Ever wonder or forget what the actual capacity of certain AFL grounds are? Most of us know the MCG can push 100,000, but how many out there can impress their mates and rattle off all the numbers that relate to all Australia’s other major grounds?
Well we’re here to help.
And with the AFL looking to continue its expansion across the nation, including a new team from Tasmania expected to enter the league in 2027, the fans are turning up in their droves. The ‘G was rocking for the opening game of the 2023 season and there’s intangible magic at the Adelaide Oval when it fills up for footy, like we’ll see shortly during Gather Round.
So let’s take stock and see what we’re all dealing with down under.
Each major city in Australia holds a stadium with a capacity of over 40,000 seats; with AFL clubs of course associated with each of them. Keeping that in mind, let’s have a look at the capacity of the AFL’s major venues, counting backwards.
The largest AFL grounds, ranked by capacity
9. Sydney Showground (Homebush)
Capacity: 24,000
AFL ground for: GWS Giants
Record AFL attendance: 21,924 – Sydney Swans vs GWS Giants, 2017
8. Heritage Bank Stadium (Carrara)
Capacity: 27,500
AFL ground for: Gold Coast Suns
Record AFL attendance: 24,032 – Collingwood vs Gold Coast Suns, 2014
7. GMHBA Stadium (Geelong)
Capacity: 36,000
AFL ground for: Geelong Cats
Record AFL attendance: 32,815 – Fremantle vs Geelong Cats, 2013
6. The Gabba (Brisbane)
Capacity: 42,000
AFL ground for: Brisbane Lions
Record AFL attendance: 37,478 – Richmond vs Brisbane Lions, 2019
5. Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)
Capacity: 48,000
AFL ground for: Sydney Swans
Record AFL attendance: 46,323 – Essendon vs Sydney Swans, 2017
4. Adelaide Oval
Capacity: 53,600
AFL ground for: Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power
Record AFL attendance: 54,468 – Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide Power, 2015
3. Marvel Stadium (Docklands, Melbourne)
Capacity: 55,000
AFL ground for: Essendon, Western Bulldogs, Carlton, North Melbourne and St Kilda
Record AFL attendance: 54,444 – St Kilda vs Geelong, 2009
2. Optus Stadium (Perth)
Capacity: 60,000
AFL ground for: West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers
Record AFL attendance: 59,608 – Melbourne vs West Coast Eagles, 2018
1. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Capacity: 100,024
AFL ground for: Collingwood, Hawthorn, Melbourne and Richmond
Record AFL attendance: 100,024 – Geelong vs Sydney Swans, 2022
