AFL fans will return to the stands in Melbourne for the first time in more than 12 months, with the state government announcing Marvel Stadium and the MCG will be allowed up to 50 per cent capacity for Round 1 of the season.
This means the MCG will be permitted an even 50,000 spectators, while Marvel Stadium’s total is 28,961.
The increase will begin on Thursday, March 4, meaning nearly 30,000 fans will be able to attend an AAMI Community Series match at Marvel Stadium between Carlton and St Kilda that evening.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has thanked Premier Daniel Andrews for the decision.
“Footy fans in Victoria have been excited about getting back to matches, and we have seen that with great numbers across the opening rounds of the AFLW season,” McLachlan said.
“Our team has been working extensively behind the scenes planning for multiple scenarios, and all our venues will be ready to welcome fans back into the stands come next month.”
The AFL’s bushfire charity match in February 2020 was the last time crowds of this size have been able to attend matches in the state.
An announcement on Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium and Ballarat’s Mars Stadium, the two other venues in Victoria set to host AFL matches in 2021, has yet to be made. However, neither are fixture to host matches in Round 1.
Previously, attendance in Victoria at sporting events had been capped at 10,000.
The 2021 season is set to open with reigning premiers Richmond hosting Carlton in their traditional contest at the MCG.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I'd rather be obsessed with Gladys than Daniel. :thumbup: He's all yours.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
You seem obsessed with Gladys... Is that you Daryl?
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
The Federal govt I'm sure will hand you some bailout money, of course at the NSW tax payers expense. You can thank Gladys later. It's okay though, our GSP per capita surpasses that of the pathetic Vic economy. We can take the hit for you. Just don't run out of body bags like you did last time.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Let’s get a few more people vaccinated first, yes? Unless you want to replicate the carnage in the US....
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Oh my god – you’ve just dug your hole even deeper…
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
The difference being: you were referring to her reputation. I was referring to Andrews' competence. *golf clap*
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Seeing as Andrews’ approval ratings are high and Vic Libs are in the stink, you’ve just ridiculed your own point. *golf clap*
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
yeah...that's why her approval rating is so high and why Labor is on the stink. Try again.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Why? Her reputation is in tatters in NSW...
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Which is twice as easy as 100k...
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
When they let her out of jail?
Peter85
Roar Rookie
Pretty close. They do a checker board style seating map for the tickets on sale process. If you are in a group of 4, all seats in front and behind will be empty. They then limit you to certain parts based on how many you want in your group. All free tickets and members will have to redeem a ticket to be allocated a specific seat. With the way seats are allocated it is really hard to sell up to the 50%. This is how it all worked in Sydney for various capacity crowds.
Simply Simon
Guest
They will likely have every other seat marked out in someway.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
You mean those same 'trained professionals' in Victoria responsible for 90% of Australia's COVID-19 body count? Or the ones now advising the government to lock the state down every 5 seconds when 1 case arises?
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
The Vic govt couldn’t manage a meat raffle let alone effective contact tracing. We’ll send Gladys down when it all goes t1ts up for Andrews.
Ad-O
Guest
Seriously, we have 16 cases. Time to open the whole place up.
Mr Booze
Guest
another wannabe epidemiologist who thinks they know more than the trained professionals. head over to the UK or the US where the rest of you mor0ns belong
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
It would have to be designated seating to reduce bunching, and for the contact tracing Chris to refers to above.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I'm sure you're right, but for 50000 people?!
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
It’s about managing effective contact tracing ability after the event if required.