AFL has hit a new club membership record of 1,264,952 members in 2023, which surpasses last year’s record by 6.2 per cent.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan announced the record that one in 21 Australians is a member of an AFL club on September 6.
The 2023 total number consists of 852,678 adults, 103,966 concession members and 308,308 juniors.
Mr McLachlan said it has been a record-breaking season on so many levels.
“Quite simply we have the greatest game in the world, and the most loyal and passionate fans in world sport,” he said.
“It has been a record-breaking season on so many levels, and it is club membership that is the marker that signifies our fans’ deep connection with their clubs.
“The 18 clubs do an unbelievable job in creating a sense of belonging and bringing their fans along for the journey.
“On behalf of the AFL, I’d like to thank all our fans and every club member whose support is the backbone of our game.”
AFL club membership has increased 30 times in the past 32 years, with the exception of the 2000 and 2020 seasons.
Fifteen clubs broke their all-time records, including Adelaide Crows, Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle, Geelong Cats, Gold Coast SUNS, GWS Giants, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, St Kilda, Sydney Swans, and the Western Bulldogs.
Collingwood, West Coast Eagles, and Richmond led the 2023 membership tallies with all three clubs surpassing 100,000 members and Collingwood setting a new all-time AFL club record with 106,470 members.
Home and away attendance for the 2023 season also broke the all-time record as 7,475,145 fans attended the season.
The average crowd per round was 311,464 fans, and the largest single game crowd was 95,179 for Anzac Day at the MCG.
