Getting tickets to the AFL grand final is the dream of many footy fans across Australia. As the biggest game of the season, demand for tickets is incredibly high while availability is extremely limited. If you want any chance of securing the coveted grand final tickets, you need to understand the process and be prepared to act fast.
When do grand final tickets go on sale?
The on-sale date for AFL grand final tickets varies from year to year, but typically goes on sale in the week leading up to the grand final. The exact on-sale date and time will be announced by the AFL once the grand final matchup is set after the preliminary finals.
In recent years, tickets have gone on sale on the Tuesday or Wednesday prior to the grand final at Ticketek. Keep an eye on the AFL website and sign up for Ticketek’s newsletter to stay updated on the specific on-sale date and time.
How can I get tickets?
There are a few main ways to get grand final tickets:
- AFL and club member presale – Current members of AFL clubs get first access to purchase tickets
- General public sale via Ticketek – Remaining tickets go on sale to the general public
- Corporate hospitality packages – More expensive packages that combine tickets with food, drinks and entertainment
- Ticket reseller platforms – Buying tickets from reseller sites like Viagogo, though prices are often inflated
AFL and club member presale
All AFL and club members are given an exclusive presale window to purchase grand final tickets before the general public. Presale dates are announced by the AFL and participating clubs. Check the member section of your club’s website for details.
This presale normally takes place in the days leading up to the public on-sale date. Have your member details ready to access the presale and be ready to act quickly as tickets sell out fast.
General public sale
Any remaining tickets that are not sold during club member presales go on sale to the general public through Ticketek. This normally takes place in the week before the grand final.
Demand massively exceeds supply for AFL grand final tickets, so you can expect tickets to sell out extremely quickly during the public on-sale. Having Ticketek accounts for yourself and any friends ready will help make the ticket buying process faster.
Corporate hospitality packages
AFL clubs and authorised partners offer luxury corporate hospitality packages that bundle grand final tickets with pre-match entertainment, food and drinks. These are available to businesses and the public, but come at a premium price.
Hospitality packages normally go on sale months before the grand final. Do your research to find the right package for your budget.
Ticket reseller platforms
Tickets can also be purchased through authorised ticket reselling platforms like Viagogo and StubHub. Prices are usually well above face value due to the high demand.
Be extremely cautious of scalpers or unofficial sellers claiming to have grand final tickets, as there is a huge risk you could be sold fraudulent tickets.
How much do tickets cost?
Ticket prices for the AFL grand final vary greatly depending on seat location. In 2023, tickets start from around $200 for general admin seats up to $550+ for premium category seats on the wing or near the interchange bench.
Here is an overview of 2023 AFL grand final ticket pricing categories:
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| General Admin | $200 – $300 |
| Reserved Seats | $300 – $400 |
| Premium Reserved | $400 – $550 |
These prices are for standard tickets only. Hospitality packages that include food, drinks and entertainment range from $600 per person into the thousands.
Where can I buy tickets?
AFL grand final tickets can only be purchased directly from authorised sellers. These include:
- Ticketek – The official ticketing partner of the AFL and the only authorised seller of standard grand final tickets to the general public.
- AFL club memberships – Club member ticket allocations are sold through official club websites and membership accounts.
- Corporate hospitality providers – Packages are sold through AFL clubs, MCC, and authorised partners.
- Ticket reselling platforms – Viagogo is the AFL’s official ticket resale marketplace. Other platforms like StubHub also sell grand final tickets.
Never try to buy tickets from classified sites, social media or scalpers, as fraudulent tickets are common.
Tips for securing tickets
With grand final tickets in such short supply, having a strategy will help your chances of securing the tickets you want.
Join a club membership
Becoming a member of your favourite AFL club is the best way to access exclusive member ticket allocations. Sign up well in advance of the finals to take advantage of early ticket access. Adelaide Crows, Hawthorn and Richmond normally have large member allocations.
Register for pre-sales
Sign up at Ticketek for member presales or general ticket releases. Ensure all your personal and payment details are up to date for a faster ticket buying process.
Go for high quantity, less popular seats
Opting for seats with a high ticket allocation cap can increase your chances. Upper level seats in the General Admin sections are less popular than lower premium seats.
Use multiple devices
Have friends and family try for tickets too across multiple devices. Try desktop browsers, smartphone apps and multiple internet connections.
Act immediately when tickets go on sale
Be ready at your computer the moment tickets go on sale and proceed through the ticket buying process as fast as possible. Every second counts when tickets sell out in minutes.
What are the key dates?
Here is an overview of the key dates in the lead up to the grand final to be aware of:
- Mid August – Club member ticket presales begin
- Early September – Public ticket sales open through Ticketek
- Week before the grand final – Remaining tickets go on general sale to the public
- Grand final week – Limited tickets may be released by Ticketek
Have your Ticketek accounts ready and be vigilant for any AFL announcements about further ticket releases in grand final week.
