So you want to go to the AFL Grand Final? Unless you work for an official sponsor or know someone in the AFL inner-sanctum, be prepared to drop a lot of cash for the experience.
GWS Giants and Geelong Cats members needed to already have entered the Grand Final ballot after winning through to the preliminary final.
Sydney Swans members have their chance to register for the ballot tomorrow (September 21) while Western Bulldogs members have an extra day (September 22).
This is the last chance for the ‘cheapest’ tickets for those members.
To enter the ballot you need to spend a minimum of $5, because, well, of course you do. Ticketek says so and it’s due to what they claim is ‘administration costs’.
So even if you sign up to the ballot and your team loses this week, bad luck, that administration fee is not returning to your pocket.
At the registration stage, you will need to select the category you’d prefer and the number of tickets (one per member barcode).
You have better chances of getting tickets if you tick the box that says you’re happy to receive the next available category up until a standing room ticket.
Obviously, standing room is the cheapest ticket option. According to the Sydney Swans website, it will set you back $150 for an adult. Restricted view seats are also $150.
From there, prices jump dramatically. $180 for category seven (up in the MCG bleachers), $235 for category six and so on and so forth until you get to $399 for an adult ticket in category 1.
If you miss the ballot you basically have to hope a family member or friend gives up their ticket or select an official AFL Grand Final package.
These packages come at a minimum price tag of $925 and guarantee you a ticket and some kind of entertainment either through a pre-match or post-match function such as a Grand Final breakfast, bar or live band experience.
If you want a category 1 seat with pre-game lunch, some entertainment and be a part of the post-game celebrations, then you’re looking at “Grand Final Greatness” package that will set you back a cool $2,640 per person.
Those lucky enough to have full Melbourne Cricket Club membership and who weren’t successful in the MCC August ballot can turn up to the ground on the day in a first come, first serve basis.
Noahoscar986
Roar Rookie
I checked on Ticketek, but there tickets were sold out, then I bought this match ticket from Florida Ticket Station Coupons, please next time tell us about tickets before 2 to 3 months before.
Nicki Sartor
Guest
Very upset have been an Adelaide crow member for 18 years & now have accomodation in Melbourne for grand final which of course is non refundable. But cant get tickets after failing the ballot waited for my chance to buy tickets only to find all sold out. As i work for myself cant ask if company has any to hand out. Devastated
Penny
Guest
I have not yet been to watch the Tigers win a Grand Final but agree with a lot of these comments. From my understanding you have to weigh up what is most important to you; 1. Actually being there at the game and above all saying you were there to watch ,whether you sit or stand 'shouting out from the barracks' attending the game is most important to you. 2. Watching your AFL team play means more to you when shared with family and friends e.g. the feeling of elation 'winning a premiership' at a good old fashioned BBQ, a yelling match in front of the TV with those closest to you or a local pub/public viewing somewhere! As I'm 38 and have been waiting my whole life (37 years since the last) to see Richmond win a Premiership with a scarf I've worn since being 7 years old I'm trying to work out what will resignate more to me; being at the Grand Final game 2017 if Richmond make it, or being with the family and friends who want to witness me, their 'die hard tigers supporter fan' watch the game shouting and barracking?!!! I want an amazing experience on the day above all if Richmond gets in! That is actually what's most important to me! And whether they win or lose in my eyes they are championship players on that field and are all winners! It's going to happen in the next few years!!! Like most Tiger's supporters it's going to be next to impossible to get tickets to this Grand Final unless you've already secured some from the season start or have 'contacts on the Inside'! Which I don't have mind you! This is purely based on the game being less fan orientated over the years and more and more Corporate based! Which is ruining the GF experience overall for loyal and loving fans! Please Corporate groups give the tickets to supporters first! There will be a lot more fun in your box!! The best game to date I have attended was definitely the recent qualifying victory over Geelong! I can't begin to describe the emotion of singing our song again and again from level four of the MCG all the way to the train station!! When I've heard in the past many say the finals games up to the GF are a