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The AFL has released figures that show more than 3.2 million Australians participated in Australian rules football in 2015.

The figures, not questioned by any other media organisation, are in sharp contrast to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures from 2015 that showed AFL had 224,000 participants (as advised by the 2015 Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation Australia report.)

However, the AFL numbers show 3,260,782 (almost 14% of all Australians) participated in the game based on 1,247,610 actual participants, an 8% rise on 2014, and that an additional 2,013,172 people “were engaged through school or community based clinics and promotions”, a growth of 33% from 2014.

The AFL also claim a rise of 46% in women’s participation in 2015, which it says highlights “the need for the AFL to establish a national women's competition”.

It cites that 163 new female football teams began in 2015, with 284,501 women now taking part in the code.

Speaking when revealing the figures, AFL General Manager of Game and Market Development Simon Lethlean stated “the record growth in female football follows the success of the two AFL women's exhibition matches this year, the second of which was televised live across Australia, and reinforces the need to establish a national female competition

"Australian Football is the greatest game in the world and the industry as a whole has made a considerable effort to make sure it is a safe, inclusive and fun environment that provides opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background, gender or ability."

Football Federation Australia (FFA) figures show that football, widely acknowledged as Australia's most popular participation team sport, had 1,188,911 last year, including 378,000 female participants.

AFL 2015 participation highlights:

Total Participation grew by 8% to reach 1,247,610
• 597,538 played in structured competitions (up 3.5%)
• 650,072 participated in introductory programs (up 13%)

Community Club participation grew by 1.4% to 336,108
• Strong growth in junior (4%) and youth girls (33%) AFL
• There are now 253 leagues, 2,763 clubs and 13,873 community club teams nationally with 226 new teams taking the field in 2015 

A total of 239,144 students played in school competitions, with another 467,145 involved in introductory programs, representing an increase of 13%.
• 8.3% growth in primary aged inter-school football competitions
• 1.3% growth in secondary inter-school football
• 17.7% growth in school program participation 

NAB AFL Auskick participation grew by 2.5% to 182,927
• The increase was largely driven by an increase in five to eight year olds who now make up 85% of the program demographic (was 65% five years ago) 
A total of 22,286 people played in a McDonalds AFL 9s competition on the back of 23.5% growth.
• 15 new venues established in 2015 

Football Federation Australia (FFA) figures show that football, widely acknowledged as Australia's most popular participation team sport, had 1,188,911 last year, including 378,000 female participants.

8th December 2015 - FFA SURVEY SHOWS BOOM IN FOOTBALL PARTICIPATION

27th August 2015 - AFL ANNOUNCES RECORD CLUB MEMBERSHIP FIGURES

3rd March 2015 - RESEARCH REVEALS THE SOCIAL VALUE OF A FOOTBALL CLUB

19th February 2015 - ABS NOTES DECLINING SPORT AND PHYSICAL RECREATION PARTICIPATION

2nd February 2015 - AUSTRALIAN YOUNGSTERS ‘CAN’T THROW, CAN’T CATCH’

9th December 2014 - AFL VICTORIA ACHIEVES RECORD PARTICIPATION THROUGH 2014

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