AFL crowds exceed 400,000 for third time during 2024 season
The AFL has announced Round 8 was the third highest attended round on record, just one week after Round 7 became the second highest attended round on record.
This marks the third time this season crowds have surpassed the 400,000 figure (Round 1, Round 7 and Round 8), with 2,818,608 spectators attending the 2024 AFL Premiership season so far.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said to see back-to-back record-breaking crowds has been a tremendous effort from everyone across the competition.
“Round 8 was simply incredible on all levels. It started strong with the Showdown in Adelaide followed by traditional rivals Carlton and Collingwood in front of 88,000 at the MCG on Friday night. That momentum followed us into the weekend, with the Swans hosting their highest home crowd of the year and the round finishing with the biggest ever Q-Clash in Queensland.” Mr Dillon said.
“I want to thank our fans for coming out in such huge numbers across both Round 7 and 8. To go back-to-back with record breaking numbers is a credit to just how great the footy has been,
“Seeing our crowds continue to reach these records is a testament to our venues, clubs, partners and staff. On behalf of the AFL, I want to thank you all and look forward to continuing seeing you at the footy across the rest of the season.”
The SA Showdown between Adelaide and Port Adelaide on Thursday night was the third-highest crowd of all-time for the fixture and highest Crows home crowd against the Power ever (52,106).
The Carlton v Collingwood crowd of 88,362 was the best all-time attendance for the fixture, surpassing Rd23, 2022 (88,287) as well as being Carlton's second highest AFL H&A crowd ever.
The Sydney Swans attracted their highest home crowd of 2024 with 40,337 attending the SCG. It was also the largest ever Sydney Derby attendance surpassing Rd1,2012 (38,203).
To close out the round, a record Q-Clash attendance of 30,285 showed up to the Gabba, surpassing Rd15, 2023 (27,170).
Top 10 attended AFL rounds all-time
1. Rd 1 2024 – 413,405
2. Rd 7 2024 – 408,433
3. Rd 8 2024 – 403,452
4. Rd 1 2017 – 400,401
5. Rd 3 2018 – 393,537
6. Rd 1 2023 – 392,248
7. Rd 5 2017 – 391,980
8. Rd 5 2018 – 381,880
9. Rd 1 2019 – 380,789
10. Rd 1 2018 – 375,564
