89% rise in AFLW club membership numbers

The AFL has reported a “massive 89% increase” increase in AFLW club memberships to reach record levels, advising that “support for elite women's football has reached new heights … almost doubling over the last year to surpass 48,000 for the first time”.

In a statement released yesterday, AFL advised that a total of 48,712 fans “across the country became a member of their favourite AFLW club this season, breaking the previous record of 25,782 set in the 2021 NAB AFLW Season. The new figure equates to an 89% increase year on year.”

Newly licensed AFLW club the Sydney Swans topped the overall membership tally on 4,388 members, followed by the Adelaide Crows (4,219) and St Kilda (4,055).

In addition, 14 AFLW clubs broke their previous club membership records, including the Adelaide Crows, Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Geelong Cats, Fremantle, GWS Giants, Gold Coast Suns, Hawthorn, Melbourne, Richmond, St Kilda, North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos and the Western Bulldogs.

The 2022 AFLW club membership tally reflects the results of 17 AFLW clubs, with Essendon commencing its inaugural AFLW membership campaign later in the year.

Explaining that the new membership record capped off a great end to the sixth season of the NAB AFL Women's competition, AFL Executive General Manager Customer and Commercial, Kylie Rogers noted “the support for women's football both at a grassroots and elite level has been significant over the last few years, so to see this support extend to achieve record-breaking AFLW club membership this NAB AFLW season is outstanding.

"Being an AFLW club member isn't just about receiving match-day access and benefits from your respective club, it's a symbol of showing up and supporting women and girls in sport more broadly, which has never been more important.

"It's been a fantastic season of women's football so far and we're excited to see this momentum continue this weekend for the 2022 NAB AFLW Grand Final between Adelaide Crows and Melbourne at Adelaide Oval which is sure to be a thrilling encounter."

The AFL has also revealed a series of ticket promotions in advance of this weekend’s 2022 NAB AFL Women’s Grand Final at the Adelaide Oval.

Tickets for game between Adelaide Crows and Melbourne this Saturday (9th April), are capped at $10, with free entry for under-18s. Free entry to the 53,500-capacity arena is also being provided to competing AFLW Club Members and community AFL participants.

Image: West Coast Eagles players engage with their fans.