KIDS ENTER FREE AMID FALL IN CROWDS

THE AFL says there are strong reasons behind a 16 per cent dip in crowd attendances this year compared to the last non-Covid season as it prepares to offer free tickets for kids.

The league will allow children up to 14 to enter all AFL grounds for free between rounds 14-17 as it continues to reward fans who attend games during the Covid era.

The average attendance per game this year is 31,005, down from 37,250 in 2019. It is the lowest figure since 1995’s average of 29,103 – apart from the past two Covid-affected seasons.

The AFL believes there are valid explanations for the drop given restricted crowds at Perth Stadium and GMHBA Stadium as well as people still learning to live with Covid.

The Victorian government’s vaccine mandate means some patrons have been unable to attend games, with many others in isolation after contracting Covid or becoming close contacts.

There is still a hesitancy among some of the community to return to spaces with large crowds, but it is not known how many fans are not returning because two years of Covid altered their routine of attending games.

The Kids Go Free Month will grant general admission tickets to kids for games across all Australian venues.