AFL chief executive officer Gillon McLachlan has announced that there will be no crowd restrictions on any of the five Round 1 fixtures set to take place in Melbourne next month.
With density limits set to be scrapped ahead of March 16, each of the 10 Victorian team's supporter bases will be afforded the opportunity to turn out in droves for the first time since Round 22, 2019.
And given each side from the southern state will be playing at either Marvel Stadium or the MCG across the season's opening weekend, Victorians who faced a world-record stint in lockdown will be afforded an immediate opportunity to break out and make some noise for their boys.
Although McLachlan had hinted at a similar announcement in early December of last year, the league boss officially declared the footy mad city back in business on Thursday evening.
"We want to get big crowds back to the footy, the weekly ritual of being able to go to a game and the sense of community it creates, connecting families and friends is something we have missed in the state," McLachlan stated via AFL Media.
"On behalf of the AFL I would like to thank the Victorian State Government, specifically Premier Daniel Andrews, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula and Minister for Health Martin Foley for continuing to work with us and safely get as many fans back to the footy as possible."
RELATED: FULL ROUND 1 FIXTURE
McLachlan also highlighted the fact that barrackers will be spoilt for choice when it came to getting their footy fix, as the AFLW season was also nearing its pointy end.
"We have a big finish to our AFLW home and away season which again has been warmly embraced by fans and supporters across the state, rolling straight into our AFL season and the Grand Final rematch on the Wednesday night at the MCG," he continued.
"Our AFLW Finals series and start of our AFL Season is an exciting time for fans, we look forward to seeing crowds return to our venues in huge numbers as well as to all the surrounding business and venues that rely on footy and big events being staged across the city.
"Footy can hopefully help bring the heartbeat of the city back to Melbourne and back to the state of Victoria."
The 2022 AFL Premiership season is set to commence on Wednesday, March 16 with the reigning premiers Melbourne unfurling their flag at the MCG against the Western Bulldogs.