Collingwood fans during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between St Kilda and Collingwood (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

The AFL has confirmed that club memberships around the league have surpassed one million, hitting the target three weeks earlier than 2022.

Richmond and West Coast top the leadership tally, but the league also confirmed that three quarters of clubs have improved on their 2022 membership standings, a year in which 14 clubs broke their membership records.

The news comes after record-breaking crowds attended the opening two rounds of the season, with a total of 765,789 fans through the gates.

League boss Gillon McLachlan thanked fans for their support in the competition through an AFL statement.

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"Footy is well and truly back across the country. The first two rounds have delivered in spades – no restrictions, all-time record crowds, price freeze GA ticketing at MCG and Marvel, physical membership cards are back, and now more than one-million club members well ahead of the record breaking 2022 season, we couldn't be prouder of our start to the year,” McLachlan said.

"On behalf of the AFL, I'd like to thank all 18 Clubs for their hard work in engaging with our fans across the country and to every club member whose passion and support makes footy the greatest game in the world.”

Round 3 of the 2023 season kicks off on Thursday, March 30, when the Western Bulldogs host the Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium.