We look back at what Australian sports, stadiums and content dominated in 2024 with the annual Year That Was feature on Austadiums.
Throughout 2024, Austadiums covered a total of 1,691 events at 197 stadiums across 16 sports, with total attendance of more than 22.2 million. Of the 1,372 events with an attendance figure listed, the average crowd was 16,195. Keep reading for more attendance analysis, including the most attended sports and more.
As it was in 2023, Accor Stadium topped the list of most viewed stadiums on Austadiums, with Marvel Stadium overtaking the MCG into second position.
1. Bellerive Oval rebranded Ninja Stadium2. $6B privately funded stadium proposal for Brisbane Olympics3. Leichhardt Oval saved. Iconic venue set for $40m upgrade4. Marvel Stadium redevelopment officially opens5. Victoria Park stadium ruled out despite recommendation
The commercial rebrand of Hobart’s Bellerive Oval attracted the most views in the way of stadium news, while Brisbane Olympic venue related news filled two of the top five spots.
Australia’s largest stadium, the MCG, again attracted the most spectators through its gates, with more than 3.7 million attending 64 events at the Melbourne stadium, also having the highest average crowd of 56,580. There was movement below though, with Adelaide Oval up two spots into 2nd, ahead of Marvel Stadium, Optus Stadium and Suncorp Stadium. Optus attracted the second-highest average crowds, followed by Adelaide Oval and the SCG.
Which stadium was filled the most? Hobart's MyState Bank Arena tops the list again with the JackJumpers attracting sell-out crowds, followed by the home of Super Netball's Sunshine Coast Lightning. 4 Pines Park (Brookvale) jumps ahead of Penrith Stadium as the highest outdoor stadium, and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre is 4th on the list with strong NBL and Netball crowds. (*includes stadiums with 5+ events)
The AFL again dominated sports attendance in Australia, with more than 8 million attending matches at an average of more than 38,000 per game, filling 69% of stadium capacity. The gap did close ever so slightly however, with the NRL’s crowds up on 2023. The BBL’s average crowds over the 2024 calendar year put it in second position, while the NBL’s percent of venue capacity was number one, albeit playing in smaller indoor arenas.
As per 2023, days 2-4 of the F1 Grand Prix topped the list, while the biggest stadium crowd was the AFL Grand Final, with the AFL accounting for five of the top events in the top 10. The Rugby League State of Origin match at the MCG came in at #12.
Melbourne was again attracted more spectators to sports events than any other city, well in front with both aggregate and average attendances, while the big mover was Adelaide, from 5th position up to 3rd. In terms of which cities/regions filled their stadiums the most, Sunshine Coast tops the list thanks mainly to strong Super Netball crowds, followed by Cairns and Wollongong. Of the major cities, Adelaide sits 6th on the list (63%).
All of the above crowd attendance stats are calculated from all sports events listed on Austadiums where crowd data is available. Find out more about which events are covered here.