Acting Premier James Merlino said the Victorian government hoped to increase sports stadium capacity to 100 per cent, but would not commit to increasing the attendance cap before the traditional Anzac Day AFL clash.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s everyone\u2019s aim and ambition that we go from 75 per cent to 100 per cent,\u201d he said. \u201cWe all want to see that change. It\u2019s all about contact tracing … and the ability for public health to contact trace.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The first Anzac day clash between Essendon and Collingwood in 1995 attracted a packed house. It is still uncertain if that will be allowed to happen this year.<\/span>Credit:<\/span>John Woudstra<\/cite><\/p>\n The current stadium capacity in Victoria is 75 per cent, and the AFL has previously said it was hopeful of being able to fill the MCG for the match between Essendon and Collingwood.<\/p>\n But Victoria\u2019s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said last month that it would be \u201cpretty tricky\u201d to fill large venues such as the MCG to 100 per cent and still maintain separate zones.<\/p>\n \u201cI think, for very large venues, getting to 100 per cent is pretty tricky. You\u2019ve got to maintain those hard zones so you do need that space to be able to have the infrastructure to separate people,\u201d he said in March.<\/p>\n The AFL announced a ticketing data collection trial would be in place for two matches in Victoria in round five, to \u201cassist the league in getting back to 100 per cent capacity\u201d for matches in the state.<\/p>\n Anyone purchasing tickets for Carlton\u2019s match against Port Adelaide at the MCG or the Western Bulldogs\u2019 match against Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium will be required to enter the name and contact number of each person attending the match.<\/p>\n Previously, people buying tickets would only need to enter one person\u2019s details in the attending group.<\/p>\n The AFL said the aim was to best assist with contact tracing and that fans could be contacted faster and more efficiently in the event of a COVID-related outbreak.<\/p>\n \u201cA successful trial further mitigates community risk and assists the AFL\u2019s case to get back towards 100 per cent capacity in venues for matches,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n Victoria recorded no new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday. There were 10,338 test results processed and 2,426 vaccine jabs administered.<\/p>\n There remain three active cases across the state, all in hotel quarantine.<\/p>\n