AFL post second-highest all-time crowd attendance record during Round 7

The AFL announced that fans and supporters of all clubs have registered the second-highest all-time crowd attendance record during Round 7, logging 408,433 admirers, only second to Round 1 this year.

In a round in which the game celebrated the ANZACs, beginning on Wednesday night at the MCG with Richmond and Melbourne putting on a display, the extra-long weekend of football was highly entertaining and enjoyed by onlookers.

The following day saw the first draw of the 2024 season, as Collingwood and Essendon couldn't be split in the fourth-highest attended (93,644) home-and-away match recorded.

Geelong and Carlton ascended toward the top of the record books, with 87,775 fans surging through the gates of the MCG on Saturday.

This Round 7 milestone marks only the third time in history a round has surpassed 400,000 attendees, alongside Round 1, 2024 (413,405) and Round 1, 2017 (400,401).

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said the occasion of Anzac Day and the Anzac Appeal Round saw football fans flocking to Stadiums, making note of the service of others.

“The recognition of all service people across the country was paramount this weekend with football fans coming out in droves to honour and pay tribute to the Anzac spirit,” said Dillon.

“Season 2024 has started as well as any season on record. The success of Opening Round, into the traditional Round One, we've had Gather Round and some huge local derbies interstate, and the ANZAC Appeal Round now becoming one of our biggest on record.

“ANZAC Day is one of our country's most important national occasions, it is a privilege to be able to play and pay our respects for all who have, and all who are currently serving our country across all the armed services. We saw it across the AFL games, and also across community footy matches all weekend.

"On behalf of everyone in the footy community we say thank you.”

Round 7 call outs:

• • The highest attended AFL H&A Round at the MCG all-time - 292,311 across the four matches. Average 73,077 per match.
  • Geelong Cats highest attended AFL H&A home matches all-time, and second highest AFL H&A match all-time featuring Geelong (best is Rd 9, 2010 – COLL v GEEL - 88,115)
  • Essendon v Collingwood was the fourth-highest attended AFL H&A match of all time, 3^rd highest ANZAC Day of all-time and Essendon's highest-ever ANZAC Day home match crowd.
  • The highest-attended GWS GIANTS home match at Manuka Oval since Round 21, 2018 (13,249) and 7^th all-time highest-attended GWS match at the venue.

Top 10 attended rounds all-time

1. Rd 1 2024 – 413,405
2. Rd 7 2024 - 408,433
3. Rd 1 2017 - 400,401
4. Rd 3 2018 - 393,537
5. Rd 1 2023 – 392,248
6. Rd 5 2017 - 391,980
7. Rd 5 2018 - 381,880
8. Rd 1 2019 – 380,789
9. Rd 1 2018 – 375,564
10. Rd 2 2023 – 373,541

Match attendance across Round Seven
Richmond v Melbourne – 72,840
Collingwood v Essendon– 93,644
GWS GIANTS v Brisbane Lions – 13,080
Port Adelaide v St Kilda – 40,306
North Melbourne v Adelaide Crows – 5,365
Geelong Cats v Carlton – 87,775
Fremantle v Western Bulldogs – 45,931
Gold Coast SUNS v West Coast Eagles – 11,440
Hawthorn v Sydney Swans – 38,052