PORT ADELAIDE is among nine AFL clubs to record an increase in average home game attendance in 2018, with the Power recording its fourth highest average attendance figure ever.
An average of 38,227 people attended Port Adelaide’s eleven home games in 2018, up from 38,136 in 2017.
That figure gives Port the league’s eighth highest average attendance for the season.
Port Adelaide’s highest attended game in 2018 was the Round 8 Showdown it hosted against Adelaide when 50,967 people witnessed the Power stealing a win with a late goal to Steven Motlop.
Coincidentally that was the highest attendance in South Australia, beating the 50,377 which attended the second Showdown of the year in round 20.
The figures have been released by the AFL, which is celebrating a new all-time record season attendance of 6,894,770.
The new record surpasses the previous record of 6,732,601 set last season.
AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan thanked the fans for their unwavering commitment to their teams by turning out in record numbers.
“The 2018 season has proven to be exciting and unpredictable, and after 23 rounds to have over 6.89 million fans attend a game of footy is remarkable.”
“Regardless of who they barrack for, our fans continue support their teams as passionately as ever,” Mr McLachlan said
“This game will always be for the fans, and we are extremely proud of them in breaking this record.”
Mr McLachlan also said the clubs and national venues deserved great credit for their continued work to build their audiences.
“Our commitment has been to constantly address the affordability and access for footy fans,” Mr McLachlan said
“Our clubs, stadia and venue partners across the country have shared our focus on delivering memorable match-day experiences to everyone.”
“The clubs through the players, coaches and staff do an amazing job to continue to build their fan bases.”
The AFL’s home and away season total attendances, last five seasons:
2018 - 6,894,770
2017 - 6,732,601
2016 - 6,306,333
2015 - 6,351,578
2014 - 6,384,742
The 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership season also delivered 12 rounds in which more than 300,000 fans attended, the most ever in a single season.
This included the top five single round attendance records in round three (393,537 – 2nd all-time), round five (381,880 – 4th all-time) and round one (375,564 – 5th all-time).
The AFL’s highest single rounds in history are as follows:
400,401 – Round 1, 2017.
393,537 – Round 3, 2018.
391,980 – Round 5, 2017.
381,880 – Round 5, 2018.
375,564 – Round 1, 2018.
Nine clubs increased their home game averages from 2017 including Brisbane, Collingwood, Fremantle, Hawthorn, Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Richmond, Sydney Swans, West Coast Eagles.
| Club | Average | |
| Richmond | 61,175 | (Richmond's highest ever) |
| West Coast Eagles | 53,250 | (West Coast’s highest ever) |
| Collingwood | 49,898 | |
| Essendon | 47,356 | |
| Adelaide Crows | 45,417 | |
| Fremantle | 41,764 | (Fremantle’s highest ever) |
| Melbourne | 40,695 | (Melbourne’s 5th highest ever) |
| Port Adelaide | 38,227 | (Port’s 4th highest ever) |
| Geelong Cats | 34,207 | (Geelong’s 5th highest ever) |
| Sydney Swans | 33,928 | (Sydney’s 4th highest ever) |
| Hawthorn | 33,339 | |
| Carlton | 31,773 | |
| St Kilda | 25,449 | |
| Western Bulldogs | 25,372 | |
| North Melbourne | 21,036 | |
| Brisbane Lions | 18,406 | |
| Gold Coast Suns | 13,542 | |
| GWS Giants | 11,914 | (Giants’ 3rd highest ever) |
Top Home Games by Club
Club Rd Opponent Venue Attendance
Collingwood 5 Essendon MCG 91,440
Richmond 1 Carlton MCG 90,151
Melbourne 12 Collingwood MCG 83,518
Essendon 11 Richmond MCG 81,046
Geelong Cats 2 Hawthorn MCG 73,189
Hawthorn 20 Essendon MCG 68,857
Carlton 3 Collingwood MCG 68,548
West Coast Eagles 9 Richmond OS 57,616
Fremantle 6 West Coast Eagles OS 56,521
Port Adelaide 8 Adelaide Crows AO 50,967
Adelaide Crows 20 Port Adelaide AO 50,377
Western Bulldogs 3 Essendon ES 40,499
Sydney Swans 23 Hawthorn SCG 39,660
St Kilda 18 Richmond ES 36,269
North Melbourne 2 St Kilda ES 33,966
Brisbane Lions 7 Collingwood Gabba 21,850
GWS GIANTS 22 Sydney Swans SS 21,433
Gold Coast SUNS 21 Richmond MS 18,102
Top 5 Games 2018
Rd 5 Collingwood v Essendon, MCG – 91,440
Rd 1 Richmond v Carlton, MCG – 90,151
Rd 19 Richmond v Collingwood, MCG – 88,180
Rd 12 Melbourne v Collingwood, MCG – 83,518
Rd 11 Essendon v Richmond, MCG – 81,046
Top Games by State/Territory
Vic Rd 5 Collingwood v Essendon, MCG – 91,440
WA Rd 9 West Coast v Richmond, Optus Stadium – 57,616
SA Rd 8 Port Adelaide v Adelaide Crows, Adelaide Oval – 50,967
NSW Rd 23 Sydney Swans v Hawthorn, SCG – 39,660
Qld Rd 7 Brisbane Lions v Collingwood, Gabba – 21,850
Tas Rd 6 Hawthorn v St Kilda, UTAS Stadium – 15,741
ACT Rd 21 GIANTS v Adelaide Crows, UNSW Canberra Oval – 13,249
NT Rd 10 Melbourne v Adelaide Crows, TIO Stadium – 8,689
More on portadelaidefc.com.au...
