‘Unprecedented’ demand for AFLW tickets prompts change to 53,000-capacity venue

• Essendon-Hawthorn match moved to Marvel Stadium
• More games could be moved to bigger venues this season

The inaugural AFLW match between Essendon and Hawthorn has been shifted to the 53,000-capacity Marvel Stadium after tickets for the original venue sold out within 24 hours - and more games this season could be moved to bigger stadiums if interest levels remain high.

The AFL said unprecedented ticketing demands" for the first AFLW clash between the two expansion clubs resulted in the move from Port Melbourne's ETU Stadium - which can hold 12,000 - across the Yarra River to the far larger Docklands venue.