The AFL is looking for Victorian stadia to be allowed to operate at full capacity, unveiling a plan that would see fans being required to enter the name and contact details of every person attending the match when buying tickets.
Looking to ensure 100% capacity before the Anzac Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon at the MCG, one of the League’s games of the season, the AFL’s plan aims to assist the Victorian Government in obtaining the contact details of all fans attending matches to best assist with COVID-19 contact tracing, should an outbreak occur at a venue.
When purchasing tickets online, fans will now be required to enter the name and contact number of each person attending the venue. Through the first four rounds of the season, fans only needed to enter the details of one person in the attending group.
The trial will be conducted for the upcoming Carlton v Port Adelaide game at the MCG, as well as the Western Bulldogs v Gold Coast clash at Marvel Stadium.
Introducing the trial, AFL Executive General Manager Commercial and Customer, Kylie Rogers stated "we empathise that fans have had to change the way they may ordinarily purchase tickets and attend matches as we continue to navigate the pandemic and modify our behaviours.
"Encouragingly the data shows fans have quickly adopted the digital ticketing process, and we thank them for embracing the required change.
"The trial this week will assist us in getting back to 100 percent capacity as soon as possible and eventually seeing members get back to their beloved reserved seats in stadium."
The AFL estimates that adding contact details during the ticketing purchase process should only add a maximum of minute to the total transaction time.
However, while state public health officials are working with the AFL to boost capacity to 100%, Victorian acting Premier James Merlino has not indicated when that will be.
The acting Victorian Premier stated “we are working together to get to (full capacity), but we cannot put a timeline on that today.
"It's all about contact tracing, and having the confidence that if we have 100,000 people filling (the MCG), there's the ability for public health to effectively contact trace.”
Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said last month it would be difficult to fill large venues such as the MCG and still maintain separate zones, noting “I think, for very large venues, getting to 100% is pretty tricky. You’ve got to maintain those hard zones, so you do need that space to be able to have the infrastructure to separate people.”
The current stadium capacity in Victoria is 75%.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
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