Number-one ticket holder

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A number-one ticket holder is a person who holds membership ticket #1 of a particular sporting club. Possession of the number one ticket is largely symbolic. The tradition of having a number one ticket holder is mainly observed in Australia, and originated with the Australian Football League (AFL), the elite professional competition of Australian rules football.[ citation needed ] To increase the club's visibility and exposure, the ticket is often presented to a famous person or former athlete.

Contents

Australian Football League

The Australian Football League is the premier Australian rules football competition in Australia. Most clubs nominate a single number one ticket holder each year. [1]

Number one ticket holders
ClubTicket holderRef.
Adelaide Football Club Guy Sebastian (2024–Present) [2]
Brisbane Lions Dan Anstey and Abby Coleman (2023–Present) [3]
Carlton Football Club Leisel Jones (2023–Present) and Stephen Kernahan (2025–Present) [4]
Collingwood Football Club None
Essendon Football Club Kim Brennan (2017–Present)
[5] [6]
Fremantle Football Club Kevin Parker (2021–Present) [7]
Geelong Football Club Rebecca Maddern (2016–Present) [8]
Gold Coast Football Club Bruce Coulson and Jill Mathieson (2019–Present) [9]
Greater Western Sydney Giants Mitchell Starc and Alyssa Healy (2025–Present) [10] [11]
Hawthorn Football Club Emma Race (2019–Present) and John Kennedy Jr. (2017–Present) [12]
Melbourne Football Club Robert Flower (2011–?) [13]
North Melbourne Football Club Ricky Ponting (2006–Present) [14]
Port Adelaide Football Club Teresa Palmer (2009–?) [15] [16] [17]
Richmond Football Club Mick Molloy (2013–?), Ashleigh Barty (AFLW) (2020–Present) [18] [19]
St Kilda Football Club Eric Bana (2010–Present) [20]
Sydney Swans Jason Kimberley (2025–Present) [21]
West Coast Eagles Jack Cowin (2025–Present)
Western Bulldogs Alan Johnstone (2014–Present) [22] [23]

National Rugby League

The National Rugby League is the premier rugby league competition in Australasia. Known dates are included in brackets.

ClubTicket holder
Brisbane Broncos Paul Tarlington (2014–24) [24] [25] [26] [27]
Andrew Fraser ("until he left politics" in 2012) [28]
Kevin Rudd (2013–14) [29] [30]
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Don Burke
Canberra Raiders Mark Webber (2010) [31]
Brad Haddin (2005, 2009) [32]
Bob Hawke (1984, 1989) [33] [34]
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Elle Macpherson (1994) [35]

Cathy Freeman [36]
Peter Costello [37]
Scott Morrison (2016) [38]

Gold Coast Titans Clarkey’s Rugby League Column
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Gladys Berejiklian (2018)
Melbourne Storm Ian "Molly" Meldrum [39] [40]
Julia Gillard [41] [42]
Josh Frydenberg (2019) [43]
Newcastle Knights Matthew Williams
New Zealand Warriors Peter "The Mad Butcher" Leitch [44]
North Queensland Cowboys Taj
Parramatta Eels Danny Green [45]
Penrith Panthers Mark Geyer (2012–2016) [46] [47]
South Sydney Rabbitohs Russell Crowe Phil Jamieson
Anthony Albanese [48]
St. George Illawarra Dragons John Howard [49] [50]
Sydney Roosters Malcolm Turnbull [51]
Wests Tigers Binet Homes [52]
Lee Hagipantelis (2014–15) [53]

A-League

The A-League is a professional men's soccer league in Australia and New Zealand.

ClubTicket holderReference
Central Coast Mariners Julie Goodwin (2016–) [54]
Melbourne Heart FC Jon Bon Jovi (2010; international) [55]
Melbourne Victory FC George Calombaris (2015) [56]
Perth Glory FC Lucy Sage (2011–2012)

Dawn Fraser (2014–2015)

Stephen Coniglio (2021–)

[57] [58] [59]

ANZ Championship

The ANZ Championship was the premier netball league in Australia and New Zealand that existed between 2008 and 2016.

