THE Carlton Football Club has today announced a net operating profit, after depreciation and amortisation, of $1,523,504 for 2023 (2022: $3,390,993). It is noted the 2023 year reflects a full year depreciation for the completed redevelopment at IKON Park.
The result has contributed to the Club declaring a statutory net profit position of $3,302,904 (2022: $17,020,366). Noting that 2022 included both capital and operational non-recurring grants received, as well as philanthropic contributions towards the IKON Park redevelopment.
The strong financial performance this year can be attributed largely to the Club’s member base and incredible crowd attendance, as Carlton broke yet another membership record in 2023 with a final total of 95,277 members, a seven per cent increase on last year (88,776).
The Blues attracted an average crowd attendance of 51,421 – ranked number two in the AFL for the home and away season, whilst also selling out 11 of its 26 games played in 2023 (including finals).
Carlton’s loyal members and supporters contributed to net revenues from membership, gate receipts and consumer operations of $23,055,550: a 15 per cent increase on the 2022 financial year ($20,069,003).
On top of the AFL team progressing to the preliminary final, the AFLW side experienced positive outcomes for their eighth season, re-shaping the program and operations as well as welcoming Mathew Buck as head coach. A debut season for the rejuvenated program produced an uplift on the field but more significantly has now established core foundations of genuine connection and high performance.
The Club enjoyed the first full year since completion of the facility redevelopment at IKON Park, achieving a club-wide vision of both its AFL and AFLW programs training alongside each other for the first time.
IKON Park also hosted AFLW home games for Carlton and neutral clubs as well as welcoming a large number of supporters for open trainings, the AFLW finals series; including Sunday’s Grand Final, as well as external stakeholders for numerous events.
Off the field the Club continued to thrive, with commercial partnership revenues growing by 23 per cent in 2023, with a key contribution to this result being the partnership extension with Hyundai for a further five years. The extension took the co-major partnership between the two organisations to 26 years, solidifying itself as one of the longest running partnerships in Australian sport.
Carlton IN Business had another successful year with 163 members attending a number of key networking and business events across the year. Meanwhile, the Carlton College of Sport welcomed 112 La Trobe University students to IKON Park across the placement and football development programs during 2023.
In May, the Club launched its new philanthropic program, The First 18. The program was launched in conjunction with the Carlton Football Club Foundation and supports Carlton’s commitment to being a sustainable leader in the sporting landscape well into the future.
The Club’s flagship community program continues to raise awareness for the prevention of violence against women through Carlton Respects, with the digital learning platform, Road to Respect, completing its second year. The Adam Saad Pathways also held its girls and boy’s academies with strong participation across both programs.
Earlier in the year, Carlton proudly launched its third Reconciliation Action Plan for 2023 – 2025, and with 45 per cent of the plan already completed, there is considerable progress leading into the next year of commitments.
Carlton CEO Brian Cook said this year’s financial result was evidence of the staunch dedication of a truly united football club.
“Like improved on-field performance, financial stability cannot be achieved without a shared sense of purpose and a genuine commitment to stick to our strategic direction as one club – we are grateful to have that at Carlton,” Cook said.
“Carlton people have a lot to be proud of this year, our players, coaches, and staff have worked incredibly hard in 2023 and I would like to thank them for living the values that have come to underpin what it means to be United by Navy Blue.
“That hard work comes from being motivated by who we represent; 95,277 Carlton members and counting, we want you to be proud of your football club and your support has gone a significant way to the financial performance of your club this year.
"As a result, this outcome has allowed us to further invest in our AFL and AFLW football programs, continuing to maintain a high-performance facility and culture. It also lays a strong foundation for the Club to launch into next year.”
