The Australian Football League (AFL) has announced a price freeze on entry-level tickets for the first three weeks of the 2025 Toyota AFL Finals Series. This decision continues a long-standing tradition, as prices for these tickets have remained unchanged since 2016, with Weeks 1 and 2 priced at $35 and Week 3 at $65.
However, in a notable shift, the AFL will increase the price of entry-level tickets for the Toyota AFL Grand Final for the first time since 2019. The cheapest reserved seat will now cost $195 in 2025, reflecting a four percent average price increase across all ticket categories from 2024.
A Commitment to Affordability Amid Rising Costs
The AFL’s pricing strategy for the 2025 Finals Series underscores its ongoing commitment to keeping the sport accessible. This season, the league maintained a price freeze on general admission tickets at both the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and Marvel Stadium for the seventh consecutive year. Additional initiatives included free entry for children during school holidays and Round 21 in Victoria, as well as free admission for under-18s at all NAB AFLW matches.
Bec Haagsma, AFL Executive General Manager of Customer and Commercial, emphasized the league’s dedication to affordability, stating, “We remain committed to keeping the finals ticket prices as an affordable option in recognition of the members and fans who support their clubs in record numbers. A 10-year price freeze on weeks one to three continues to be unrivalled in Australian sport.”
“With two rounds still to go, this season stands to be one of the biggest in our game’s history, with a recently announced record 1.32 million members and more than seven million attendees so far,” Haagsma added.
Grand Final Ticketing Strategy and Allocation
The AFL’s decision to increase Grand Final ticket prices comes after a six-year freeze on entry-level prices. The most expensive ticket for the 2025 Grand Final will be priced at $515, up from $493 in 2024. Despite this increase, the allocation of tickets remains consistent with previous years, ensuring that members of the competing clubs receive the largest share of available tickets.
Approximately 75,000 tickets will be allocated to members of the two competing clubs, AFL members, and Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) members. Competing club members will receive the largest allocation of 35,000 tickets, split equally between the two clubs. Additional tickets will be available to MCC members, AFL and Medallion Club members, and other stakeholders, including corporate and broadcast partners.
“The Toyota AFL Grand Final is among the biggest and best sporting events in the world, and the reality is we could sell out the 100,000-seat MCG four times over,” Haagsma noted. “When tickets are released in September, our priority will be the members of the two competing clubs, who will continue to receive the largest share of available tickets.”
Looking Ahead to the 2025 Finals Series
The AFL has yet to announce the specific on-sale dates for the 2025 Toyota AFL Finals Series tickets, but it has confirmed that members will receive first access. The league encourages fans to purchase tickets only through authorized channels to avoid scams, specifically recommending Ticketek or the AFL Event Office for premium hospitality packages.
The 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final is scheduled to take place at the MCG on Saturday, September 27, at 2:30 PM. As the season progresses, fans and members eagerly anticipate what promises to be another thrilling finals series, set against the backdrop of a record-breaking year for the AFL.
As the AFL continues to balance affordability with the realities of rising costs, its strategic decisions in ticket pricing reflect a nuanced approach to maintaining fan engagement while ensuring the sport’s financial sustainability. The league’s ability to navigate these challenges will be closely watched as it prepares for another landmark event in Australian sports.