lot more enjoyable as our teams battle it out desperate for a win, it was exhilarating to experience this! This now designates with me. The passion is palpable with an electric atmosphere that is magnetising as it draws you in more and more to cheer in support! It just can't help but get your heart racing!! Not for the faint hearted! I just can't see how attending a Grand Final would top that experience but am happy to be enlightened! I'm so immensely proud of Richmond this year. We've waited so long to get this far. Go Tiges!!! Please let me know your thoughts? Should I attend the GF if we make it through this Saturday's semi against GWS? Yes, am going! If so, has anyone got any contacts they can put me onto to get tickets?! It's going to be a desperate situation for Richmond fans like me!! Thanks for reading my post. I love AFL! Our great Australian Game! Get on board! Go Tiges! :-) Penny
Jack
Guest
to whom is out there in 2017 im desperate if the swans make it to the grand final to get 4 tickets please let me know if you could do this thanks Jack
Jann
Guest
Hi Its sad for all WB members that went through the process twice, paid the $5 registration fee and received no ticket. Imagine how much money ticketek made from all the unsuccessful people in the ballot. I am willing to pay a fair amount for my ticket but annoyed that my registration was nowhere to be found , but was given an id and receipt number. Have flown back from Scotland and will pay a decent amount for a couple of tickets so hopefully anyone with any ideas , please advise Thanks Jann
Neo
Guest
But why? Why is it that "ordinary fans" who cannot afford exorbitant mrmbership fees are treated like second-class citizens and forced to cowtow to the "needs" of employees of corporate sponsors and the megarich, who I am 100% sure are nowhere near as passionate as the thousands out there who would go, and would pay a few hundred dollars for the privilege, but are simply "not allowed to" because of the vullshit way the AFL has decided to organise this..? What a joke! It's quite some compsrison that the NRL is willing to treat these so-called "ordinary fans" as people who actually deserve to be able to attend the game...
Lilly
Guest
My husband and I are Bulldogs members and we pay extra each year so we will be guaranteed a GF ticket, should the Doggies get through. This year we went through the usual registration and ballot and almost $600 later, we have seats - ON LEVEL 4!!! While I'm happy that he'll be able to see his team in the GF, I'd be reluctant to go through this again, seeing we'd get a better view of the match watching it with friends at home. I'm happy to pay for the privilege of being at the game and would pay more if we could get decent seats, but $600 for level 4! Never again
Boban Fett
Guest
If you come over from interstate you have to worry about accomodation too. Why can't the AFL allow Waverley to be used as a shanty town for camping
Matthew H
Guest
Really have to wonder if it's worth getting a ticket in the first place... I've been to two grand finals - the 1998 decider between Crows and NM and the 2007 debacle. For 1998 a friend won a competition and took me - we had the Brisbane Lions Breakfast and then the game in a 'super' box or whatever the ones behind glass are. Not as wonderful as one might think, don't get me wrong here it was good but not like one may anticipate. Basically there were the three of us and we didn't really know anyone and nobody wanted to meet new people. Long lasting memories were the carpark on the way in (bogans bashing each other), the top of the Great Southern Stand at 1/2 time (all the Vics saying "thanks for coming over, sorry you are gonna lose") and the piles of discarded NM paraphernalia outside the ground (one of them burning). I also managed to fluke the result and margin so picked up a little win. The 2007 debacle was just ridiculous, went in a regular seat with my boss (I bought it) who didn't want to talk at all, was a super one-sided game and was over in approx 20 secs when Chapman took a big big screamer and Geelong just rolled, still can't believe Chapman didn't get the Norm Smith. Basically not much of a match and not worth the admission. Lasting memory was seeing Sammy Mitchell after the game (seriously) jealously watching the Geelong boys get their medals. Maybe I'm weird but I wouldn't ever go back to an AFL GF, in fact I rarely go to AFL anymore. When I recall all the GFs these two that I went to don't stand out and they cost a lot of money (in one way or another). Best way to watch a GF is with mates, preferably on a bit of a holiday somewhere. Best one I have seen was in 1997 in Tassie at a pub - didn't really know anyone but ended up on a boat in the harbor after the game with about 30 people!
Tanami Mehmet
Guest
I'd just wait until the weekend to work out what to do. If Sydney and GWS make it you should be able to buy a ticket at the gate.