How Aussies with disability are attending this week’s AFL Grand Final

Key points:

• Approximately 100,000 people are expected to watch the AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground this Saturday, September 28, 2024
• Attendees with disability are invited to use the sensory space and advise staff if they need assistance
• Wearing earplugs during the pre-game entertainment and the game could help to minimise noise and help you enjoy watching this sport live

With the 2024 AFL Grand Final this weekend, the Melbourne Cricket Ground will ensure that Australians with disability can enjoy the live game with accessibility in mind.

The Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions will play to win the 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership Cup at this year’s AFL Grand Final on Saturday, September 28, 2024

The Melbourne Cricket Ground has several accessible options for people with sensory difficulties or hidden disability. Football stadiums and sporting events are generally becoming more inclusive, making it easier for people living with disability to get involved.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground can seat up to 100,024 attendees, with accessible seating available in all stands. To find your accessible seat more easily, refer to the accessible seating map. These must be booked in advance through the official Ticketek booking system. 

Accessible seating at the Melbourne Cricket Ground refers to wheelchair spaces, companion seating and seats with extra amenities. Wheelchair spaces do not include seats as the attendee is expected to use their wheelchair. Extra amenities seats provide slightly more space between seats with extra legroom and require only climbing or descending a maximum of four steps to access the seat. 

Conversely, for some people with disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder, being in loud crowded areas can be distressing — even if the event is something they looked forward to, such as watching football live in the stadium. Planning is a good way to minimise related stress for people with a sensitivity to overstimulation.

For example, visual stories can help people with autism spectrum disorder understand the process of going to watch a game of football in a stadium. There is also a low sensory space in Melbourne Cricket Ground for patrons to use. This is located in the Australian Sports Museum at Gate Three on Level One and is wheelchair-accessible via a lift and ramp.

As all 100,000 seats are expected to be occupied during this year’s Grand Final, officials may need to enforce the 20-minute maximum time per person in the sensory space. A maximum of 30 people can be accommodated at one time. 

Wearing a sunflower lanyard can help staff members identify that you have a hidden disability and can assist accordingly. To learn more about the benefits of using sunflower lanyards, head over to this article: Sunflower lanyards are brightening the way for people with disability.

Stadiums such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground can get busy quickly so arriving early and finding your seat can relieve some stress of the unknown. Additionally, many people head to the food outlets during the half-time break. Going to the food areas outside of these times, such as when the game is still on, might mean you miss seeing a goal but it will reduce the time you spend queuing and bustling past others. 

While the AFL Grand Final game is set to kick off at 2:30pm AEST, the pre-game entertainment is expected to begin at 1pm, with headliner act, Katy Perry, performing approximately five songs. 

Using earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones can minimise the impact of excessive noise from the increased music volume and people shouting and talking loudly. 

Additionally, being aware of others’ behaviour can be important — when alcohol is involved, fights can break out at the football. 

To report anti-social behaviour anonymously at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, text the dedicated security number +61 409 117 621. If you are in danger or need urgent medical help, call 000 and ask for police or ambulance assistance.

Despite neither team being from Victoria, the Victorian Government has secured the privilege of hosting all AFL Grand Final games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground until at least 2057.

Australians who aren’t attending the AFL Grand Final in person can still enjoy the festivities by gathering with friends and family to watch the game and the pre-game entertainment live on Channel Seven or 7plus. 

Approximately 5.5 million Australians live with disability, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

What team do you hope will win this AFL Grand Final?

Let the team at Talking Disability know on social media. 

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