AFL on target to break 6.5 million attendance record

During a highly-successful year the AFL is on track for its best season ever as it closes in on the 6.5 million attendance record.

Earlier this week, AFL confirmed this year’s current attendance numbers were looking likely to smash the 2011 record figure of 6,525,071.

Referring to current trends, an AFL spokesman has advised that additional 200,000 fans are likely to attend this year compared with 2016.

As reported by The Australian, Essendon, which plays at the 53,000-capacity Etihad Stadium has this year been the AFL’s biggest draw this year, replacing Collingwood and Richmond who had been the game’s biggest draws in the previous two seasons.

The Bombers, who have attracted 863,226 people to their 18 games this season, are on track to bring in more than one million fans this year, at an average of almost 48,000 - a 31% rise on 2016.

Last year’s leaders, Collingwood, brought in 972,219 supporters, an average of 44,192 per game.

Commenting on the resurgence of the club, which had been severely impacted by doping sagas over recent seasons, Essendon Chief Executive Xavier Campbell told The Australian “the passion and resilience of this supporter group can never be underestimated. They continue to show that they are the best in the business, they care so much about this team and club, and it’s a privilege for all of us to play for them and have them behind us.”

By contrast, the NRL has seen a 2.5% drop in attendance from last season, with an average crowd of 15,117.

Image: Essendon's 2017 season launch.

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