The upcoming AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday, October 15th, 2023 is one of the most anticipated games of the season. With both teams performing well this year, demand for tickets is expected to be high. Many fans are wondering – is the match already sold out?
Current Ticket Availability
According to the official AFL ticketing website, there are still tickets available for purchase for the Melbourne vs Carlton match this Sunday at the MCG. However, ticket options are limited, especially for good seats in high demand areas of the stadium.
As of October 12th, the following ticket options were still available:
| Section | Tickets Remaining |
|---|---|
| Level 4 Bays | Less than 100 |
| Level 3 Back Rows | Less than 50 |
| Level 2 Wings | Less than 20 |
So while not completely sold out yet, tickets are over 90% sold and availability is very limited, especially for premium seating options closer to the field.
Expected Ticket Demand
This match is expected to be in extremely high demand from fans of both teams for several reasons:
- Melbourne are the defending AFL premiers and have only lost one game this season, making them hot favorites.
- Carlton have exceeded expectations this season and are sitting in the top 4, creating optimism amongst their fanbase.
- The last time these teams played in Round 5, Carlton beat Melbourne in a huge upset – Melbourne will be seeking redemption.
- With a capacity of over 100,000, the MCG is the biggest stadium in the AFL and the epicenter of Australian rules football.
Considering it’s likely to be a close, high-stakes contest between two blockbuster teams at the MCG, this is shaping up to be one of the most popular regular season matches of the year.
History of Sellouts When These Teams Meet
Matches between Melbourne and Carlton have historically attracted huge crowds and often sold out when held at the MCG. Here is a brief history of recent sellouts:
- In Round 18, 2018 – over 90,000 tickets were sold for a Saturday night match at the MCG between Melbourne and Carlton. Melbourne won by 5 points in front of a capacity crowd.
- A Saturday afternoon match in Round 5, 2015 also capped out at over 90,000 attendees. Carlton defeated Melbourne by 22 points on that occasion.
- Prior to that, Round 21 clashes in 2011 and 2012 both attracted full houses of 90,000+ fans at the MCG.
This consistent ticket demand and frequent sellouts demonstrate how popular matches between these well-supported clubs are. With both teams going well this season, a similar crowd is expected this weekend.
Forecasted Crowd Numbers
Given ticket sales so far and the trend of sellouts when Melbourne plays Carlton at the MCG, it’s anticipated that this weekend’s match will sell out all 90,000+ seats prior to bounce down.
The MCG seating capacity varies slightly depending on event configuration, but for AFL matches it is typically:
| Section | Seating Capacity |
|---|---|
| Lower Bowl | 30,000 |
| Upper Bowl | 60,000 |
| Total | 90,000+ |
Given the level of demand, it’s very likely this entire capacity will be filled by the time the match starts on Sunday afternoon.
Official crowd numbers will of course only be confirmed after the match, but all signs point towards another huge audience.
How to Still Get Tickets
For fans still hoping to secure tickets to this anticipated matchup, there are a few options still worth pursuing:
- AFL Ticket Resale Platform – Tickets are sometimes relisted for resale here leading up to matches, with pricing determined by demand.
- Club Member Ticket Resales – Many clubs allow season ticket members unable to attend to resell their seats.
- Corporate Ticket Releases – Any last minute corporate ticket blocks sometimes get released publicly close to the match.
- MCG Ticket Office – A very limited number of tickets are sometimes held at the stadium box office for purchase on match day.
Given how close to a sellout this game already is, any tickets available through these channels are likely to be snapped up very quickly. Securing one will require persistence and good fortune.
Other Ways to Experience the Match
If tickets cannot be found in time, fans still have plenty of options to experience the action between the Demons and Blues this weekend:
- Watch the live broadcast on free-to-air TV or pay TV
- Head to a local Melbourne pub or sports bar showing the match
- Listen live on radio
- Follow along with live scoring updates online or on mobile apps
- Connect with other fans through AFL social media communities
- Soak up the match day atmosphere at Yarra Park outside the MCG
While being at the stadium would be ideal, the game will be accessible through numerous broadcast channels for those unable to secure the limited remaining tickets.
Conclusion
The highly anticipated AFL match between Melbourne and Carlton at the MCG this Sunday October 15th is poised to sell out based on huge fan demand and limited remaining tickets. A capacity crowd of 90,000+ is expected after a long trend of packed houses when these rivals meet. Some tickets may still be available through resale channels, but fans are recommended to act quickly as options are disappearing. While a sellout crowd creates an incredible atmosphere, those who miss out can still enjoy watching or listening to what promises to be a fiercely contested clash between two top teams.