AFL Gather Round - now announced for Adelaide through 2026.

kranger · Apr 16, 2023

Gather around in Adelaide for 3 more years…

Gather Round to stay in South Australia for next three seasons

The AFL has announced that South Australia will host Gather Round again in 2024, 2025 and 2026

www.afl.com.au

Kwality · Apr 16, 2023

The_Wookie said:
again, nothing to do with this.

We will see after todays double header.

Coolangatta · Apr 16, 2023

kranger said:
Gather around in Adelaide for 3 more years…

Gather Round to stay in South Australia for next three seasons

The AFL has announced that South Australia will host Gather Round again in 2024, 2025 and 2026

www.afl.com.au

I honestly thought they were gonna go for NSW, QLD and WA the next three years and do one in Tassie in the debut year of the Tassie side. Guess I was wrong.

kranger · Apr 18, 2023

If Perth were to host Gather Round in 2027 I would use Perth Stadium (5 games) 61,000 capacity and the WACA Ground (4 games) 15,000 capacity to host the AFL games.

Use Gloucester Park as the hub for the Festival of Footy, as it is closer to the hotels in East Perth than what Burswood Peninsula is.

Here’s just how close the three venues are to each other. The WACA is less than a 20min walk from Perth Stadium, with Gloucester Park between them.

Make each game a stand alone game and get rid of single tickets that let you into a double header. This makes the fixturing very important to maximise crowds.

Also not having any game times overlap, and the two fields so close allows people to go to every game. Something that doesn’t seem possible anywhere else except in Sydney if you used Homebush and Showgrounds…

For the below times add on 90mins for SA/NT, and 2hrs for the East Coast

Thursday
6:10pm - Perth Stadium - Eagles vs Roos

Friday
6:10pm - Perth Stadium - Swans vs Tigers

Saturday
12:10pm - WACA Ground - Port vs Demons
3:10pm - Perth Stadium - Magpies vs Hawks
6:10pm - WACA Ground - GWS vs Lions

Sunday
12:10pm - WACA Ground - Suns vs Bulldogs
3:10pm - Perth Stadium - Blues vs Cats
6:10pm - WACA Ground - Crows vs Saints

Monday
6:10pm - Perth Stadium - Freo vs Bombers

There is a Perth Stadium game in between the WACA games to force the crowd out, clean up, let people walk to Perth Stadium and watch the game there if they have tickets, then let people back into the WACA if they have another ticket.

You also have Eagles and Freo opening and closing the weekend to ensure larger crowds on the weekdays when interstaters may not have arrived yet or already left.

The remaining 3 Perth Stadium games involve the biggest drawing clubs, to increase the chances of filling the stadium, but select opponents so you are not taking away a Vic Big 4 clash from the MCG.

Johnny Bananas · Apr 18, 2023

kranger said:
If Perth were to host Gather Round in 2027 I would use Perth Stadium (5 games) 61,000 capacity and the WACA Ground (4 games) 15,000 capacity to host the AFL games.

Use Gloucester Park as the hub for the Festival of Footy, as it is closer to the hotels in East Perth than what Burswood Peninsula is.

It's a good plan. I do wonder if Mandurah or Joondalup could get a game or two, given their grounds are not far from train stations. Putting a few extra train services on could facilitate that.

RedV3x · Apr 18, 2023

kranger said:
If Perth were to host Gather Round in 2027 I would use Perth Stadium (5 games) 61,000 capacity and the WACA Ground (4 games) 15,000 capacity to host the AFL games.

Hopefully the WACA development will have been completed by then.

kranger said:
Use Gloucester Park as the hub for the Festival of Footy,

How ?

kranger said:
Also not having any game times overlap, and the two fields so close allows people to go to every game.

So does double headers.
You have to look at the purpose of these events and S.A. is looking to upgrade it's SANFL facilities.
The WAFL would be looking at upgrading Fremantle Oval or even Leederville - both on train lines.

