3 min read

AFLW Season Start Sees Audiences Grow 30%

image

Following the opening round of the 2022 AFLW season, the AFL has released figures highlighting the growth of the league.

Notably, the league has recorded a total of 1,007,481 fans attend an AFLW game since the lockout between Carlton and Collingwood five years ago which sparked the growth of the league.

In terms of broadcast figures, the opening round of the 2022 season drew in 954,000 viewers in total, representing a 3% increase compared to the free-to-air figures from the opening round of the 2021 season.

For the league’s venue attendance, the matches based in Melbourne saw a 30% increase compared to the opening round of 2021, while the Sydney matches recorded a 21% increase on 2021.

AFL general manager women’s football, Nicole Livingstone, said she is thankful for the clubs, athletes, fans, and broadcast partners for continuing to increase their support of the competition.

“I want to acknowledge the dedication of everyone in the football community in supporting the 2022 NAB AFL Women’s Competition,” Livingstone said.

“We are delighted in the strong start to the sixth season of AFLW which has seen high ratings, high scores and great attendances across the country at matches during the opening round.

“To see the standard of footy on display in round one and emerging talent making an immediate impact on the competition is very exciting for football and highlights the continued progression of the NAB AFLW competition.

“We extend our support to players who sustained injuries and we remain committed to continuing to invest in research and implementing best-practice injury prevention programs to support all players.

“Off the field, it is fantastic to see more people are watching AFLW, more supporters attending matches, and more girls and women pulling on the boots to play Australian football.

“To the 20,151 supporters who purchased tickets and attended round one matches, thank you.

“I also want to thank our broadcast partners, the Seven Network and Foxtel, for their ongoing support and commitment to bringing fans from right across the country closer to the game.

“While COVID-19 continues to impact our community, we will continue to be led by governments and health officials and make changes that best manage the current environment, progresses our season and protects the health and safety of those in our game and the wider community.

“It is important to acknowledge and thank all frontline workers across the country for their tireless work during this ongoing pandemic,” she said.

It's free to join the team!

Join the most engaged community in the Sports Business World.

Get all the latest news, insights, data, education and event updates.