ESSENDON could push to play an extra home game at the MCG in future seasons after posting a record membership in 2017 and drawing more than one million fans to its home games.

The Bombers hold an agreement to host seven matches at Etihad Stadium and four at the MCG, and chief executive Xavier Campbell said an annual survey showed both venues were equally supported by members.

He said potential upgrades to Etihad Stadium would be considered in any push to add an extra MCG game to the club's fixture after the Docklands venue was bought out by the AFL.

"I feel like we need to get to a point where we seriously consider an additional game at the MCG," Campbell told the club's website.

"But there are still a lot of discussions with the AFL, the changing landscape at Etihad Stadium with the early buyout and the potential for significant Government funding to improve the experience that should be seriously taken into consideration.

"But an additional game at the MCG does feel like the right way to go."

Essendon had a total home attendance of 558,936 this season, second only to Richmond, which drew a total of 615,542 fans to its 10 MCG home games and one home game at Etihad Stadium.

The Bombers hosted Melbourne and North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium this season, drawing crowds of more than 40,000, averaging 39,603 across its seven games at the Docklands venue.

They hosted Hawthorn at the MCG in round one as well as the Anzac Day blockbuster, averaging crowds of 70,428 at the MCG this season with a low of 57,173 against Geelong in the round eight 'Country Game'.

The club's deal with Etihad Stadium has been in place for 17 years after they were the first club to sign with the venue.

They have played at least seven of their home games there since 2000, hosting eight games in 2002.