Will AFL ever be as popular as soccer outside of Australia in years to come or?

Question

are the AFL boses not doing enough to make it happen?

We have a fantastic game that suits all sorts of people, short and tall, why can't the AFL sell it properly overseas?

Answer 1

Andrew and the commission just don't care about marketing the game overseas.

The lack of television, radio and newspaper coverage in America (zero) tells you that the AFL doesn't want the game to flourish outside of Australia.

I am sorry if my bitching and whinging about lack of footy on television in the USA ever gets old or boring. I will continue to complain until I have an opportunity to watch 2 or 3 league games every week.

Answer 2

Xman has a point.  The name won't work (Though Rugby Union is named after a town).

Change its name and it could grow faster.  It would take time and each country has its prejudices.  Look at how long it took for AFL to break into Sydney.

Answer 3

I don't think it will ever be as big as soccer, however, with the exhibition games and NAB Cup games now being played in places like Dubai, England, Africa, USA, Ireland and the coverage that it gets around the World, it's obvious that it's gaining more support. I hope it stays a truly Australian Sport, it's the one sport that is uniquely Australian

Answer 4

I'm not interested in AFL going global either.  It's our game and has more than enough support here to maintain a healthy competition.

The reality of it is that chances are you're either an AFL fan or a soccer fan.  Me personally, an afl fan.  I see no point in soccer (wow 2 hours of ball playing to end in a nil all draw.....what the?)  Whilst the world wide appeal of soccer works for them, it's not for the AFL.

So personally I'm happy with the stance the AFL has taken in keeping this great game purely Australian.  Just one less sport the americans can grip onto and ruin.

Answer 5

To be honest,I don't want that to happen.

I remember how devastated I was went it went interstate,so I can imagine World Wide.

AFL is ours and I want to keep it that way.

Answer 6

the afl will only be popular in australia. cant see it any other way

Love your pic man! Go the gunners

Answer 7

I can't see how it will happen, it's not even popular in some parts of Australia. Sure, they may have a team in Sydney & brisbane & a couple in Perth, but I woudn't go to see it for one. I do watch on TV occassionally, but nothing more than that.

Answer 8

mate if ya mum plays soccer than the answer is that much easier.

Answer 9

good Q

the only way our great game can make it overseas is to change its name

the rest of the world play Golf not (Scottish golf)

Soccer/Football not (English football)

Rugby not (English Rugby)

Cricket well you get my point

alot of people in the world cant even show you Australia on a map

If we call it BEERBALL or somthing else it will catchon

Answer 10

nah i dont think so

Answer 11

Footy is popular in Perth!!

Nah it wont be going international very well. It'll take ages anyway. And I think itll take longer than what th AFL expects to gain popularity and for people to adapt. Socceris gponna be bigger internationally cos more countrys play i and they wont just dump the game they love for a new foreign one.

Answer 12

I doubt it, if it was thoroughly pushed all over the world, i suppose it could get close to rugby union or such...but never soccer

Answer 13

No I don't think so

I don't want it to either, look at our soccer talent packed up and overseas before we ever really get to see them. If our game went global the big bucks and best players wont be in Australia.

Franklin signs up with American league aaah perish the thought

Answer 14

no i doubt it and i hope not-let Europe and the rest of the world have their boring game called soccer.