2025 Crowd Watch

[Jamberoo]

By that same logic, should the Maroons or Broncos move games to the new Olympic Stadium which will have an extra 11k seats?

We will never get rectangular stadiums built or upgraded if teams are just happy to move key games to oval stadiums with a bigger capacity. The experience for the supporters should come first before how many people you can fit. The NFL know this really well.

Not at all.
29k to 45k at Marvel is a 55% increase.
52.5k at Suncorp to 63k is a 20% increase.
Plus, Marvel with the stands in is better for RL than ACCOR, and even without the seats in is better than the new Brisbane stadium will be. The playing field is small, the rake of the stands step, and the upper levels overhang and are close to the action.

Melbourne is not getting, and does not need a bigger rectangular stadium (biggest crowd during the regular season was 26k), so if you can expose an extra 15k to 20k to a game like we had on Friday night, that is a very good thing.

 

[newc18]

Not at all.
29k to 45k at Marvel is a 55% increase.
52.5k at Suncorp to 63k is a 20% increase.
Plus, Marvel with the stands in is better for RL than ACCOR, and even without the seats in is better than the new Brisbane stadium will be. The playing field is small, the rake of the stands step, and the upper levels overhang and are close to the action.

If you can expose an extra 15k to 20k to a game like we had on Friday night, that is a very good thing.

Marvel Stadium even with the stands moved in is a worse experience than AAMI Park. You might get a decent view on the lower tier with the retractable stand, but you're still stuck in position on the upper two tiers. There is also no guarantee that the retractable stands would even be allowed to be moved in.

Let's just focus on the Storm packing out AAMI for every single game and then you have ammo for the state government to increase the capacity down the line. I also bet if you were to ask the Storm they would be against moving games to Marvel as well.

The Swans were in a similar position when they were playing games at Homebush instead of the SCG, but then they realised it just wasn't worth it. The fans hated it.

 

[beave]

I did the Storm Broncs prelim at Marvel/Etihad in 2009 and the view on the 2nd tier was okay. There's far worse views at Accor (the end stands for example). I know AAMI had potential for expansion but the caveat was that the roof removal was going to be a huge cost, I don't think they would ever go ahead with a capacity increase. 40k would have been the ideal capacity from the start but all the capacity fruitery caps the AFL and whoever else got involved killed that dream.

AAMI is a great stadium, I would have played the prelim there as well Friday if I was the NRL.

 

[Jamberoo]

Marvel Stadium even with the stands moved in is a worse experience than AAMI Park. You might get a decent view on the lower tier with the retractable stand, but you're still stuck in position on the upper two tiers. There is also no guarantee that the retractable stands would even be allowed to be moved in.

Let's just focus on the Storm packing out AAMI for every single game and then you have ammo for the state government to increase the capacity down the line. I also bet if you were to ask the Storm they would be against moving games to Marvel as well.

The Swans were in a similar position when they were playing games at Homebush instead of the SCG, but then they realised it just wasn't worth it. The fans hated it.

1. There is no problems bringing g the stands in from September to March.
2. AAMI cannot be expanded due to the fancy roof.
3. Swans fans hated the location of ACCOR, Marvel is in the CBD next to a station that services every train line. Apples and oranges.

 

[newc18]

1. There is no problems bringing g the stands in from September to March.
2. AAMI cannot be expanded due to the fancy roof.
3. Swans fans hated the location of ACCOR, Marvel is in the CBD next to a station that services every train line. Apples and oranges.

1. Doesn't mean the AFL will be cooperative. I also don't like giving AFL money. We have a purpose built stadium, just keep using that.
2. AAMI has foundations for expansion to 50,000. The roof would have to be changed but its built with expansion in mind. The more sellouts at AAMI, the more ammo we have.
3. It wasn't just the location, it was the fact the stadium was a terrible experience for fans, something that NRL fans understand all too well.

The experience should come first before how many people you can fit. Stop using oval stadiums period.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

AAMI will never be expanded . The cost of removing the roof would be more than building a new stadium from scratch .

Will never happen.

 

[newc18]

AAMI will never be expanded . The cost of removing the roof would be more than building a new stadium from scratch .

Will never happen.

Then we keep putting the pressure on either a new stadium or an upgrade by filling AAMI as much as possible.

