AFL grand final set to kick economic goals
THIS weekend’s AFL grand final will once again kick goals for Victoria’s economy, as thousands of Greater Western Sydney fans pay no mind to giant last-minute expenses.
Carrying hopes of snaring a maiden AFL premiership, GWS fans will also bring with them plenty of tourist dollars.
Giants members took up only a fraction of their 17,000 allocated tickets for Saturday’s MCG blockbuster against hot favourites Richmond, forfeiting the rest to Tigers fans who missed out in the original ballot.
Most will take to the air to get there, boosting sales for carriers Qantas and Virgin.
But flight prices for away fans haven’t surged as high as the past five years when heavily supported West Coast, Adelaide and Sydney Swans reached the decider.
Economist Tim Harcourt still expects interstate visitors to flood into Victoria in what will be the final opportunity of the season for airlines, hotels, restaurants and other businesses to score.
“The AFL grand final is always a chance for business to make a profit,” the UNSW Business School fellow said.
“In 2018, the estimated total net-economic contribution of all AFL matches to host cities was $700 million, including nearly $340 million just for Melbourne.”
Victorians may get a chance to repay the economic favour next week as Sydney’s ANZ Stadium hosts the NRL grand final.
Sport’s economic impacts shouldn’t be underestimated, Mr Harcourt said, with diehard fans often willing to spend big in pursuit of sharing in the glory.
“For Australian followers of four codes of football (AFL, NRL, Super Rugby and ALeague), too much sport is never enough,” he said.
“It’s one of those feel-good economic events that regardless of the outcome, keeps many Australian businesses booming.”