Season Opener Spike for WAFL Crowds

The West Australian Football Commission is delighted with crowd numbers for the opening round of the 2023 season, a 52 per cent increase from Round 1 last year.

Almost 15,000 supporters attended the 5 WAFL games over the Easter Weekend, making it the highest aggregate attendance for a non-WA Day round of WAFL footy since round 6, 2009 when 15,237 attended 4 games over the ANZAC day weekend.

Scott Baker, Executive Manager – Football Operations at the West Australian Football Commission, believes the even nature of the competition will continue to attract fans.

“With three of the matches decided by 14 points or less, it’s clear we have another exciting and unpredictable year ahead.

The WAFC is confident the standard of football will continue to draw strong attendances throughout 2023,” Baker said.

The spectator total of 14,642 for the season opening round produced an average attendance of 2,928.

That ranks as the 3rd highest average attendance for round 1 since 2000, behind 3,450 in 2005 and 3,180 in 2020.

With both the Eagles and Dockers participating in the AFL’s Gather Round in Adelaide this weekend, the WAFC is expecting continued support for Round 2 of the local competition.

“Apart from watching your favourite team play this weekend, there’s been a concerted effort from the WAFC Marketing Department and clubs to make the game day experience a memorable one for spectators through the WIN WIN WAFL Campaign”, he said.

Largest aggregate attendances since 2000:
19,420 | R10, 2009 WA Day weekend
19,116 | R10, 2007 WA Day weekend
18,674 | R10, 2006 WA Day weekend
18,138 | R12, 2001 WA Day weekend
17,907 | R11, 2011 WA Day weekend
17,620 | R8, 2019 WA Day weekend
16,551 | R7, 2022 WA Day weekend
15,520 | R11, 2012 WA Day weekend
15,237 | R6, 2009 ANZAC Day weekend
15,009 | R10, 2001 WA Day weekend
14,642 | R1, 2023 Easter Long Weekend

Statistics supplied by : ric@waflfootyfacts.net