With just under three weeks before the AFLW season commences, fans have signalled their support for the competition with record-breaking membership numbers.

33,577 AFLW Club members have already signed on for the competition's sixth season, which is set to get underway on January 7, an increase on 25,782 in season 2021.

The 2022 tally includes all eighteen clubs, with Essendon, Hawthorn, Sydney and Port Adelaide due to officially join the competition by the end of 2023. All four have been granted AFLW licenses.

AFL Executive General Manager Customer and Commercial Kylie Rogers said the growing membership numbers are reflective of the community excitement for the upcoming season.

“It’s fantastic to see football fans from across the country show their support for the sixth season of the NAB AFLW competition, which continues to go from strength to strength both on and off the field,” Ms. Rogers said.  “To reach record AFLW Club membership figures ahead of the first bounce of the 2022 NAB AFLW season is an outstanding achievement, and we’re excited to see this energy for women’s football continue in the lead up to the opening round on January 7.”

Normally due to start in December, the 2022 season was pushed back by a month due to Covid restrictions and border uncertainty. Now due to start in the midst of a packed January sporting landscape, competing with the BBL, the A-Leagues and the Australian Open, the record membership numbers have come at a crucial time for the league.

AFL General Manager of Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone said that the numbers were "pleasing" for the competition, as it begins officially expanding to 18 teams in the coming years.

“It’s extremely pleasing to see fans from our newly licensed AFLW Clubs support their teams ahead of their inclusion in season seven and provide some healthy competition for our current AFLW club members to rise to the challenge and continue to show their passion for the game,” Ms. Livingstone said.“With the festive season upon us and a new NAB AFLW Season around the corner, there’s no better time to buy a membership at your club and show your support for women’s football.”

The Sydney Swans, who won't enter the competition until the seventh season, currently lead the membership tally, with 3,501 members.