AFL takes $43 million hit in COVID-plagued 2021 season as pandemic impacts a second year

The AFL is feeling the financial strain of keeping the competition running during the COVID-19 pandemic, losing $43 million last year.

For the second-straight year, the AFL had to cope with hurdles relating to the pandemic, including again holding the finals series outside of Victoria.

The AFL spent almost $30 million on COVID-19 related costs in 2021, taking it to a combined $76 million during the past two seasons.

These expenses included testing for COVID-19, travel and accommodation requirements and the creation of hubs across the country.

The league's overall revenue increased by more than $63 million last year, but the operating loss increased from $22.7 million in 2020.

All 18 clubs have been informed of the situation ahead of next month's annual meeting for the league.

All 23 rounds were played last season, compared to a 17-round competition in 2020 with shortened matches.

«If I could summarise our 2021 year in one word, that word would be 'resilience',» AFL chair Richard Goyder said.

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«As we navigated through the on-going effects of the pandemic, it continued to test the resolve and, at times our patience, as we collectively worked through [it] week to week.

»The game's collective unity and determination enabled us to withstand what some would say was an even bigger test than the year prior."

AFL chief financial officer Travis Auld called the decisions made in 2020 crucial to the competition surviving the pandemic.

«As the 2021 year played out, our operating expenditure continued to increase due to the costs of accommodating our clubs throughout the season, some who were on the road for