Collingwood announce new MCC deal, seating allocation changes

Collingwood have announced a new five-year deal with the Melbourne Cricket Club that has seen changes made to their seating allocation for away games against certain Victorian rivals.

The new contract will see Collingwood's away seat allocation on Level 2 of the MCG's Ponsford Stand removed for games against Richmond or Hawthorn, while fewer seats on Level 2 than in their current deal will be available for away matches against Carlton, Essendon or Melbourne.

Collingwood's away seat allocation has been increased on Levels 1 and 3 across all away games at the MCG, while no changes have been made to the club's access for home games.

The breakdown for Collingwood's 14 games at the MCG each season - nine at home and five away - is as follows:

Home games at the MCG

• Collingwood's Member access to the Ponsford Stand remains the same for all nine home games at the MCG with the Club retaining the same number of seats, in the same location for each of those games.

Away games at the MCG against Hawthorn and Richmond:

• Collingwood will have access to all seats on Levels 1 and 4 in the Ponsford Stand.
• Level 2 seats in the Ponsford Stand will not be available.
• Members with access to a Ponsford Stand Away Game Reserved Seat will need to participate in a seat registration process in the period leading up to the game. Members with Level 2 reserved seats for other MCG away games will be given priority access.
• Please note: The Club will officially request and lobby the AFL to avoid fixturing an away game against both Richmond and Hawthorn in the same season moving forward.

Away games at the MCG against Carlton, Essendon or Melbourne:

• Collingwood will have access to all seats on Levels 1 and 4 in the Ponsford Stand.
• Collingwood will have a set allocation of Level 2 seats in the Ponsford Stand.
• Members will be allocated a set Reserved Seat for Away games against these opponents which features marquee games each season (i.e. Peter Mac Cup, ANZAC Day and King's Birthday Big Freeze games).

Away games at the MCG against any other AFL team not listed above:

• All seating on Levels 1, 2 and 4 will be available to Collingwood Members in the Ponsford Stand.

In a letter to members, president Jeeff Browne said he understands a section of the club's fans will "feel disappointed with the deal we have reached".

"The Club has worked tirelessly to ensure the new agreement would achieve the best possible result for the Club's incredibly loyal Members and, as a result, we are pleased to advise we have been able to retain the same number of seats for all nine home games at the MCG each season," Browne said.

"We have also retained access to the same total number of seats across the Ponsford Stand for all away games at the MCG with an increase in access to Level 1 and Level 4 seats and a corresponding reduction in access to Level 2 seats for away games, depending on the opposing home team.

"We want to be transparent with all Members – the reality of going through this process was that there would be change and we want to assure you we left no stone unturned to limit the changes for our Club and our valued Members.

"While every effort has been made to ensure our agreement with the MCC remains the best in the AFL competition, we understand there will be some Members who feel disappointed with the deal we have reached."

Collingwood are set to unveil a new tiered membership structure for the 2024 season, with impacted club members to be contacted by the club as early as this week.