Fixture Gather Round - SA announced as host for next 3 years 2024-2026

[Festerz]

16.04.23

GATHER ROUND SOUTH AUSTRALIA
AFL LOCKS IN SA FOR NEXT THREE SEASONS

The AFL in partnership with the SA Government is pleased to announce ‘Gather Round…. A Festival of Footy’ will be hosted in South Australia for the next three seasons.

The inaugural ‘Gather Round’ has been an overwhelming success, with all nine games sold out, more than 220,000 fans attending matches across the Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval and Mount Barker in the Adelaide Hills and tens of thousands of fans attending the footy festival on the banks of Torrens.

More than 60,000 fans purchased tickets from interstate.

Across 2024, 2025 and 2026, Gather Round …. A festival of footy will be hosted exclusively in South Australia, with Adelaide Oval to be the central venue, with the intent from both the AFL and the SA Government to take regional matches in 2024 to the Barossa / McClaren Vale region.

As part of the three-year term, both the AFL and SA Government have also committed to establishing a community football legacy fund, that will benefit local footy clubs in the state beyond the weekend of matches.

The AFL will lock in the fixture dates of the round in the coming weeks to give fans as much lead time as possible to book travel and accommodation.

Ticketing information will be release later in the year.

“South Australia really turned it on. Gather Round and all the activity across the state, the nine matches, the footy festival and the community football engagement has been some of the best days and events the AFL has ever delivered,” AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan said.

“It has been a success because everyone in football got behind the idea, clubs, players, corporate partners and most importantly our fans, to deliver an extraordinary few days,

“While the concept has real momentum, and we plan on taking it to other states around the country, we also feel in order for it to be as successful in the other states we need to continue to build out the concept in South Australia,

“The reality is we only had a few months to pull this together, and we hope by locking it in now we are giving everyone a longer runway to put together a bigger and even better event, and our fans certainty around booking travel and accommodation.

“The match at Mount Barker was a special afternoon on Saturday and an important part of recommitting to South Australia was to establish the community legacy fund, ensuring local footy clubs’ benefit from bringing the Gather Round to town.”

During the round the AFL has facilitated dozens of community club and school visits, held seminars for community club volunteers and delivered more than 10,000 footballs to regional community clubs.

Details on the Community legacy fund will be communicated at a later date.

“On behalf of the AFL I want to thank to Premier Malinauskas and his team in the SA Government who in partnership, delivered an unbelievable few days for footy and the state of South Australia.”

The AFL will also work with the AFLPA on the commitments to the players.

“The players have been strong partners in the Gather Round concept and have embraced wholeheartedly the round. We will now work with the AFLPA on the commitments to the players in the coming years.”

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said “The inaugural Gather Round has been a stunning success, in no small part thanks to the willingness of South Australians, and our interstate visitors, to show up.
“We know that this has delivered huge benefits for our state, and that is why I’m so pleased to see it return for the next three years.”

“With more time to plan, we know we can make Gather Round even bigger and better than what it has already become.”

“I want to thank Gillon McLachlan, the AFL, wider footballing community, public servants, councils and others who’ve all worked so hard to deliver such an amazing event in just a few months.”

“But most of all, I want to thank each and every person who showed up.”

“This agreement is because of you.”

-ends-

 

[IlGino]

The "double header" seperately ticketed game makes no sense to me. Wouldn't the AFL have been better charging double for the one ticket? If it is money they are after?? It make sense in terms of lifting the number of tickets sold but I agree - as a stand alone game Carlton v West Coast isn't necessarily appealing, whereas as part of a genuine double header - it makes more sense.

 

[The Floodbuster]

I think the AFL should extend the highly successful SA gather round until 2057.

 

[PAFC66]

Lol the AFL cashing in on a port hawks game is just so hypocritical

 

[Redline]

Lol the AFL cashing in on a port hawks game is just so hypocritical

It is but I think they realised last year that by Sunday interstates were flying out so with Fox wanting some Sunday night games early in the season a local side had to play.

It's a good matchup but I agree with your point.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Lol the AFL cashing in on a port hawks game is just so hypocritical

Only fair if we also get an MCG return game later in the season.

 

[Bjo187]

I actually like the Saturday split at Adelaide oval, but why not put a cracking game like lions v bulldogs on at Adelaide oval, a match neutrals would be really keen on.

Then send Carlton v west coast to Norwood.

That's the error in it for mine, the big stadium should be for games with top teams that all footy fans would be keen to watch live.

 

[PAFC66]

Only fair if we also get an MCG return game later in the season.

Of course. We are due to play you there. Even more so fair for us as we only get 1-2 MCG games a year

 

[mattpolo8]

Travelled over and went to 7 games in 2023. 8 games in 2024.

With no double header on Saturday, there's no way I'll be going to Carlton West coast. I would've if it was back to back. Even melbourne v essendon is hard finding the motivation to go to that. But I will and join in the chaos on the hill.

