Richmond and Carlton Football Clubs have re-introduced their gate-share agreement for the next 10 years, as a commitment to continue building the traditional season-opener match as a major event on the AFL calendar.
Since 2007, the clubs have faced off 10 times in the AFL season-opener blockbuster, with the average crowd for the match just under 75,000.
“Both Richmond and Carlton have invested heavily in building this game into a major event, and this announcement further underlines that joint commitment and investment for the future,” said Richmond CEO Brendon Gale.
“Both clubs love playing in the marquee match, and we know our members and fans love it, too.”
“This traditional season-opener has been an enormous success, and we’re looking forward to working closely with Carlton to continue to grow it further.”
Carlton CEO Cain Liddle welcomed the new decade-long agreement between both clubs.
“It’s a great privilege for Carlton and Richmond to be given the opportunity to open the AFL season each year, and we are excited to formalise our shared commitment to growing what is one of the AFL’s greatest rivalries,” Liddle said.
In the event that the clubs play each other only once in an AFL season, as is the case this year, the clubs have agreed on a fixed-fee return for the away team.
The 2009 record season-opener crowd of 87,043 is tipped to be broken when the two teams meet in this season's opening round clash on Thursday, March 22.
“Fans of both clubs have voted with their feet, and we expect to break the all-time attendance record for this fixture this year, which will create an exciting atmosphere at the MCG,” Gale said.
With an anticipated crowd of 90,000-plus, Richmond advises fans to join or renew as members, to provide the best opportunity of ensuring entry to the match.
“We have been advising our fans that the best way to ensure they don’t miss out on the game is to become a member. Members will get priority access when tickets go on sale next Monday morning,” Gale said.
Tickets for Round 1 will be available via ticketek.com.au at the following times…
Member Pre-sale – Monday March 5 - 9am
General public – Wednesday March 7 - 9am
All general admission members have access to upgrade to the Round 1 game and all other home games on Monday.
Members without game day access and the general public have access on Wednesday.
Richmond also will unfurl the 2017 premiership flag before the start of the season-opener match.
