AFL crowd attendance rises thanks to cheaper food, improved match times and Tigers’ formSamantha Landy
Herald-Sun
June 14, 2015 FOOTY fans are flocking back to the MCG in droves this season, spurred by cheap food, improved match times — and the success of the mighty Tigers.
A Sunday Herald Sun analysis of matches played in Victoria to Round 10 shows the ’G is on track to get its mojo back this year, after a lacklustre 2014 saw crowd numbers drop by more than 11 per cent.
About 1.18 million people have flooded the gates over 22 matches this season — an average of 53,569, or 8 per cent higher than this time last year.
The MCG’s stellar crowds have ensured AFL attendance statewide is slightly up on 12 months ago, despite crowds at Etihad and Simonds stadiums dropping by 4 and 11 per cent respectively.
The combined attendance at all three stadiums has risen 5 per cent on this time last year, with 1.7 million people attending across 44 games — the biggest improvement of all the states.
The AFL says its efforts to make footy more fan friendly by ditching some of its experimental match times, reducing exorbitant food prices and introducing fun initiatives such as kick-to-kick on Sundays were reflected in the improved crowd numbers.
Fans agree the AFL deserves some credit for enticing them back to the stadiums, but say flying Victorian teams Richmond and Collingwood have also contributed to the ‘G’s big crowds.
The eighth-placed Tigers have played four of their five matches at the ‘G in front of 58,000-plus crowds. Two of the games attracted mammoth audiences of more than 83,000.
Richmond cheer squad chair and super fan Gerard Egan said his team’s strong finish to the 2014 season and recent form had spurred supporters into the bays of the MCG.
“If we're playing well, it’s worth a couple of extra thousand bums on seats,” he said.
AFL Fans Association president Gerry Eeman agreed the form of the top Victorian sides had upped attendances.
He said affordable grub at the Melbourne grounds was also a factor — particularly at the MCG, where the cost of hot dogs, chips, Four ‘N Twenty pies and other popular items has dropped by as much as 40 per cent.
Better match scheduling had also made more people want to come to the footy, but fans still wanted earlier games on Friday nights, he said.
Mr Eeman was torn on whether some clubs’ efforts to offer better ‘match day experiences’ were having any impact.
“Things like Captain Carlton riding in the hovercraft pre-match probably make kids happier to go with their parents. It also adds value,” he said.
Etihad Stadium communications manager Bill Lane said the poor early season form of AFL giants Carlton and, to an extent, Essendon had slightly marred its crowd numbers.
But the stadium’s cheap food offerings on Sundays — especially $3 pies — and the availability of free water and wi-fi had been a winner.
AFL general manager of clubs and operations Travis Auld said initiatives such as kick-to-kick and free admission for kids on Sundays had been well received by fans.
He said Victoria was the only state to boast increased attendance so far this year, with SA, WA and NSW enjoying similar numbers to last year and Queensland crowds taking a slight hit.
“Overall it’s been quite a positive start to the season, we just need to continue it,” he said.
Crowds at Victorian stadiums. Source: Suppliedhttp://www.news.com.au/national/afl-crowd-attendance-rises-thanks-to-cheaper-food-improved-match-times-and-tigers-form/story-e6frfkp9-1227396490343