RedV3x · Apr 18, 2023

Johnny Bananas said:
It's a good plan. I do wonder if Mandurah or Joondalup could get a game or two, given their grounds are not far from train stations. Putting a few extra train services on could facilitate that.

There are no facilities at Joondalup or Mandurah.

Bjo187 · Apr 18, 2023

I thought the waca development was being completed in 2024, also the home ground of West Perth in Joondalup is more than adequate, with a few minor touch ups.

kranger · Apr 18, 2023

RedV3x said:
Hopefully the WACA development will have been completed by then.

If it finished, Gather around could be a great opportunity to expose the redevelopment to the country.

RedV3x said:
How ?

The big grass patch in the middle of the rots track would be great for activities.

The existing catering facilities at the track would be good to serve visitors, but you could get in extra food trucks.

How much space was used on the banks of the Torrens River in Adelaide for hosting the event?

If you need more just take up more space on the Burswood side of the Swan River.

RedV3x said:
So does double headers.

Except it doesn’t allow the sale of tickets to each game individually. To move away from people getting tickets for the double header, but only intending to attend one of the two games, leaving what every decries as empty stands.

RedV3x said:
You have to look at the purpose of these events and S.A. is looking to upgrade it's SANFL facilities.
The WAFL would be looking at upgrading Fremantle Oval or even Leederville - both on train lines.

It would be cool to have one or two games at other WAFL grounds, assist in getting them upgraded. It would be another option for hosting Gather around in Perth.

Pushing the games further apart loses that close proximity / single location feel that Perth Stadium / WACA Ground can offer. Not that losing that closeness is that big of a deal, just makes it harder to allow someone to get to all games in time.

RedV3x · Apr 18, 2023

kranger said:
If it finished, Gather around could be a great opportunity to expose the redevelopment to the country.

LOL.

kranger said:
If you need more just take up more space on the Burswood side of the Swan River.

There's the practice ground and space to burn around the stadium without involving the trots.

kranger said:
To move away from people getting tickets for the double header

Which was part of the attraction in the first palce.

kranger said:
Not that losing that closeness is that big of a deal, just makes it harder to allow someone to get to all games in time.

Nobody is going to all games. They might go to two games that could conceivably clash.

RedV3x · Apr 18, 2023

Bjo187 said:
The home ground of West Perth in Joondalup is more than adequate,

For the WAAFL maybe. Really inadequate for the WAFL.

RedV3x · Apr 19, 2023

So the Gather Round has been given to Adelaide for the next three years.
I would have thought another two years would have been the go.
I see 2024 as being bigger, 2025 as plateau and 2026 as decidedly down.
On the football side of things - do the Adelaide AFL teams get 8 extra home games ?

Adelaide has shown that people will travel - so that is good news for Sydney.
After three more years of the Gather Round in Adelaide, fans would be eager for a change and Sydney is the travel hub of Australia.
Three years allows Sydney to get their act together w.r.t. venues.
ATM on the SCG is clearly suitable and suitable for large and smaller games.
There is a question mark over Homebush (for AFL) and it's rather uninspiring with anything less of a big crowd.
Of course there is the showgrounds right next door so some clever fixturing is available - big game followed by a small game.
To make it successful, North Sydney Oval would have to be increased in size - quite easy physically but hard to get the OK.
Blacktown is too small and a fair walk from a train stop.
I don't think the Mt Barker style setup would work for Sydney - just too far away.

kranger · Apr 19, 2023

RedV3x said:
So the Gather Round has been given to Adelaide for the next three years.
I would have thought another two years would have been the go.
I see 2024 as being bigger, 2025 as plateau and 2026 as decidedly down.
On the football side of things - do the Adelaide AFL teams get 8 extra home games ?