If the Storm move games to Marvel, it's basically telling the State Government that they don't mind playing in oval stadiums. There goes the ammo for either building a new stadium or upgrading AAMI Park down the line.

 

[Wb1234]

1. There is no problems bringing g the stands in from September to March.
2. AAMI cannot be expanded due to the fancy roof.
3. Swans fans hated the location of ACCOR, Marvel is in the CBD next to a station that services every train line. Apples and oranges.

I’ve been to Marvel 3 times it wasn’t too bad from level 2

Think I sat in the rectangular mode seats on the ground tier for an England v Australia test match

Never been to aami

Hope you guys keep looking to take the Anzac Day game to the mcg or marvel as an event game

 

[Senor M]

Hope you guys keep looking to take the Anzac Day game to the mcg or marvel as an event game

The ‘G is unavailable on Anzac Day due to the Essendon/Collingwood game, but Marvel would be available.

It would be in the oval configuration in April as other AFL games would like be played there over that weekend.

The discussion back in April was moving the Storm/Warriors game (that wasn’t on Anzac Day this year) to the MCG during the April school holidays when the AFL is out of town for “Gather Round”.

Ideally the Storm would be using a rectangular Marvel rather than an oval configuration @ either the G or Marvel, but that would have to involve longer term discussions—- for example—- Storm playing a Marvel home game the same weekend as the Vegas R1 matches OR in Round 27 after the AFL is done with Marvel for the season

 

[Wb1234]

The ‘G is unavailable on Anzac Day due to the Essendon/Collingwood game, but Marvel would be available.

It would be in the oval configuration in April as other AFL games would like be played there over that weekend.

The discussion back in April was moving the Storm/Warriors game (that wasn’t on Anzac Day this year) to the MCG during the April school holidays when the AFL is out of town for “Gather Round”.

Ideally the Storm would be using a rectangular Marvel rather than an oval configuration @ either the G or Marvel, but that would have to involve longer term discussions—- for example—- Storm playing a Marvel home game the same weekend as the Vegas R1 matches OR in Round 27 after the AFL is done with Marvel for the season

Yeh my bad I was thinking of gather round when I said Anzac Day that would be better.

 

[Senor M]

1. Doesn't mean the AFL will be cooperative. I also don't like giving AFL money.

So your entire argument boils down to your personal feelings about giving the AFL money.

Repeatedly insisting that the AFL wouldn’t cooperate, based on no evidence is your personal feelings—- not reality.

The reality is that the AFL is willing to accommodate other codes if it makes them money. That’s why Marvel Stadium is busy during the AFL off-season with Concerts, Motocross, University graduations & cricket.

It is how the NFL will get access and priority to timeslots to the MCG in September 2026, despite it being AFL finals

 

[Senor M]

Yeh my bad I was thinking of gather round when I said Anzac Day that would be better.

I think the Gather Round at the ‘G is going to happen— likely in 2026, as 2027 will be the return of SOO

 

[newc18]

So your entire argument boils down to your personal feelings about giving the AFL money.

Repeatedly insisting that the AFL wouldn’t cooperate, based on no evidence is your personal feelings—- not reality.

The reality is that the AFL is willing to accommodate other codes if it makes them money. That’s why Marvel Stadium is busy during the AFL off-season with Concerts, Motocross, University graduations & cricket.

It is how the NFL will get access and priority to timeslots to the MCG in September 2026, despite it being AFL finals

Can you seriously read properly? How on earth do you read everything that I said in the last few posts and come to the conclusion that 'I also don't like giving AFL money' is my entire argument? I literally gave multiple points on why I want them to stay at AAMI Park.

I never once said the AFL wouldn't let them play there (I believe they are required to allow other sports to play there), but bringing in the stands isn't something they are required to do. The NFL are also getting access to the MCG because they are the biggest sporting competition on earth and the Victorian government paid them a shit ton of money for them. The AFL also benefit from this which is why they don't have an issue. (Eddie McGuire has said this quite a few times). I believe they have a partnership with the NFL where the AFL will get advertised.

 

[Senor M]

Can you seriously read properly? How on earth do you read everything that I said in the last few posts and come to the conclusion that 'I also don't like giving AFL money' is my entire argument? I literally gave multiple points on why I want them to stay at AAMI Park.

