Navigating the AFL Grand Final Ticket Distribution

With the excitement building around the upcoming Australian Football League (AFL) Grand Final, many fans are eager to secure a ticket. However, obtaining these coveted tickets is not a straightforward process as there is no public sale. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which can accommodate 100,024 spectators for AFL matches, does not release grand final tickets to the general public. Instead, tickets are allocated through a complex system involving club and league affiliations, sponsors, and broadcasters.

Members of the Sydney Swans were informed on Saturday about their success in acquiring a portion of the 17,500 tickets distributed to the club for reaching the grand final. Similarly, Brisbane Lions supporters were on edge on Sunday as their ballot results were drawn, determining which fans could attend the monumental match on the ensuing Saturday.

AFL gold members who support either the Sydney Swans or the Brisbane Lions had the opportunity to purchase tickets on Sunday. Leftover tickets, if any, were set to be available on Monday, with a slim chance that AFL silver members might access them on Tuesday. Brisbane Lions reported a membership of 63,268, while the Sydney Swans accounted for 72,746 members this season. Only a few of these members hold premium memberships that guarantee them grand final tickets, leading to significant disappointment among fans without tickets.

The distribution of grand final tickets is divided among various groups. Approximately 75,000 tickets are allocated to members of the competing teams, AFL associates, the Melbourne Cricket Club, and other affiliates with the eligibility to purchase guaranteed tickets. Recently, around 1,000 tickets were reallocated from corporate sales to the clubs competing in the grand final.

Roughly 25,000 tickets are distributed among AFL clubs, sponsors, and broadcasters. These groups utilize the tickets according to their discretion, following approval from the AFL for any promotional activities. Additionally, the Melbourne Cricket Club, due to its hosting role at the MCG, receives an allocation of tickets for its members, although not all members are guaranteed access. Only full members, or those eligible under certain categories with updated records, can participate in the secret ballot for tickets, conducted in early September.

The AFL has organized a series of events leading up to the grand final, including the 2024 AFL Footy Festival outside the MCG, opening Wednesday and continuing until Saturday. A grand final parade featuring all players and participants will proceed through Melbourne on Friday, culminating at the AFL’s Footy Festival location.

The highly anticipated grand final match will take place on Saturday, September 28, at 2:30pm AEST, featuring the Sydney Swans against the Brisbane Lions. Broadcasts will be available on several channels, including Channel 7, Fox Footy, Foxtel, and Kayo, with coverage also streamed live on various platforms.