The Western Bulldogs are leading the charge for the AFL to host a match in India, with CEO Ameet Bains at the forefront of this exciting initiative. This move comes as the league aims to explore one of the largest untouched sports markets in the world.
Recently, Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph shared on “Midweek Tackle” that the Bulldogs are eager to be the first AFL team to compete in India for premiership points. Bains is not only enthusiastic about the idea but sees it as a chance to build lasting connections within the community, rather than just a one-time commercial event.
“The Dogs are very enthusiastic; they want to be the first team to play in India for premiership points,” Ralph said. He added that Bains is keen to understand what playing a game in India would entail, emphasizing the large Indian community in Australia that could rally behind the team.
The push for this initiative aligns with the AFL’s broader goal of reaching out to multicultural communities. AFL Commission chairman Andrew Dillon recently urged club CEOs to engage more with diverse communities, highlighting India’s potential as a key market.
Dillon remarked, “We really need to tap into multicultural Australia and grow the game.” The Bulldogs are ready to rise to that challenge.
Moreover, the historical link between cricket and oval venues in India might offer a logistical advantage that previous attempts in places like New Zealand and China didn’t have. Midweek Tackle panelist Corbin Middlemas noted, “India has around a billion people. They also have oval-shaped venues for cricket, so it makes sense to explore this market.”
With India’s population close to 1.48 billion, it represents one of the most significant untapped sports markets in the world, providing a substantial opportunity for organizations like the AFL to grow and thrive.
