AusLeisure

AFL’s move to the redeveloped Adelaide Oval is paying enormous dividends with a 42% increase in attendances after five matches when compared to last season.

The average crowd after the first five matches at the new Adelaide Oval in 2014 has been 45,184 compared to an average attendance of 31,772 for the first five matches at AAMI Stadium in 2013.

Commenting on the growth in crowds, South Australian Sports Minister Leon Bignell said AFL fans have voted with their feet, flocking to the redeveloped Adelaide Oval in record numbers.

He stated “(last) Sunday night’s blockbuster at the Adelaide Oval between Port Adelaide and Geelong saw the total attendance at the first five matches at Adelaide Oval shoot past 225,000 people.

“That is 67,000 more people than the first five games at AAMI Stadium last year - an average of 13,400 more people per game, providing an enormous economic boost for South Australian football.

“The redeveloped Adelaide Oval has changed our city and more city venues are now taking advantage of the increased crowds both before and after the game.”

Minister Bignell said the South Australian Government had been working hard to entice not only the fans of interstate AFL clubs, but their corporate sponsors.

He added “they didn’t like coming to Adelaide when they had to play at Football Park but now that it’s Adelaide Oval they can’t wait to get here and show their fans and their corporate sponsors the best footy stadium in Australia.

“We’re encouraging supporters to come for the game and stay on for the Barossa, McLaren Vale or many other beautiful regions we have on offer.

"The best money we can have in our economy is the money that comes from the pockets of visitors from Victoria, West Australia, NSW and Queensland.

"The Adelaide Oval should not just be seen as the best sporting arena in Australia but also as a monument to South Australian jobs.

"Hundreds of people were employed to build the oval, hundreds work in the oval each week and then there are hundreds of people working in hotels, shops and restaurants who will benefit from the increased activity at the Adelaide Oval.

“Last year we invited the 16 non-South Australian AFL clubs to visit South Australia. Their commercial managers toured the Adelaide Oval, had dinner in the CBD, breakfast at the Central Markets and lunch and cellar doors visits in McLaren Vale.

"Last year Collingwood took 6000 fans to the Gold Coast for their game against the Suns and Geelong took 5000 fans up there.

“With hundreds, if not thousands of interstate fans set to converge on Adelaide each weekend, for at least 20 weeks of the year; this is a huge economic boost for Adelaide and our regions and is really cementing our reputation as a vibrant and enticing destination.”

9th October 2013 - AFL COMMERCIAL MANAGERS APPRAISE NEW ADELAIDE OVAL’S TOURISM POTENTIAL

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