Six more AFL players have elevated themselves into the millionaires’ row after the league announced its 2024 financial results and reported a surplus of $45.4m.

Twenty-five players earned $1m or more last season, an increase on the 19 reported for the previous year, in a trend that highlights the impact of the long-term growth in the size of the salary cap but also the booming market for top-end talent.

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AFL Commission chair Richard Goyder cited record attendance and membership and the launch of the Tasmania Devils as major achievements during 2024. “The game is strong across Australia thanks to every fan and every person who chooses to be involved in our sport, and there is a place for everyone in our game,” he said.

Players received $296.3m last year, up from $280.9m in 2023. The amount of money each club can spend on players – known as the total player playments limit or salary cap – reached $15.8m per club, an increase of $800,000 on the previous year.

The AFL only releases the number of players in each band and not the identity of players who are in each band.

Established stars such Melbourne’s Christian Petracca, Richmond’s Tom Lynch, Carlton’s Patrick Cripps and Western Bulldogs’ Marcus Bontempelli are among the game’s highest earners, but the league is quickly moving towards a dynamic where clubs will regularly field two or even three players on $1m and above. In 2021, just five players were above the $1m threshold.

The new $4.5bn broadcast deal comes into effect this year, handing the league a bump in revenues which will flow through to player payments, further fuelling this trend. The collective bargaining agreement between the AFL and players runs until 2027.

AFL chief financial officer Matthew Chun said the results in recent years have helped return cash to the business after the pandemic, and there is now $186.7m held in reserves.

“While a new broadcast deal comes in this year, it is important that we continue to drive cost discipline to ensure that we are able to continue to invest in all levels while ensuring the game remains affordable and accessible for everyone,” he said.

The price of general admission tickets at the AFL-owned Marvel Stadium and the MCG were frozen in 2025 for the seventh season in a row.

Payments to AFL executives declined from $13.6m in 2023 to $10.8m in 2024.