AFL Statement

THE AFL is pleased to launch AFLConnect, presented by Virgin Australia - a new leading business platform designed to drive key outcomes and networking opportunities for like-minded brands. 

AFLConnect is a B2B membership program which marks the coming together of Australian sport’s broadest and most extensive businesses community. Its purpose will allow members to connect with similar brands, receive regular promotions and offers, build relationships with other business members and access exclusive offers and content.

Through the AFLConnect program members will be able to connect and engage with the 1,350+ businesses within the AFL ecosystem and generate tangible business outcomes.  This will be done through structured forums, engaging and exclusive events along with a progressive online marketplace – powered by industry-leading provider, Marketplacer – for members to promote their business, display offers, connect and transact.

AFL Executive General Manager Customer and Commercial Kylie Rogers said AFLConnect provides businesses with a great opportunity to build their network and take advantage of exclusive offers and content.

"We have a clear focus on growing the depth and breadth of our relationships with our partners and customers," she said.

"We are genuinely 'better together' and AFLConnect is a key initiative that will enable us to deliver more value for our customers than ever before through growing connections between our partner, member organisations and our fans

"We are thrilled that many of our current corporate partners, most notably our AFLConnect presenting partner Virgin Australia and the AFL’s premier partner Toyota, are committed to AFLConnect and we look forward to welcoming members of our broader business network to the program going forward."

Virgin Australia Group Chief Commercial Officer Dave Emerson said the airline has a shared objective with the AFL to grow deeper connections with its customers through the AFLConnect program.

"Since relaunching last year, we have reduced our corporate airfares by up to 70 per cent. Through AFLConnect we will be able to showcase just how much value we bring to corporate travellers and small to medium-sized businesses who are part of the program, and who are emerging from the pandemic with less discretionary spend, but who value our award-winning service, safety and reliability," he said.

"Virgin Australia is incredibly focused on growing its market share by providing some of the best value at every step of the customer journey and that’s already evident when purchasing an airfare or earning and redeeming Velocity Points.

"The AFL is the largest sporting code in the country, and through the hundreds of AFL businesses accessible through the AFLConnect program, we will be able to reach a whole new audience of potential customers and show them the value that we can bring them every time they fly."

AFLConnect’s first networking event will be hosted in late-February 2022 but expressions of interest for foundation memberships are now open.  

To find out more about AFLConnect partnership and member opportunities visit connect.afl