Adelaide has shown that people will travel - so that is good news for Sydney.
After three more years of the Gather Round in Adelaide, fans would be eager for a change and Sydney is the travel hub of Australia.
Three years allows Sydney to get their act together w.r.t. venues.
ATM on the SCG is clearly suitable and suitable for large and smaller games.
There is a question mark over Homebush (for AFL) and it's rather uninspiring with anything less of a big crowd.
Of course there is the showgrounds right next door so some clever fixturing is available - big game followed by a small game.
To make it successful, North Sydney Oval would have to be increased in size - quite easy physically but hard to get the OK.
Blacktown is too small and a fair walk from a train stop.
I don't think the Mt Barker style setup would work for Sydney - just too far away.

What about Henson Park?

https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/1748/Henson%20Park%20Presentation%2026%20July%202022%20-%20Web%20_.pdf.aspx

Henson Park proposed redevelopment FAQs - Inner West Council

www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au

RedV3x · Apr 19, 2023

kranger said:
What about Henson Park?

What about Henson Park?

Bjo187 · Apr 19, 2023

kranger said:
What about Henson Park?

https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/1748/Henson%20Park%20Presentation%2026%20July%202022%20-%20Web%20_.pdf.aspx

Henson Park proposed redevelopment FAQs - Inner West Council

www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au

Yep perfect for it.

RedV3x · Apr 19, 2023

Bjo187 said:
Yep perfect for it.

It being the SFL or AFLW but not AFL.
It's not even conveniently located.

robbieando · Apr 20, 2023

An issue to take into account with Sydney hosting Gather Round is the unavailability most years of Giants Stadium due to the Easter Show unless they got the ground back due to Easter falling early so it would be Accor Stadium and the SCG as the venues.

The_Wookie · Apr 20, 2023

Professor Knowall · Apr 20, 2023

robbieando said:
An issue to take into account with Sydney hosting Gather Round is the unavailability most years of Giants Stadium due to the Easter Show unless they got the ground back due to Easter falling early so it would be Accor Stadium and the SCG as the venues.

I read or heard somewhere last week (but can’t recall from where it was) that if the Gather around went to Sydney it would be held during the second lot of school holidays in June/July sometime, whenever they are, to avoid that problem.

BTW - the thread titles needs changing to Gather Round, not Magic.

The_Wookie · Apr 20, 2023

Supporters Gather Round the City of Churches for a $223 million weekend - NAB News

The AFL’s inaugural Gather Round has been a smashing success for the city of Adelaide with $223 million spent across accommodation, restaurants, bars and pubs, and retail, according to NAB transaction data.

news.nab.com.au

NAB - NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LTD.

20/04/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 20/04/2023 06:02

Supporters Gather Round The City Of Churches For A $223 Million Weekend

The AFL's inaugural Gather Round has been a smashing success for the city of Adelaide with $223 million spent across accommodation, restaurants, bars and pubs, and retail, according to NAB transaction data*.

The event saw a 21% trading boost when compared to the same weekend the year prior, whilst bars in Adelaide Oval precinct alone saw a massive increase in money through the tills - up 175% on last year.

NAB Executive Business Metro, Julie Rynski, said it was great to see fans flock from across the country to the City of Churches and support local businesses.
"There are so many strong and innovative businesses in Adelaide and the AFL's new Gather Round provides the perfect opportunity for others from around the nation to experience the city's beauty, cultural and culinary scene," Ms Rynski said.

"It was wonderful to see Adelaide in the national spotlight, as both an events city and an amazing place to live, work and play. Gather Round will be at home here for the next three years, which will be great for small businesses, many who rely on domestic and international tourists.

"While some people are being more thoughtful around where and how they spend their money, it was good to see a buzz around cafes, restaurants, hotels and retail stores."

Overall, spend on accommodation around metro Adelaide was up 50%, retail saw an increase of 30% and bars and pubs were up 13% when compared to the same weekend in 2022.

Simon Kardachi, owner of the Kardachi Group who operates popular restaurants such as Shobosho, Oggi and Bread & Bone, said his establishments were abuzz with excitement, which saw a solid increase in trade over the weekend.

"It was exciting to have lots of interstate visitors in town - we really felt a lift in energy," Mr Kardachi said.

