A working party, including Jackson, was put together by the AFL to address the issue and this week we have taken a significant step in the right direction. Under the changes expected to be ratified by the AFL Commission, clubs participating on Grand Final Day will have access to a further 2500 tickets each for their members. It doesn’t completely solve the problem but it is nonetheless good news for club members – their chances of being at the MCG on Grand Final Day have been greatly enhanced. When the MCG re-development is completed that number will jump to an extra 4000 tickets per club.
These extra Grand Final tickets have been made available, initially at least, through clubs relinquishing 250 of the 1500 Grand Final tickets they are allocated by the AFL. This of course has a significant effect on club revenue – revenue critical to the balance sheets of all clubs.
To off-set these costs its has been suggested that premium seating be offered at the Grand Final - similar to seating arrangements that are put in place for any other major sporting event around the world. The increased revenue raised through the sale of these seats will then be used to off-set the revenue lost through the reduced allocation of Grand Final tickets to clubs.
It all makes more sense than previous arrangements and it is the club members that will be the winners.
