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he 2020 AFL Grand Final between Richmond and Geelong will be played in front of 30,000 fans at the Gabba in Brisbane.

AFL chief executive officer, Gillon McLachlan, confirmed the capacity on Monday morning, saying the league had taken advice from the Queensland Government on what the venue could safely hold.

McLachlan said the AFL pushed for the Grand Final to hold closer to 38,000 people, however he respected the Queensland government’s decision to put a maximum of 30,000 fans.

“[The AFL did some] gentle pushing,” McLachlan said.

“As we’ve done all year, we respected the advice and decision of the chief health officer and the government,” he said.

The increase of fans at the Grand Final will be a much-welcomed boost for the AFL, which is likely to draw in the most revenue from ticket sales all season.

Last Saturday, Geelong played in front of 29,121 fans in their preliminary win over Brisbane.

McLachlan described the feeling as electric.

“The atmosphere at the Gabba on Saturday night was electric, it felt full,” McLachlan said.

“It’ll be an unbelievable Grand Final atmosphere and we’re very pleased to be here,” he said.

McLachlan also said a silver lining from the COVID-19-affected season was that Australian football was now “in the conversation” with rugby league as the number one code in Queensland.

“There’s a record number of junior teams in Queensland,” McLachlan said.

“Ratings are up 35% and I’m really hopeful that will translate to growth at the community level.

“We’re going to invest even more financially in Queensland.

“The ratings were unbelievable over the weekend.

“We’re now the number one watched code, even in Queensland as well.

“The momentum is incredible.

“Right now, it feels like we’re pretty close to being Queensland’s game,” he said.