"By putting the spotlight on Adelaide in front of a national market, events such as Gather Round provide incremental bottom-line immediate impacts for the hospitality industry."

Notes to editors: 
Spend estimates taken from NAB merchant terminal data from 13 April 2023 to 16 April 2023 and compared to the same weekend in 2022 in Adelaide.

The_Wookie · Apr 20, 2023

Professor Knowall said:
BTW - the thread titles needs changing to Gather Round, not Magic.

Done.

OP now includes a summary of the 2023 event as information comes to hand

Walshawk · Apr 20, 2023

Professor Knowall said:
I read or heard somewhere last week (but can’t recall from where it was) that if the Gather around went to Sydney it would be held during the second lot of school holidays in June/July sometime, whenever they are, to avoid that problem.

BTW - the thread titles needs changing to Gather Round, not Magic.

Unlike the southern states, the NSW school holidays don’t always include Easter, but the show is (almost) always running the middle week of Vic school hols. So that rules out Showgrounds, and make ACCOR difficult. ACCOR would only work with the Swans playing as big club.

Blacktown is an option plus the soon to be redeveloped Showring Oval next to the SCG. Henson Park with the world’s biggest hill would be great on a sunny afternoon.

The_Wookie · Apr 20, 2023

RECORD-BREAKING FOOTY WEEKEND | VOUCHERS BOOST BOOKINGS | MAJOR TRADE EVENT SECURED

satc_corporate-comms_industry-update_banner_660x370_2402202313_ao.jpg

There’s no doubt about it, the nation’s first AFL Gather Round over the weekend was a roaring success, culminating in AFL's confirmation that the footy festival will be hosted in South Australia for the next three seasons.

This is terrific news for our industry, as the inaugural event saw more than 220,000 fans attending nine matches over the four days, with over 60,000 of those from interstate.

The influx of fans helped boost flights into Adelaide Airport and saw hotel bookings hit a record high.

In fact, latest hotel forward booking data showed there were more hotel rooms booked over last Friday and Saturday than any other weekend before. With an average of 9,640 room nights occupied over the two days it surpassed the previous record-holding March 2023 long weekend.

More than 115,000 passengers were expected to pass through Adelaide Airport from last Thursday through to Sunday, making it the busiest four days for our city’s airport since before the pandemic.

The hive of activity was coupled with the start of the school holidays, which will no doubt see more people out and about across the regions over the coming fortnight.

The school holiday period presents a great opportunity for River Revival Voucher holders to redeem their voucher and experience a river get-away. As the booking deadline draws closer, we are upping our targeted marketing to help drive as many redemptions as possible.

A reminder that round one River Revival Vouchers must be booked by 28 April for travel through until 29 June. Vouchers are transferable, so we’ll also be encouraging voucher holders who aren’t able to use them to give them to a family member or friend who can.

In more good news for our state, it was confirmed last week that Adelaide will play host to one of the nation’s flagship tourism trade events this October. The Australian Tourism Export Council’s (ATEC) annual Meeting Place trade event will bring up to 500 tourism industry leaders to SA for three days of business-to-business meetings, networking events, and a conference program.

Hosting ATEC Meeting Place 2023 provides an opportunity to showcase our state directly to those who will help sell it around the world, helping drive the recovery of our state’s international visitor spend.

Our state's blockbuster events are not slowing down, with the nation's first LIV Golf tournament swinging into Adelaide this week, plus the Adelaide Equestrian Festival will draw record crowds in our city's parklands from Thursday. Both elite sporting events will see thousands flock to our city, while setting the world's eyes on South Australia.

Emma Terry
Chief Executive Officer

The_Wookie · Apr 20, 2023

To summarise - the Premier of South Australia, the states Tourism body, the states peak business body, Adelaide City Councils Economic Development Agency, Adelaide Airport, the AFL, the SANFL and one of the nations largest banks all say this was a success, providing data to make their case.

Doubters of its success have what exactly? and on what basis?