AFL FANS ASSOCIATION (AFLFA): “GIVING FOOTY FANS A VOICE”
Fan satisfaction with the AFL has slumped to a record low, with supporters increasingly frustrated at the league’s focus on revenue ahead of fans.
The AFL Fans Association’s 2025 Survey found the fan satisfaction rating with the AFL has fallen to 2.7 out of 5. This represents a 22% drop in fan satisfaction since 2023 and a 13% drop since 2024. Club satisfaction also dropped by 13% year-on-year.
Fans’ Top Concerns
1. Revenue before fans – Broadcasters, sponsors, and gambling seen to take priority. Floating fixtures, inequitable prime-time slots, ticketing practices, and intrusive advertising are eroding trust
2. Umpiring & rule changes – 82% of fans say umpiring has worsened since 2024, citing inconsistency and confusing interpretations
3. Affordability – One in five plan to attend fewer games due to rising costs. 8% will no longer travel interstate, 7% have downgraded memberships, and 4% have cancelled altogether
4. Floating fixture and scheduling– Fans want to see a better balance between commercial needs and fan certainty including more equitable fixture distribution. 30% would attend more games if scheduling improved. Thursday nights are widely opposed, while Saturday afternoons remain the most popular timeslot
5. Gambling advertising – 81% want gambling ads banned at venues; 78% want them removed from TV and streaming
Grand Final: 82% of fans want the traditional 2.30pm start time retained, while 92% want more tickets reserved for competing club members. The AFLFA is calling on the AFL to increase the current allocation of 17,500 per club to 20,000 tickets, with the additional tickets coming from the corporate sales pool.
Inclusion – 49% of fans believe the AFL is sufficiently proactive in promoting inclusion with support for AFLW and Indigenous programs but want consistent, meaningful action over symbolism. 73% of fans support AFLW/AFL double headers.
AFL Fans Association President Ron Issko said:
“Fans are deeply loyal — they turn up because they love the game. But loyalty has limits. Satisfaction with the AFL is now at its lowest level since the survey began. If the AFL continues to prioritise revenue over the needs of fans, it risks eroding the passion that underpins record crowds and memberships.” 2
The survey also found:
- One in three fans who attended games in 2025 found their experience was worse than last year
- 96% want the AFL to consult the AFLFA before making decisions that affect fans
- 90% support an AFLFA representative on the AFL Competition Committee
Ron added:
“Fans are not against growth or revenue — they just want their voices to matter. We’ve met regularly with the AFL on these issues. Now it’s time for the league to respond to this survey and work with us on solutions. The ball is in the AFL’s court.”
AFLFA membership is free, and fans are encouraged to join at www.aflfans.org.au
More information: Email: media@aflfans.org.au.