The inaugural AFLW match between traditional rivals Essendon and Hawthorn has been moved to Marvel Stadium after tickets for a smaller venue sold out within a day.
The match will move from North Port Oval which has a capacity of 12,000 people to the 53,000 capacity Marvel Stadium in Docklands. Both teams – Essendon and Hawthorn – will be making their debut in the AFLW.
AFL General Manager Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone said the need to upgrade to a larger venue is testament to the growing appetite for the women’s game.
“We know the appetite for NAB AFLW is huge, but the strength of sales across all nine Round One matches and having an inaugural game sell out in a day is amazing,” Livingstone said.
“To be able to see two teams – and traditionally archrivals, no less – debut to a packed Marvel Stadium is the stuff dreams are made of.
“The league is whole; matches are being played in front of thousands of fans and girls across the country are aspiring to be elite players when they grow up – we’re in an incredible place coming into our seventh season and I couldn’t be prouder of every single person who got us here.”
The move to Marvel Stadium follows a campaign from AFLW clubs and fans to #MoveItToMarvel, following heightened interest in this season of AFLW.
“This week, Essendon fans got behind our AFLW side and sold out our first game within 24 hours,” Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell said.
“With immense pride, I’m pleased to announce that this game has now been moved to Marvel, so more Essendon members and fans will have the opportunity to show their support for our inaugural side.
“This move means that two clubs with passionate supporter bases will now be able to truly celebrate this important moment in both their histories.”
AFL EGM Clubs, Finance and Broadcasting Travis Auld said the move to Marvel Stadium was only possible because of the passion and commitment of fans.
“Quite simply the fans of both clubs, and supporters of women’s footy in general showed why we needed to move to a bigger venue by selling out the game so quickly,” Auld said.
“Two proud clubs, a historic occasion for them and another historic moment for the NAB AFLW competition.”
The Round One match will be played on Saturday, August 27, with kick off at 7.10pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and entry is free for patrons under the age of 18.