NRL fans heading to the pub to watch the grand final start drinking much earlier than their AFL counterparts, stay longer, and spend more.
Mobile payments app Clipp, through which users can pay for food and drinks at bars, pubs and restaurants, has put together data from last year's grand final days to reveal the habits of each code's fans.
"We saw that NRL fans are actually at the pub two-and-a-half hours earlier than AFL fans because we can see when people open a tab," Clipp co-founder Greg Taylor said.
"NRL fans definitely stay longer."
Not surprisingly, beer reigns supreme as footy fans' thirst slaker, but NRL supporters drink a lot more spirits and cider than AFL watchers.
Pub goers in NSW and Queensland start drinking spirits early in their party day, while wine is the early choice in Victoria.
NRL fans spent an average of $143 each, much more than the $96 shelled out by AFL fans, with spending split equally between alcohol and food.
The top beer among AFL watchers is Carlton Draught, while NRL fans favour XXXX, and both sets of fans are also partial to a VB.
Smirnoff Vodka and Johnny Walker whisky are the top choices for spirits no matter what code you like, though Bundaberg Rum is also a favourite among NRL fans, compared to AFL's preference for gin.
While the big brands still dominate, Mr Taylor said fans of both codes are more likely to be sipping a craft beer during this weekend's big matches.
"The emergence of craft beer has been quite significant, particularly over the last year," Mr Taylor said.
He said Stone & Wood was the craft beer of choice on grand final day in 2014, and in 2015 that was likely to be Young Henry's, a brewery based in Sydney's inner west.
In food, AFL supporters preferred pizza, burgers and wedges in 2014, while NRL followers tucked into burgers, schnitzel and chips.
This weekend, punters across Australia are most likely be munching on sliders, Mr Taylor said.