ClubTicket holderReference
Queensland Firebirds Anna Bligh (2008) [60]

National Basketball League

The National Basketball League (NBL) is the premier professional basketball league in Australia and New Zealand.

ClubTicket holderReference
Sydney Kings Dominic Perrottet (2021) [61]

Suncorp Super Netball

Suncorp Super Netball is the premier professional netball league in Australia. The inaugural season commenced in February 2017.

ClubTicket holderReference
Melbourne Vixens Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Jane McDonald (2020) [62]
West Coast Fever Nadia Mitsopoulos (2020) [63]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Your AFL club's No.1 ticket holder" . Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  2. ↑ "Guy Sebastian announced as AFC No. 1 Ticketholder". afc.com.au. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  3. ↑ Lions, Brisbane (March 2023). "Brisbane Lions on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  4. ↑ "Stephen Kernahan receives new accolade". Carlton Football Club. Australian Football League. 3 April 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  5. ↑ "Number One Ticket Holder". Essendon Football Club. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  6. ↑ "AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL Peacock No 1 at Penney Wight camp". The Canberra Times . Vol. 59, no. 18, 098. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 17 April 1985. p. 38. Retrieved 14 December 2021– via National Library of Australia.
  7. ↑ Robinson, Chris (22 May 2021). "Fremantle Dockers announce Tame Impala's Kevin Parker as new No.1 ticketholder". PerthNow . Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  8. ↑ "Maddern named No. 1 ticket holder". geelongcats.com.au. 23 February 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  9. ↑ "SUNS announce #1 Ticket Holders". goldcoastfc.com.au. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  10. ↑ "Giants announce Melissa Doyle as number one ticket holder" (Press release). Greater Western Sydney Giants. 26 February 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  11. ↑ "Starc and Healy Announced as GIANTS' Next Number One Ticket Holders". GWS Giants. Australian Football League. 2 March 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  12. ↑ "Letter to members: No.1 ticket holders". Hawthorn Football Club . 5 March 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  13. ↑ "Flower named No.1 ticket holder". melbournefc.com.au. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  14. ↑ Wortman, Jeff (2 April 2009). "Who's your No.1?". Herald Sun . Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  15. ↑ "Teresa Palmer Power's No. 1". portadelaidefc.com.au. 29 January 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  16. ↑ Lane, Samantha (2 January 2008). "Riding the roller-coaster". The Age. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  17. ↑ "Santic Port No. 1". The Advertiser . 25 March 2006. p. 106.
  18. ↑ "AFL 2020: Ash Barty Richmond, premiership cup presenters, Brendan Fevola, AFL Grand Final, Geelong vs Richmond". Fox Sports Australia . 21 October 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  19. ↑ "sport Fun, competition at Melbourne Junior Carnival". The Australian Jewish News . Vol. 103, no. 44. New South Wales, Australia. 7 August 1998. p. 46. Retrieved 14 December 2021– via National Library of Australia.
  20. ↑ Tullberg, Julie (25 June 2010). "Actor Eric Bana named Saints No. 1 ticketholder". Herald Sun . Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  21. ↑ "2025 Number 1 Ticket Holder: Jason Kimberley". Sydney Swans. Australian Football League. 17 February 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  22. ↑ "Johnstone named no.1 ticket holder". Western Bulldogs. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  23. ↑ Julia's Number One AFL.com.au 2 March 2011
