AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has today announced a new all-time AFL Club membership record of 1,264,952 members. 

The Gold Coast SUNS were one of 15 AFL clubs to post a record membership number in 2023, surpassing 23,000 members for the first time in its history.

One in 21 Australians is a member of an AFL club with the SUNS tally reaching 23,359 members in 2023.

The Gold Coast was a strong contributor to an explosion in Auskick memberships as well with a 37 per cent increase in 2023, playing a key part in record participation numbers in the Sunshine State.

Home and Away attendance for the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season also broke the all-time record as 7,475,145 fans attended the season. This was 523,841 more than the previous record set in 2019 (6,951,304). 

 The average crowd per round was 311,464 fans. 

 “Quite simply we have the greatest game in the world, and the most loyal and passionate fans in world sport,” McLachlan said.

 “It has been a record-breaking season on so many levels, and it is club membership that is the marker that signifies our fans deep connection with their clubs.

“The 18 clubs do an unbelievable job in creating a sense of belonging and bringing their fans along for the journey.

“On behalf of the AFL, I’d like to thank all our fans and every club member whose support is the backbone of our game.”