Fans wanting to get along to the Toyota AFL Premiership Season Round 17 game between Melbourne and the Adelaide Crows in Darwin on Saturday 15 July are encouraged to buy tickets before they sell out.
Ticket sales for the game are moving much faster than in previous years, with a blockbuster clash between two-finals-bound AFL teams the major drawcard.
Corporate hospitality events have been exhausted, and very few reserved seats remain in the Maurice Rioli Grandstand.
Fans wishing to snap up what's left of the grandstand or to purchase general admission tickets should head to www.NTIX.com.au sooner than later, as ticket sales at the gate cannot be guaranteed.
AFLNT CEO Michael Solomon is also encouraging fans to avoid the long queues and to head to TIO Stadium well in advance of the 7:10pm AFL game start time.
“It’s sure to be entertaining when NT Thunder takes on Aspley at 3pm. Anyone with a valid AFL entry ticket should head on down to watch Thunder battle it out with their archrivals as both teams look to cement a finals spot in this year’s NEAFL competition.
“The Bonson Gate will open at 2pm, the Ah Mat Gate and scoreboard gate at 2:30pm. It is inevitable that as we draw closer to 7pm, there will be queues as we try to check patrons into the stadium safely,” he said.
Traffic management plans on Abala Road will come into effect at 2pm on Saturday 15 July. Traffic will only be able to travel in a clockwise direction around the sporting complexes.
AFLNT will also be providing a free public bus service for anyone with a valid AFL game entry ticket.
Three bus services will run:
Darwin service – starts at the city inbound stop in Stuart Highway, Parap and goes to Daly Street, city and then direct to TIO Stadium in Marrara.
Times: departing at 4:50pm Parap/5pm Daly St, 5:20pm Parap/5:30pm Daly St, 5:50pm Parap/6:00pm Daly St and 6:20pm Parap/6:30pm Daly St.
Palmerston service – starts at the Palmerston interchange and goes directly to TIO Stadium in Marrara.
Times: all departing Palmerston interchange at 5:15pm, 6pm and 6:30pm.
Rural service – starts at the Humpty Doo Park & Ride then stops at the Coolalinga Park & Ride before going directly to TIO Stadium, Marrara.
Times: departing at 5:45pm Humpty Doo/6pm Coolalinga.
Buses will run along the same routes at the conclusion of the game.
Solomon said he was looking forward to a great event and showcasing the NT to a national TV audience.
“It’s exhilarating to think we are going to have a sellout and how great TIO Stadium will look here and for those watching at home when we have a capacity crowd.
“We look forward to a wonderful day celebrating Territory and national footy,” he said.