  24. ↑ Chenoweth, Neil (5 August 2005). "Lachlan's legacy: $560m lost on Super League". The Australian Financial Review . South Sydney Rabbitohs. Archived from the original on 14 March 2006. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  25. ↑ Murphy, Mitchell (5 October 2007). "Bid to take over Broncos". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  26. ↑ Heming, Wayne (3 March 2008). "Broncos recruit powerful player in Rudd". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  27. ↑ Flynn, Michael (4 December 2009). "Who's Number One?". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  28. ↑ Ludlow, Mark; Cranston, Matthew (1 October 2015). "Queenslanders face off in battle for league's best". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  29. ↑ Kelly, Joe (21 August 2013). "Tony Abbott scores at Kevin Rudd's home ground with $5m for Broncos upgrade". The Australian. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  30. ↑ Masters, Roy (13 August 2014). "Brisbane Broncos cross the line in political divide". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  31. ↑ Hind, Richard (23 March 2010). "Webber the formula for success". The Age. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  32. ↑ Haddin is Canberra's No.1 DailyTelegraph 13 December 2008
  33. ↑ "Record impresses Hawke". The Canberra Times . Vol. 58, no. 17, 712. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 27 March 1984. p. 27. Retrieved 14 December 2021– via National Library of Australia.
  34. ↑ Ricky Stuart and the Canberra Raiders remember Bob Hawke Canberra Times. 17 May 2019
  35. ↑ corporateName=National Museum of Australia; address=Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula. "National Museum of Australia – Footy fans". www.nma.gov.au. Retrieved 21 December 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  36. ↑ "Being No. 1 means a lot more than just the ticket". 29 March 2008.
  37. ↑ "Being No. 1 means a lot more than just the ticket". 29 March 2008.
  38. ↑ "Scott Morrison the '#1 Ticket Holder'". sharks.com.au. 15 March 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  39. ↑ "Being No. 1 means a lot more than just the ticket". 29 March 2008.
  40. ↑ "Gillard is Storm's No.1 ticket holder » League Unlimited".
  41. ↑ "Being No. 1 means a lot more than just the ticket". 29 March 2008.
  42. ↑ "Gillard is Storm's No.1 ticket holder » League Unlimited".
  43. ↑ Frydenberg #1 ticket holder, 9 October 2019, retrieved 17 March 2021
  44. ↑ "Warriors' success draws new fans". 25 September 2008.
  45. ↑ "Dragons beat heat ... And Eels". 15 February 2010.
  46. ↑ Glover, Ben (29 February 2012). "Mark Geyer says Penrith star Michael Gordon is the next Billy Slater and should play fullback for the Panthers". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  47. ↑ Logue, Matt (8 September 2016). "Mark Geyer calls on Penrith fans to show their passion and turn up for the NRL elimination final". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  48. ↑ "Even the prime minister had to pull strings for a ticket to the Allianz Stadium opener". 2 September 2022.
  49. ↑ "Being No. 1 means a lot more than just the ticket". 29 March 2008.
  50. ↑ "We're for Sydney". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  51. ↑ "Being No. 1 means a lot more than just the ticket". 29 March 2008.
  52. ↑ "Being No. 1 means a lot more than just the ticket". 29 March 2008.
  53. ↑ "Brydens Lawyers commit to Wests Tigers". weststigers.com.au. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  54. ↑ "Julie Goodwin unveiled as Mariners Number 1 Ticket Holder | Central Coast Mariners". Ccmariners.com.au. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  55. ↑ "Jon Bon Jovi named Melbourne Heart's No.1 international ticket holder". Fox Sports. 24 July 2010.
  56. ↑ "Melbourne Victory's No. 1 ticket-holder George Calombaris pumped for grand final". The Age . 15 May 2015. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023.
  57. ↑ "LUCY SAGE NAMED NUMBER ONE TICKET HOLDER". Perth Glory FC. 4 November 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  58. ↑ "It's A Wrap: The People's Game". Perth Glory FC. 27 January 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  59. ↑ "Coniglio confirmed as club's #1 Ticket Holder". Perth Glory FC. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  60. ↑ "Brand New Queensland Firebirds". Australian Netball. 22 November 2007. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  61. ↑ "Premier Perrottet becomes Sydney Kings No.1 ticket holder – Hoops Capital Academy". Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  62. ↑ "Melbourne Vixens name inaugural #1 ticket holders". Melbourne Vixens. March 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  63. ↑ "West Coast Fever announce No.1 ticket holder for 2020 season". West Coast Fever. Retrieved 25 May 2021.