I never once said the AFL wouldn't let them play there (I believe they are required to allow other sports to play there), but bringing in the stands isn't something they are required to do. The NFL are also getting access to the MCG because they are the biggest sporting competition on earth and the Victorian government paid them a shit ton of money for them. The AFL also benefit from this which is why they don't have an issue. (Eddie McGuire has said this quite a few times). I believe they have a partnership with the NFL where the AFL will get advertised.

You haven’t provided one genuine reason as to why Marvel Stadium can’t be turned into a rectangular stadium other than your personal dislike for the AFL—- because you’re unable to understand that multiple sporting codes can exist in one city.

 

[yakstorm]

If the Storm move games to Marvel, it's basically telling the State Government that they don't mind playing in oval stadiums. There goes the ammo for either building a new stadium or upgrading AAMI Park down the line.

I'd disagree. I mean we all know one of the driving forces in the MRS getting built all together and getting built to a 30K capacity versus the original 20K was the Melbourne Victory.

Yes the Storm & Rebels played a part, but the Victory moving from Olympic Park to the then named Telstra Dome in their second season and drawing large crowds (they averaged 27,728 in year 1 & over 20K in their 4 seasons) helped shape the argument that a 20K capacity was too small for the new venue.

If the Storm were to move games to Marvel, they have the opportunity to set the narrative around why they're moving those games and can very easily put out that they feel AAMI Park is too small for the size of the club.

 

[NWQRabbit]

Whilst 30k at aami is small for a prelim, it is exactly where we want it to be for regular season. Storm averaged 22k with a sell out being 27k (everyone with half a brain knows why a sellout in regular season is less than capacity).

 

[newc18]

You haven’t provided one genuine reason as to why Marvel Stadium can’t be turned into a rectangular stadium other than your personal dislike for the AFL—- because you’re unable to understand that multiple sporting codes can exist in one city.

Before you keep making a fool of yourself, please go back and actually read what I said.

I never once said they wouldn't, I said there is no guarantee that they would. Nobody on here knows what they would actually do. There has been times where rectangular sports have been played at marvel during that period and the seats haven't been moved in. But even if they did allow it, it's still worse than playing at AAMI Park.

A packed out crowd in a smaller modern rectangular stadium that the fans love to be at is better than a bigger crowd in a average stadium providing a worse experience. The Warriors understand this completely and yet you guys want them to move games to Eden Park even though their fans would hate it. Some people on here are way to obsessive about playing in big stadiums. AAMI Park is one of the best Rugby League grounds in the country. Ask the fans who were at the game on Friday what they would prefer?

Also I actually don't dislike the AFL at all. I watched the GF yesterday and enjoyed it, but please keep going on as if you know me.

 

[newc18]

I'd disagree. I mean we all know one of the driving forces in the MRS getting built all together and getting built to a 30K capacity versus the original 20K was the Melbourne Victory.

Yes the Storm & Rebels played a part, but the Victory moving from Olympic Park to the then named Telstra Dome in their second season and drawing large crowds (they averaged 27,728 in year 1 & over 20K in their 4 seasons) helped shape the argument that a 20K capacity was too small for the new venue.

If the Storm were to move games to Marvel, they have the opportunity to set the narrative around why they're moving those games and can very easily put out that they feel AAMI Park is too small for the size of the club.

Fair enough, happy to just agree to disagree.

 

[Wb1234]

I'd disagree. I mean we all know one of the driving forces in the MRS getting built all together and getting built to a 30K capacity versus the original 20K was the Melbourne Victory.

Yes the Storm & Rebels played a part, but the Victory moving from Olympic Park to the then named Telstra Dome in their second season and drawing large crowds (they averaged 27,728 in year 1 & over 20K in their 4 seasons) helped shape the argument that a 20K capacity was too small for the new venue.

If the Storm were to move games to Marvel, they have the opportunity to set the narrative around why they're moving those games and can very easily put out that they feel AAMI Park is too small for the size of the club.

I think we need to be clear it would be for a prelim and one event game whilst aami is used for the rest

I can’t see the storm outgrowing its capacity anytime soon and it gives them a buffer when their form isn’t so good

 

[newc18]

I think we need to be clear it would be for a prelim and one event game whilst aami is used for the rest

I can’t see the storm outgrowing its capacity anytime soon and it gives them a buffer when their form isn’t so good

Let's say they make the prelim next year and decide to have it Marvel, what crowd do they realistically get?