The AFLW first round fixture between Essendon and Hawthorn has been moved to the 53,359 capacity Docklands Stadium due to massive ticket demand.
Key points:
- The game was to take place at the North Port Oval
- The venue change was made after the original ticket allocation was exhausted
- Essendon and Hawthorn are both making their AFLW debuts this season
The historic match between the two AFLW newcomers – which will be played on August 27 – was due to be held at the 12,000-capacity North Port Oval in Melbourne, but the initial ticket allocation sold out in 24 hours.
AFL Women’s Football Chief Executive Nicole Livingstone said the venue move was an indication of growing interest in the AFLW.
“We’re in an amazing place as we enter our seventh season and I couldn’t be prouder of everyone who brought us here,” she said.
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AFL executive Travis Auld said demand for tickets was “unprecedented”.
“Quite simply, the fans of both clubs and women’s football supporters in general showed why we needed to move to a bigger venue by selling out the game so quickly,” he said.
“Two proud clubs, a historic occasion for them and another historic moment for the AFLW competition.”
Port Adelaide and Sydney join Essendon and Hawthorn as new AFLW teams, meaning the competition will feature all 18 AFL clubs.
The AFLW season begins on August 25, with Carlton hosting Collingwood at Princes Park.
Adelaide and Melbourne meet in a big rematch the following night at Norwood Oval.
