The Sydney Swans have been crowned the biggest club supporter-wise in 2026 despite the recent police investigation and Pullman Hotel incident.
According to independent market research and public opinion polling company Roy Morgan, Sydney tops the AFL ladder in terms of supporter base with 1,131,000 fans.
That's 60,000 more than the next-best two-time reigning premier Brisbane who has 1,065,000 fans.
Sydney's support has dropped considerably in 2026, with the Swans down 12.8 per cent (166,000) on 2025's number.
Victorian giant Collingwood sits in third with 920,000 fans, while Adelaide makes up the top four with 756,000.
The fact that Sydney sits above the likes of Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton, Richmond and West Coast might come as a surprise to football fans.
But it is likely due to the large population in Sydney coupled with the two-team state, rivalling GWS (161,000), who are 17th in supporters. Brisbane faces a similar reality in Queensland, with Gold Coast recording the least number of fans (153,000) in the AFL.
Also, the fact the Victorian fan base is split among 10 clubs would diversify the pool.
Roy Morgan industry communications director Julian McCrann spoke on the Swans' impressive 21st consecutive season on top of the league's supporter rankings.
“The Sydney Swans, who this week host a Preliminary Final as the highest-placed qualifier on Friday night, are the most supported AFL club with 1,131,000 supporters, although this is down 166,000 on a year ago after the club missed the finals in 2025 for the first time in half a decade," McCrann said.
“However, the Swans quickly bounced back this year to finish second on the ladder with 18 wins and only five losses, just behind minor premier Fremantle on 19 wins.
"Despite a late-season scandal involving several star players, the Swans won their Qualifying Final against defending premier the Brisbane Lions – easily the second most supported club with 1,065,000 supporters, and up an impressive 111,000 on a year ago following back-to-back premierships in 2024 and 2025."
2026 AFL supporter base ladder
- Sydney - 1,131,000
- Brisbane - 1,065,000
- Collingwood - 920,000
- Adelaide - 756,000
- Essendon - 665,000
- West Coast - 639,000
- Carlton - 618,000
- Geelong - 526,000
- Hawthorn - 451,000
- Richmond - 446,000
- Fremantle - 379,000
- Melbourne - 348,000
- St Kilda - 344,000
- Western Bulldogs - 318,000
- Port Adelaide - 248,000
- North Melbourne - 190,000
- GWS - 161,000
- Gold Coast - 153,000
Looks like Collingwood may have dropped in memberships due to the “put Collingwood in your will” debacle. Collingwood have been greedy ever since they won the flag, I cancelled my membership after that year. They don’t listen to their fans, they would rather rip them off. Bring on the Tassie Devils, I say.