The AFL says hesitancy sparked by the pandemic is partly responsible for a sharp drop-off in crowds so far this season, with more than 700,000 fewer people attending the footy than in the first eight rounds of 2019.
Total crowds from rounds one to eight this season compared to the same period in 2019 are down by over 737,000 people.
However, the AFL notes that 2019 was a record season for attendances and on a game-by-game average basis crowds are only down by around 8,000 people per game versus 2019. The average per game in 2019 was just over 36,000 and in 2021 it is hovering between 28,000 and 29,000.
AFL research, according to a league spokesman, also shows some fans are still hesitant to venture back out to games. There’s also uncertainty around interstate travel, uncertainty around travelling on public transport and technological hurdles for some fans when buying tickets.
Up until this round fans in Victoria have not been able to scan their membership cards to sit in their reserved seats, which has made it hard for people to go to the footy in the groups they usually would.
The AFL say those without smartphones can work with their clubs to enter games, given some clubs are issuing membership cards electronically this season.
Richmond have been contacted for comment.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/not-so-marvellous-afl-optimistic-despite-drop-in-crowd-numbers-20210516-p57scw.html