Record-Breaking Attendance Marks a Thrilling Start to the 2023 AFL Finals

The 2023 AFL finals commenced with remarkable attendance figures that made headlines across the nation. Nearly 300,000 ardent fans congregated in stadiums, setting an all-time AFL attendance record for a week of finals. This extraordinary turnout underscores the fervent commitment of the diverse fan base, setting the stage for an exciting finals season.

Unprecedented attendance was evident at the MCG, with over 92,000 spectators on both Thursday and Friday nights. The Collingwood vs. Melbourne qualifying final saw another staggering 92,636 attendees, the highest since 1964 for this fixture. This was followed by a record-breaking crowd of 92,026 the next day as Carlton outperformed Sydney, surpassing a record from 1986.

Saturday afternoon drew an enthusiastic crowd of 68,465, while the Gabba hosted a sold-out crowd of 36,020 on Saturday night, mirroring the intensity on the field. The cumulative attendance for the four weekend games reached an impressive 289,147, surpassing the 2018 record.

This weekend marked a historic moment, featuring three finals at the iconic MCG for the first time since 2013. As week one concluded successfully, excitement grows for the upcoming semi-finals: Melbourne vs. Carlton at the MCG and Port Adelaide vs. Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval. Fans eagerly await their chance to secure tickets for these highly anticipated matchups. The 2023 AFL season witnessed not only record-breaking finals but also a milestone during the regular season, with attendance surpassing seven million for the first time.