THE AFL is thrilled to announce that fans have come together to recognise and celebrate the Anzac spirit across Round 7, registering the second highest ever attended round in history with 408,433 fans attending matches.
This 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 turning flocking to stadiums.
"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 Mr 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, 2024
* The highest attended AFL H&A Round at the MCG all-time - 292,311 across the four matches. Average 73,077 per match
* Geelong's highest attended AFL H&A home match 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 all time, 3rd highest Anzac Day of all-time and Essendon highest-ever Anzac Day home crowd
* The highest attended Greater Western Sydney home match at Manuka Oval since Round 21, 2018 (13,249) and 7th 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 attendances, 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
