THE AFL has renewed its push for 75 per cent crowd capacity in Victoria to start the AFL season.
But the league is more hopeful of getting approval for 60 per cent from the state government ahead of the Richmond-Carlton season opener on March 18.
The AFL and the Melbourne Cricket Club, as ground manager for the MCG, last month presented a government proposal for 75,000 fans at the stadium to kick-off the season before a statewide snap lockdown derailed the bid.
But Melbourne-based club CEO’s spoken to by SEN.com.au are once again optimistic of hosting more fans at Round 1 games in what would be a huge boost after a year of no crowds in the state.
As things stand, the league has approval for 50 per cent capacity at the MCG, Marvel Stadium and GMHBA Stadium. But an answer on whether those venues will be allowed accommodate more will be made soon.
Elsewhere, the SCG currently has approval for 75 per cent capacity (36,000), Adelaide Oval has 75 per cent (40,000) and Optus Stadium moves to 75 per cent (45,000) on March 15.
There are no crowd limits at the Gabba or Metricon Stadium.
Tickets for home club members for the majority of Round 1 games will go on sale at 1pm Tuesday, with tickets to be released on a week-by-week basis in the early part of the season.
To assist with contact tracing and appropriate social distancing, members will be required to redeem a digital ticket via the relevant venue ticket agent in advance of each game, at no cost.
Victorian footy fans will be segregated into as many as six zones, while staggered entry plans will also be put in place for crowds.