Can tickets sell out before the public on-sale?
Yes, it’s possible for grand final tickets to sell out completely during AFL and club member presales before reaching general public sale. This occurred in 2016 when Bulldogs and Swans member presales exhausted the entire ticket inventory.
In most years though, the majority of tickets are held back for the general public on-sale. But these remaining tickets still tend to sell out extremely quickly.
What are the attendance numbers?
The AFL grand final is played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground each year. The MCG has a total seating capacity of over 100,000, making it the largest stadium in the Southern Hemisphere.
Tickets are divided between competing club member allocations, AFL allocations, corporate packages and general public sale. Here are the approximate ticket numbers:
- 25,000 tickets to each competing club
- 30,000 tickets for AFL officials, partners and club packages
- 20,000 tickets for public sale
This brings the typical grand final attendance to around 100,000 spectators on the day. The record attendance was set in 2018 with over 100,022 people watching Melbourne defeat Collingwood.
Can I get accessible seating?
Yes, the MCG and Ticketek do make provisions for accessible seating requirements. When purchasing tickets, you can request wheelchair bays, companion seats and accessible seating areas.
Specific allocation limits may apply, so contact Ticketek directly if you require accessible grand final tickets. Proof of eligibility may be required.
Can I get concession tickets?
Concession discounts on grand final tickets are available for juniors under 15, students with ID and health care card holders. Have your proof of eligibility ready when purchasing tickets to access discounted rates.
Concession discounts typically apply to the cheaper ticket categories like General Admin and Reserved Seats. Premium ticket categories may not have concession prices.
Are family tickets available?
There are no specific family ticket products for the AFL grand final. Children under 15 do have access to cheaper concession pricing when purchasing tickets in eligible sections.
Some corporate hospitality packages may offer deals for families. Otherwise, you will need to purchase adult tickets at full price for any family members over 15 years old.
Can I get refunds or exchanges?
Given the extremely limited availability, grand final tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged. Only in extreme circumstances like event cancellation may refunds be provided.
To avoid wasted tickets, only purchase tickets you are 100% certain of using. Avoid speculative purchases for friends and reselling at inflated prices is also prohibited.
What are the risks of scalped tickets?
There are major risks associated with purchasing AFL grand final tickets from unauthorised resellers. Fake tickets are common and you may be denied entry despite having paid inflated prices.
The safest option is always buy direct from Ticketek or via the AFL’s official resale partner Viagogo. Avoid Gumtree, Facebook and street scalpers where fraud is highly likely.
When will tickets sell out?
Due to the small allocation available, AFL grand final tickets can sell out extremely quickly. Here is an overview of when tickets typically sell out each year:
- During club member presales – Usually within hours
- Upon general public on-sale – Within minutes
- Through corporate packages – Weeks or months in advance
Act immediately once tickets go on sale to avoid missing out. Have all your ticket buying accounts and details ready to go beforehand.
Do tickets guarantee entry?
Yes, having a genuine ticket guarantees your entry into the grand final even if the stadium reaches capacity. Ticketek and the AFL will honour all legitimately purchased tickets.
Counterfeit scalped tickets run the risk of being denied at the gate. Buy only through official AFL sellers to ensure your ticket’s validity.
What dates are the finals in 2023?
The 2023 AFL finals series schedule is:
- Week 1 – 1st and 2nd Qualifying Finals on September 7-8
- Week 2 – 1st and 2nd Semi Finals on September 15-16
- Week 3 – Preliminary Finals on September 22-23
- Grand Final – September 30, 2023 at MCG
This means the 2023 grand final tickets will likely go on sale around September 25 during the week leading up to the big game.
Who is predicted to make the 2023 grand final?
Based on the latest betting odds and expert predictions, these are the favourites to reach the 2023 AFL grand final:
- Geelong Cats – Top premiership favourites after a dominant home and away season. Expected to finish top 2 and qualify for home preliminary final.
- Melbourne Demons – Defending premiers and always a threat to go back-to-back.
- Fremantle Dockers – Surged up the ladder in 2022 and can challenge for a maiden flag.
- Brisbane Lions – Building momentum and boasts finals experience.
- Carlton Blues – Resurgent under new coach Michael Voss after missing finals for many years.
- Richmond Tigers – The 2019-20 premiers cannot be discounted from making another grand final tilt.
Conclusion
Getting your hands on the golden tickets to the AFL grand final is no easy task. By joining as an AFL or club member, being organized with your ticket buying approach, and acting immediately once tickets are released, you can maximize your chances of success.
With high demand comes great risks of fraud and scalping, so only buy from approved sellers. Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. With persistence and caution, the thrilling experience of attending the biggest day in Aussie Rules could soon be yours.