 

[PAFC66]

Travelled over and went to 7 games in 2023. 8 games in 2024.

With no double header on Saturday, there's no way I'll be going to Carlton West coast. I would've if it was back to back. Even melbourne v essendon is hard finding the motivation to go to that. But I will and join in the chaos on the hill.

Will be a "sellout" but there will be empty seats everywhere.
Port and Hawthorn should have been Saturday night.
Carlton and west Coast should be at Norwood

 

[PAFC66]

I actually like the Saturday split at Adelaide oval, but why not put a cracking game like lions v bulldogs on at Adelaide oval, a match neutrals would be really keen on.

Then send Carlton v west coast to Norwood.

That's the error in it for mine, the big stadium should be for games with top teams that all footy fans would be keen to watch live.

Melbourne vs Essendon should be Sunday night (both rubbish this year) and Port Vs Hawthorn should be Saturday night. That's the biggest joke of the round.

 

[Bjo187]

Melbourne vs Essendon should be Sunday night (both rubbish this year) and Port Vs Hawthorn should be Saturday night. That's the biggest joke of the round.

You've gotta realise though, the AFL will push big games away from Saturday coz they're not on free to air starting this year with the new tv deal.

 

[PAFC66]

You've gotta realise though, the AFL will push big games away from Saturday coz they're not on free to air starting this year with the new tv deal.

Free to air doesn't get a big Saturday night game?

 

[Bjo187]

Free to air doesn't get a big Saturday night game?

Nope, not until after round 15 can they do Saturdays into Victoria, which is the biggest tv market, I think after round 8 you get Saturdays in all other states.

 

[Whiskers]

Melbourne vs Essendon should be Sunday night (both rubbish this year) and Port Vs Hawthorn should be Saturday night. That's the biggest joke of the round.

You got to understand Sunday is now considered a prime time slot. Saturday is now for the worst games unfortunately, they won’t be on FTA.

 

[peetoo]

Of course. We are due to play you there. Even more so fair for us as we only get 1-2 MCG games a year

Happy to take gather round though

 

[CarterS]

How is Dogs vs Lions at Norwood and Dees vs Bombers, two teams that didn't make the 8 this season, is Saturday night at AO?

In the NRL Magic Round the main appeal is buying one ticket and seeing triple headers on Saturday and Sunday. AFL have gone completely against this. Feels like a money grabbing move to sell more tickets.

 

[Seattle Mariners]

How is Dogs vs Lions at Norwood and Dees vs Bombers, two teams that didn't make the 8 this season, is Saturday night at AO?

I agree it's stupid and this is coming from a Melbourne supporter that gets to benefit from playing at a proper venue, 3 Gather Rounds in a row.

Brisbane should be playing at AO whilst Melbourne should be banished to the bush.

 

[Nelso]

How is Dogs vs Lions at Norwood and Dees vs Bombers, two teams that didn't make the 8 this season, is Saturday night at AO?

In the NRL Magic Round the main appeal is buying one ticket and seeing triple headers on Saturday and Sunday. AFL have gone completely against this. Feels like a money grabbing move to sell more tickets.

Huge Essendon supporter base in Adelaide is your answer.

 

[Duckimus Prime]

The "double header" seperately ticketed game makes no sense to me. Wouldn't the AFL have been better charging double for the one ticket? If it is money they are after?? It make sense in terms of lifting the number of tickets sold but I agree - as a stand alone game Carlton v West Coast isn't necessarily appealing, whereas as part of a genuine double header - it makes more sense.

No they're not better of charging double for one ticket. Then people who just want to see one of the games has to pay up for both.

With the games being separately ticketed, you can get people to pay for both, and but can also sell seat 340 K to two different people, once for each game.

It'll negatively hit the AFL's attendance number, because they've been listing both games in the double header with the total attendance.

 

[mattpolo8]

Side Note, how does Melbourne get adelaide oval 3 years in a row? That's beyond me. Collingwood I get. Essendon I somewhat get. Due to support size. But dees?

Port
Adelaide
Pies
Essendon
Geelong
Melbourne
These are all the teams to get all their 3 gather round games at Adelaide oval. Pick the odd one out.

 

[PAFC66]

Happy to take gather round though

Because Victoria gets every other round ?

 

[PAFC66]

You got to understand Sunday is now considered a prime time slot. Saturday is now for the worst games unfortunately, they won’t be on FTA.

For TV sure. Outside of SA and WA nobody attends Sunday night games.

 

[hawkman]

Only fair if we also get an MCG return game later in the season.

Hopefully Ken is still around by then

 

[peetoo]

Hopefully Ken is still around by then

Yes the ‘Floivalry’ will be over when Kenny gets the knife. Most eagerly anticipated according to Gerard. Total crap

 

[voorhees]

Huge Essendon supporter base in Adelaide is your answer.

oh please..
there are more carlton and richmond fans in S.A then essendon.