AFL Grand Final’s MCG return welcomes largest crowd since 1971

Returning to the MCG after a two-year absence due to the pandemic, yesterday’s AFL Grand Final was played in front of a crowd of 100,024 fans - the largest attendance since 1971.

Having been held in Brisbane in 2020 and Perth in 2021, fans saw a dominant display from Geelong who stormed to a 20.13 (133) to 8.4 (52) victory against the Sydney Swans.

While crowds returned to the MCG, ratings for the afternoon fixture for free-to-air broadcaster Channel 7 were disappointing with the Cats’ win seen by 2.18 million viewers in capital cities and 2.96 million viewers nationally, with 95,000 viewers on streaming platforms.

By contrast, last year’s decider between the Melbourne Demons and Western Bulldogs in Perth pulled in 3.006 metro million viewers, while the 2020 season finale between Richmond and Geelong in Brisbane raked in 2.979 million.

Each of these clashes took place during prime time on the East Coast.

The last Grand Final to be held during the traditional afternoon timeslot, the 2019 edition between the Richmond Tigers and GWS Giants, had 2.197 million metro viewers tuning in with 2.90 million nationally.

The record MCG crowd for a sporting event stands at 121,696 for the 1970 VFL Grand Final between Carlton and Collingwood, while 118,192 attended the 1971 edition between St Kilda and Hawthorn.

Since being fully seated, seven AFL Grand Finals since 2008 have attracted attendances in excess of 100,000 fans.

The MCG’s capacity features seating for 95,000 spectators with the remainder being standing room.

The venue’s capacity will grow to 105,000 if the rebuilding of the Shane Warne Stand goes ahead.

Image: Geelong celebrate their 71-point win in yesterday's AFL Grand Final. Credit: Geelong Football Club.