Footy fans will be thanked for their support during the 2017 Toyota AFL Premiership Season at Round 23 matches this weekend through an assortment of activities including kids in free at selected matches.
For the second consecutive year and an extension of the Sunday Funday initiative, kids under the age of 15 will gain free entry to all Round 23 matches played at the Adelaide Oval, Etihad Stadium, The Gabba, MCG, SCG and Simonds Stadium from Friday August 25 to Sunday August 27.
AFL General Manager of Clubs and Broadcasting Travis Auld thanked footy fans for their support in 2017 as the AFL closes in on record-breaking attendance figures.
“The AFL has enjoyed some record-breaking highlights during the 2017 Toyota AFL Premiership Season and as we approach 6.5 million fans attending across all matches for the year, we wanted to thank everyone for their support and hope kids, families and all fans alike come out to enjoy the last matches of the home and away season,” he said.
“To make Round 23 extra special for all fans, we’re inviting kids under the age of 15 to go for free across all days of the weekend.
“This year has been one of the tightest in history with 11 clubs still in finals contention and with a considerable number of greats retiring at the end of their seasons, there’s even more reason to get to a game this weekend to cheer on your team,” he said.
With thanks to LEGO and Village Cinemas, footy fans will get the opportunity to win prizes when attending Round 23 matches, including Australian premiere tickets to the new LEGO Ninjago movie and various other LEGO giveaways.
One lucky family of four will also get the chance to win a holiday to LEGOLAND in California valued at over $15,000 including VIP entry, return flights, accommodation, and transfers.
To celebrate Round 23, Foxtel is giving away one year’s Platinum HD Foxtel Subscriptions to four lucky winners across each game in Round 23, a total of 36 lucky winners across the whole round. Meaning the winners will enjoy their team in every round, live with no ad-breaks siren to siren on Fox Footy.
“Our broadcast and corporate partners have got on board to also thank fans during Round 23, with Foxtel surprising fans with Platinum HD subscriptions,” Mr Auld said.
“We want to thank each of our broadcast and corporate partners for their contribution in making the 2017 Toyota AFL Premiership Season so successful.”
Round 23’s Kids in Free is an extension of the Sunday Funday initiative which has run throughout the Toyota AFL Premiership Season and seen a total number of 198,787 juniors access Sunday matches in 2017.
“With another bumper year for crowds on our hands, we can’t go past acknowledging the kids – our next generation of footy fanatics - who have showed their passion in attending matches this year,” Mr Auld said.
“In 2017, we have seen an average 16 per cent increase in kids attending Sunday matches from 2016’s figures and also an average seven per cent uplift across all days year-on-year,” he said. Footy fans will also get the opportunity to have a kick on-field post-match at selected venues throughout Round 23.
The program of Round 23 matches are as follows and indicates the activities happening at each:
Friday August 25 Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
• Kids in Free offer, subject to conditions listed below*.
Saturday August 26
Collingwood v Melbourne at the MCG, 1.45pm AEST
• Kids in Free offer, subject to conditions listed below*.
Brisbane Lions v North Melbourne at the Gabba, 2.10pm AEST
• Kick-to-kick post-match, subject to weather conditions.
• Kids in Free offer, subject to conditions listed below*.
Sydney Swans v Carlton at the SCG, 4.35pm AEST
• Kick-to-kick post-match, subject to weather conditions.
• Kids in Free offer, limited to the first 100 kids and subject to the conditions listed below*.
Geelong Cats v GWS GIANTS at Simonds Stadium, 7.25pm AEST
• Kids in Free offer, subject to conditions listed below*.
Port Adelaide v Gold Coast SUNS at Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm ACST / 7.40pm AEST
• Kids in Free offer, subject to conditions listed below*.
Sunday August 27
Essendon v Fremantle at Etihad Stadium, 1.10pm AEST
• Maccas Kick-to-kick post-match, subject to weather conditions.
• Kids in Free offer, subject to conditions listed below*.
Richmond v St Kilda at the MCG, 3.20pm AEST
• Maccas Kick-to-kick post-match, subject to weather conditions.
• Kids in Free offer, subject to conditions listed below*.
West Coast Eagles v Adelaide Crows at Domain Stadium, 2.40pm AWST / 4.40pm AEST
• Maccas Kick-to-kick post-match, subject to weather conditions.
• The Round 23 Kids in Free offer is not valid at Domain Stadium due to venue capacity.
*The Kids in Free offer must be aged under 15 years and will only be available in conjunction with any other ticket purchase, where all other tickets will be charged at the regular retail price. Free general admission tickets are available to children under the age of 15 and can be purchased in advance or at the gate, subject to availability. For all matches, purchases in advance are subject to ticket agent transaction fees, and these fees also apply for Adelaide Oval gate purchases. Quantity of tickets per transaction standard limits. For further information about Round 23 - Kids in Free and activations, tickets, details, and terms and conditions visit the website: afl.com.au/tickets/round-23-tickets
