The AFL and Etihad Stadiums management have reached an agreement on a new deal which will see a boost in the financial returns for Victorian Clubs from matches located at the Docklands venue.

The agreement reach by both parties ensures that AFL Clubs will share an additional $5.5 million a year in income from 2010 until the expiration of the lease period in March 2025. This payment is in addition to the existing income including match returns, AFL arena advertising and other benefits that specific clubs have under already existing arrangements. Additionally the AFL has agreed to increase the number of matches held at the Stadium by 130 over the next 15 years.

This deal also provides Etihad Stadium with more flexibility in the AFL draw and enables it to hold additional major entertainment/sporting events during the AFL season, which includes and up and coming AC/DC Concerts. AC/DC’s concerts next February will go ahead as planned at Etihad Stadium and although they were likely to clash with the 2010 NAB Cup, Andrew Demetriou has suggested that the first round of the pre-season cup to be played over a 2-3 week period.

Following the announced of the new agreement AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou, Stadium CEO Ian Collins and Western Bulldogs President David Smorgon fronted the media. Demetriou thanked Ian Collins for his efforts to get the deal secured and said that it was “a great day for our clubs who play matches here at Etihad Stadium”. He further added that the agreement acknowledges the importance of the AFL Clubs to Etihad Stadium and the importance of Etihad Stadium to the AFL Clubs.