AFL give children free entry to Sunday footy, freezes ticket prices, axes complicated seating classesPeter Rolfe
afl.com.au
December 18, 2014SUNDAY footy will be free for children, complicated seating classes will go, and ticket prices will be frozen as the AFL tries to reconnect with its heartland.
Children under 15 will be able to go to every Sunday match at the MCG and Etihad Stadium next season free.
General admission prices will remain at this season’s $25 and “walk-up’’ seats will be available at all games except the Anzac Day blockbuster between Essendon and Collingwood.
General manager of clubs and operations Travis Auld said the changes were for families and diehard supporters.
“We want to encourage as many families as we can to come along, and we really want to build Sundays as family day,’’ he said.
“You will start to see this real theme, particularly in Melbourne, of family Sunday ... It’s a big one for families.’’
The AFL will today confirm axing of mandatory reserve seating and match classifications.
And a revamped variable pricing model will see clubs decide what supporters pay for reserved seats, sold on a sliding price scale according to the view and perceived demand.
This could allow teams struggling to attract crowds to drop their prices in order to attract crowds.
Set prices, which must be approved by the AFL, are expected to be announced about a month before the season starts next April.
And fans will be able to go online to buy a specific seat, rather than a seat in a zone.
All clubs, venues and ticket agencies have agreed to the more fan-friendly approach.
Mr Auld said the league recognised it had “caused some angst among our supporters’’.
“It got too difficult for supporters who just want to buy a ticket to a game to do so,’’ he said.
“We need to make it as easy and affordable as we can.”
Kick-to-kick on the MCG after some matches, curtain-raiser games and improved LED signage at grounds are among other initiatives intended to bring fans back to AFL matches next season.
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