WA footy fans pay more for food
WA football fans will pay more for game day food and drink than supporters in other States.
The WA Football Commission and Domain Stadium are set to launch their 2015 menus and pricing today.
But The West Australian can reveal that local fans will pay more than 50 per cent more for some items than those at the MCG.
It includes $5.50 for a 600ml soft drink at Domain Stadium compared with $4 at the MCG, $4.70 for a bottle of Mount Franklin compared with $3 and $6 for hot chips compared with $4. A hot dog at Domain will cost $6, but $4 at the MCG.
The MCG announced last month that it was dramatically cutting food prices to lure families back to football.
Domain Stadium chief executive Gavin Taylor said pricing there was consistent with the national average for AFL venues. He said the MCG's pricing was an anomaly.
An analysis by The West Australian shows that where a comparison is possible, items at Domain Stadium will be more expensive than those at the MCG, Adelaide Oval and Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.
For example, Adelaide Oval - which an Adelaide newspaper last week claimed had the most expensive food and drink pricing in the country - sells hot chips for $5. Hot chips are $6 at Domain.
A pulled pork roll is $12 here and $9 in Adelaide and chicken strips with chips cost $12 at Domain compared with $6.90 for chicken nuggets and chips at Adelaide Oval.
The Domain Stadium prices are on a par - and in some cases more expensive - than food and drink at Etihad Stadium, according to the Melbourne venue's menu from last year.
Etihad Stadium is believed to be looking at reducing its prices.
The Domain Stadium pricing revelations come after the launch on Sunday night of the AFL's multimillion-dollar You Make The Game TV ad campaign, which is targeted at families and grassroots fans.
The AFL fears some are drifting away from the game because of issues including food prices.
AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said food and drink prices were important but there was little the AFL could do to force venues to lower costs. "Every venue in Australia operates under its own model for how it can make a commercial return on events at its ground," he said.
"The AFL is keen to see football fans across Australia attend our games in large numbers and then be able to enjoy their day at the football.
"Food and drink prices are a key issue for many fans and we are always keen to see prices as affordable as possible."
Mr Taylor said prices for the "classic" range of food - chips, hot dogs, hamburgers, water and pies - would remain at last year's prices.
Speaking outside the Eagles team store at Domain Stadium yesterday, West Coast supporter and father-of-three Alfie Farrell said he was shocked to learn the stadium's food prices would be the nation's most expensive.
"It's already a fair bit to get in the gate before having to pay that much just to eat," he said.
Mr Farrell said he was surprised that a soft drink would cost $5.50.
"For a family with three kids, it's $20 or more just for a drink each," he said. "At country footy you get a can for $2."
