AFL crowds could be at full capacity midway through the 2021 season, with next year's season opener between the Blues and Tigers likely to be set at 50%, despite the two clubs believing the league are being too conservative, per 7 News' Tom Browne.
Club representatives from Richmond and Carlton are hoping to pack in 75,000 fans for their Round 1 clash at the MCG, with margins likely to fall closer to 50,000.
While the two Victorian clubs remain hopeful of an increase on the forecasted figures, stadiums have been tipped to return to maximum capacity by mid-season despite the unprecedented future.
Victorian fans were unable to attend football in 2020, with surrounding states all being able to welcome local fans to certain fixtures in the second-half of the season at various capacities.
“Richmond and Carlton will kick off the season, the first six rounds of the fixture to be released as soon as Friday,” Browne said.
“The clubs are budgeting for 50 per cent crowds which means there will be about 50,000 people there, at this stage, for the opening game.
“I was talking to those clubs today, Richmond and Carlton, and they think 50 per cent could be conservative.
“It could be 75 per cent for round one and potentially 100 per cent capacity by midseason.
“It will obviously depend on COVID and the AFL will be more conservative in the preseason.”
The MCG is set to welcome 30,000 cricket fans to each day of the upcoming Boxing Day Test between Australia and India.