Could letting fans into stadiums actually cost more money than it would make?

Brisbane CEO Greg Swann believes if crowds are to be allowed at AFL games in 2020, enough need to be let in to make it worthwhile.

When asked on Sportsday whether letting a smattering of fans in could actually cost stadiums and clubs money, Swann said it was something they had already discussed with the Gabba and it is something to factor in.

“We’ve spoken to the Gabba about that and it’s a good point,” Swann said.

“You may be able to get people in every third seat and things and put them all around the stadium, but then you’re going to have to have extra security so they don’t encroach on the three seats and a lot of those things.”

Despite that, Swann said they are working out solutions in order to make it financially valid for all parties.

“There’s certainly a want from the stadiums and obviously from the clubs to get people back, so we’re all looking at that and modelling how it’s going to work and they’ve come up with some concepts even in the early stages that might work for us financially and getting people back in,” he said.

“Back-end of the year, July or August certainly, you’d be over the moon if you could get people back into those stadiums.”

The NRL is aiming to have crowds back at their games in July, while the AFL is yet to put a date on it.