AFL 2022: League breaks all-time membership record as three clubs soar past 100,000 members

Three clubs have already cracked the 100,000-member mark — who will be next? We reveal your club’s membership figure and the next in line to reach six figures.

Collingwood fans celebrate during the 2022 AFL first qualifying final.

Three clubs have surpassed 100,000 members in one season for the first time in AFL history as West Coast again edged out Richmond to top the league’s membership ladder.

In another record-breaking year for AFL membership after two Covid-hit seasons, West Coast, Richmond and Collingwood all surged past 100,000 members in 2022.

On the back of 14 clubs recording record memberships in this season, loyal supporters helped the league soar to a record overall membership tally of 1,190,671.

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The AFL’s figure was an increase on last year’s record of 1,113,441, when it surpassed 1.1 million members for the first time.

Despite a challenging season on-field after the club finished second-last, the Eagles topped the league’s membership ladder for the third consecutive year with 102,897 members.

Down on last year’s club record of 106,422, it was the third time the Eagles have broken the 100,000 mark.

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Collingwood fans had plenty to cheer about this season, even if they weren’t always happy. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Richmond was in second place again with 100,792 members – also down on last year’s figure of 105,084 – as it passed 100,000 members for the fifth year in a row after becoming the first club to do so in 2018.

Collingwood was in third place with a club record 100,384 members, becoming the third club in history to pass 100,000 members on the back of the team’s top-four finish under new coach Craig McRae.

Overall, 14 of the league’s 18 clubs broke membership records in 2022 – Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon, Hawthorn, Geelong, Melbourne, St Kilda, Port Adelaide, Fremantle, Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne, Brisbane Lions, GWS Giants and Gold Coast.

It was a jump on last season when 10 clubs broke membership records.

The Magpies achieved the biggest growth among all clubs with their final tally up 17,857 on last year, ahead of premier Melbourne (up 13,296), Carlton (up 7474) and Sydney (up 6205).

In all, there was membership growth among 16 of the 18 clubs.

AFLW membership also increased again to a record 48,712 members, up 89 per cent on last year.

Richmond fans turned out in big numbers again in 2022. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan thanked footy fans for their support.

“Footy’s bounce back in 2022 has revived the heartbeat in cities around the country and that is testament to all supporters and members barracking for their clubs,” McLachlan said.

“Over 1.19 million members, over 6.1 million fans attending the matches around the country in the home and away season, a remarkable 263,000 fans attended week one of the finals, sell outs for three of the four matches.

“The connection that footy supporters have with their clubs is unmatched in global sport and I am so incredibly proud of all the supporters of our game around the country.

“On behalf of the AFL, I’d like to thank all our fans and every club member whose passion and support makes footy the greatest game in the world.”

The AFL’s official membership figures were tallied following an August 31 deadline.

The league’s 2022 tally consisted of 818,221 adults, 98,871 concession and 273,579 junior members.

While Gold Coast finished at the bottom of the membership ladder, it was the third straight year the Suns had broken their membership record – and 56 per cent growth since 2019.

AFL executive general manager of customer and commercial Kylie Rogers praised the work of clubs to grow their membership bases.

“The 18 clubs do a fantastic job of engaging, empowering and growing their membership bases,” Rogers said.

“While there were continued challenges early in the season, the members showed up in huge numbers at our games, and the clubs worked with their fan bases and brought their members into the inner sanctum across the year.”

Originally published as AFL 2022: League breaks all-time membership record as three clubs soar past 100,000 members