When discussing success in Australian sports, a comparison of the AFL and NRL often arises.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has previously stated that the AFL is "the most attended, played and watched sport in Australia."
This assertion has been echoed multiple times, recently resurfacing during a conversation on SEN featuring Andrew Peacock.
So, how do the two leagues measure up against each other?
"The most attended sport in Australia."
The AFL's argument is particularly compelling in terms of attendance.
Ranked around sixth globally for average attendance in major sports leagues, the AFL significantly outpaces the NRL, which ranks closer to nineteenth.
Moreover, the MCG stands out as the most attended stadium in the world, boasting around 56,580 spectators per event-over 10,000 more than the second-ranking Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
This iconic venue hosts a minimum of 45 AFL games annually, with four clubs designating it as their home ground.
In terms of crowd figures, the AFL clearly surpasses the NRL.
"The most played sport in Australia."
However, participation statistics reveal a more complex picture.
Previous data from the Australian Sports Commission indicated that rugby league boasts approximately one million more participants than Australian rules football when including junior and grassroots levels.