AFL memberships exceed one million for first time

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August 2, 2018

Marketing / Sport /

The AFL has announced that club membership has exceeded one million for the first time, with 13 teams breaking their all-time records this season.

The final tally for 2018 stood at 1,008,494 members by the 31st July deadline, an 11% increase on last season and the 18th consecutive year of growth.

Reigning premier Richmond led the way after becoming the first club to sign up 100,000 members – an increase of nearly 39% following last year's drought-breaking flag.

Hawthorn and high-flying West Coast rounded out the top three, with both clubs exceeding 80,000 members for the first time.

Only Collingwood (-372) and the Western Bulldogs (-4407) failed to grow their membership bases.

Welcoming the numbers, AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan stated "one in every 24 Australians is now a member of an AFL club, a sign that the national reach of Australian football has never been greater.

"Whether you have been a member for decades or just signed up this year, on behalf of the AFL I want to thank every single one of you.

"The commitment members make to their clubs is the key reason why our game continues to prosper.

"Our clubs give us a connection. Our games fill us with hope, despair and joy, and today it makes us proud."

AFLW memberships also climbed in the competition's second season, up more than 30% to 9,406.

Images: Richmond became the firts AFL club to sign up 100,000 members (top) and the AFL's club membership figures to 31st July 2018 (below).

13th April 2018 - AFL breaks Western Australian attendance record at new Optus Stadium

23rd March 2018 - IBISWorld study confirms West Coast Eagles as AFL’s most profitable club

7th November 2017 - AFL aims for new Perth Stadium to drive 2018 attendance record

7th September 2017 - AFL breaks home-and-away season attendance record

30th August 2017 - Richmond attracts AFL’s biggest crowd numbers through 2017 season

10th August 2017 - AFL on target to break 6.5 million attendance record

5th May 2017 - AFL looks to eSports to engage with new audiences

25th October 2016 - Aligned Leisure and Richmond FC offer PHD Scholarship into improving health outcomes

4th January 2016 - AFL claims massive growth in participation in 2015

27th August 2015 - AFL announces record club membership figures

3rd March 2015 - Research reveals the social value of a football club

6th December 2013 - AFL teams move ahead as the most valuable brands in Australian sport

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