Number-one ticket holder

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.

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
Club	Ticket holder	Ref.
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.

Club	Ticket 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
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles	Gladys Berejiklian (2018)
Melbourne Storm	Ian "Molly" Meldrum^[39]^[40] Julia Gillard^[41]^[42] Josh Frydenberg (2019)^[43]
Newcastle Knights
New Zealand Warriors	Peter "The Mad Butcher" Leitch^[44]
North Queensland Cowboys
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.

Club	Ticket holder	Reference
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.

Club	Ticket holder	Reference
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.

Club	Ticket holder	Reference
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.

Club	Ticket holder	Reference
Melbourne Vixens	Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Jane McDonald (2020)	^[62]
West Coast Fever	Nadia Mitsopoulos (2020)	^[63]

References

^ "Your AFL club's No.1 ticket holder". Retrieved 8 October 2017.
^ "Guy Sebastian announced as AFC No. 1 Ticketholder". afc.com.au. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
^ Lions, Brisbane (March 2023). "Brisbane Lions on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
^ "Stephen Kernahan receives new accolade". Carlton Football Club. Australian Football League. 3 April 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
^ "Number One Ticket Holder". Essendon Football Club. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
^ "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.
^ 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.
^ "Maddern named No. 1 ticket holder". geelongcats.com.au. 23 February 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
^ "SUNS announce #1 Ticket Holders". goldcoastfc.com.au. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
^ "Giants announce Melissa Doyle as number one ticket holder" (Press release). Greater Western Sydney Giants. 26 February 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
^ "Starc and Healy Announced as GIANTS' Next Number One Ticket Holders". GWS Giants. Australian Football League. 2 March 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
^ "Letter to members: No.1 ticket holders". Hawthorn Football Club. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
^ "Flower named No.1 ticket holder". melbournefc.com.au. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
^ Wortman, Jeff (2 April 2009). "Who's your No.1?". Herald Sun. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
^ "Teresa Palmer Power's No. 1". portadelaidefc.com.au. 29 January 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
^ Lane, Samantha (2 January 2008). "Riding the roller-coaster". The Age. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
^ "Santic Port No. 1". The Advertiser. 25 March 2006. p. 106.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ Tullberg, Julie (25 June 2010). "Actor Eric Bana named Saints No. 1 ticketholder". Herald Sun. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
^ "2025 Number 1 Ticket Holder: Jason Kimberley". Sydney Swans. Australian Football League. 17 February 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
^ "Johnstone named no.1 ticket holder". Western Bulldogs. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
^ Julia's Number One AFL.com.au 2 March 2011
^ 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.
^ Murphy, Mitchell (5 October 2007). "Bid to take over Broncos". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
^ Heming, Wayne (3 March 2008). "Broncos recruit powerful player in Rudd". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
^ Flynn, Michael (4 December 2009). "Who's Number One?". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
^ Ludlow, Mark; Cranston, Matthew (1 October 2015). "Queenslanders face off in battle for league's best". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
^ 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.
^ Masters, Roy (13 August 2014). "Brisbane Broncos cross the line in political divide". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
^ Hind, Richard (23 March 2010). "Webber the formula for success". The Age. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
^ Haddin is Canberra's No.1 DailyTelegraph 13 December 2008
^ "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.
^ Ricky Stuart and the Canberra Raiders remember Bob Hawke Canberra Times. 17 May 2019
^ 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)
^ "Being No. 1 means a lot more than just the ticket". 29 March 2008.
^ "Being No. 1 means a lot more than just the ticket". 29 March 2008.
^ "Scott Morrison the '#1 Ticket Holder'". sharks.com.au. 15 March 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
^ "Being No. 1 means a lot more than just the ticket". 29 March 2008.
^ "Gillard is Storm's No.1 ticket holder » League Unlimited".
^ "Being No. 1 means a lot more than just the ticket". 29 March 2008.
^ "Gillard is Storm's No.1 ticket holder » League Unlimited".
^ Frydenberg #1 ticket holder, 9 October 2019, retrieved 17 March 2021
^ "Warriors' success draws new fans". 25 September 2008.
^ "Dragons beat heat ... And Eels". 15 February 2010.
^ 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.
^ 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.
^ "Even the prime minister had to pull strings for a ticket to the Allianz Stadium opener". 2 September 2022.
^ "Being No. 1 means a lot more than just the ticket". 29 March 2008.
^ "We're for Sydney". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
^ "Being No. 1 means a lot more than just the ticket". 29 March 2008.
^ "Being No. 1 means a lot more than just the ticket". 29 March 2008.
^ "Brydens Lawyers commit to Wests Tigers". weststigers.com.au. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
^ "Julie Goodwin unveiled as Mariners Number 1 Ticket Holder | Central Coast Mariners". Ccmariners.com.au. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
^ "Jon Bon Jovi named Melbourne Heart's No.1 international ticket holder". Fox Sports. 24 July 2010.
^ "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.
^ "LUCY SAGE NAMED NUMBER ONE TICKET HOLDER". Perth Glory FC. 4 November 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
^ "It's A Wrap: The People's Game". Perth Glory FC. 27 January 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
^ "Coniglio confirmed as club's #1 Ticket Holder". Perth Glory FC. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
^ "Brand New Queensland Firebirds". Australian Netball. 22 November 2007. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
^ "Premier Perrottet becomes Sydney Kings No.1 ticket holder – Hoops Capital Academy". Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
^ "Melbourne Vixens name inaugural #1 ticket holders". Melbourne Vixens. March 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
^ "West Coast Fever announce No.1 ticket holder for 2020 season". West Coast Fever. Retrieved 25 May 2021.

[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.

[EFC-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.

[GWS-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.

[HS2009-14] 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.

[SKFC-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.

[WBG-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] rporateName=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.

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Number-one ticket holder

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