Gather Round 2026 - April 9-12

[The_Wookie]

04.09.2025 2026 Gather Round locked in for 9 – 12 April The AFL is pleased to announce that the 2026 ‘Gather Round ... A Festival of Footy’ will take place from Thursday, 9 April through to Sunday, 12 April, with the fixture to be announced later this year. The 2026 event will coincide with the middle weekend of school holidays in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia and the first weekend of school holidays in South Australia and New South Wales. It will also be the round of matches after Easter. The 2025 Gather Round – which marked the third year of the event – was the biggest yet, with a record crowd and economic growth generated, and saw AFL premiership points played for in the Barossa Valley for the first time. A total of 269,506 fans attended the nine matches played across Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval and Barossa Park, with 36 per cent of attendees being interstate visitors. The AFL engaged consultancy IER to generate an economic impact report from the 2025 Gather Round, with the Total Economic Contribution for this year’s event being $113.9 million – up 24% on the total contribution of the 2024 event ($91.6M) and 36% on the total contribution of the inaugural event in 2023 ($83.5M). More visitors are set to experience the Barossa Valley region in 2026, following the success of the first-ever AFL premiership matches played at Barossa Park during this year’s event, which generated $4.87 million in direct expenditure for the region. The research also indicated this year’s event created 241,613 visitor nights in South Australia – 26% more than last year – and saw interstate visitors spending on average 4.7 nights in the state. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said he was excited to return to South Australia for Gather Round next April. “This year’s Gather Round was another incredible success with almost 270,000 fans attending across the four days of matches – our highest Gather Round attendance yet – and we are excited to do it all again in 2026,” Dillon said. “The timing of the event, in line with school holidays, has worked well the past three years and announcing the dates for next year’s Gather Round now will allow fans to organise their travel and accommodation early, especially considering roughly a third of attendees each year have come from interstate. “Planning for 2026 Gather Round and how we can make it even bigger and better is already underway, and we look forward to being able to share more details, including the fixture, later in the year.” South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said: “Gather Round continues to be a stunning economic success for our state, generating a record $113.9 million in economic activity and bringing tens of thousands of visitors to our state to stay and experience all we have to offer. “This growth trajectory is testament to the continued investment and innovation we have worked hard to deliver in partnership with the AFL. “But it’s also due to the support of footy fans, South Australians and visitors who have embraced Gather Round unlike anything else. “We’re thrilled to welcome Gather Round the weekend after Easter in 2026. “The timing coincides with school holidays in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, and we’ll be encouraging visitors to stay as long as possible.” As the Official Airline Partner of the AFL & Gather Round, Virgin Australia is focused on offering value and choice for footy fans travelling to the event. To book your flight to 2026 Gather Round, visit www.virginaustralia.com Official Accommodation Partner ALL Accor offers fans access to a variety of options to suit all tastes and budgets with over 10 hotels and apartments across Adelaide. Travelling fans can choose from brands like Sofitel, Pullman, Peppers, Ibis and more. Visit ALL.com to book, plus unlock a special member rate by joining Accor’s loyalty program, ALL, for free.

 

[The_Wookie]

2025 Gather Round delivers record $113.9 million result​

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Release date: 04/09/25

The 2025 AFL Gather Round has delivered a record economic result for South Australia providing a Total Economic Contribution of $113.9 million.​

The 2025 result -- confirmed in an independent evaluation by IER -- is 24 per cent higher than the contribution of the 2024 event ($91.6 million) and 36 per cent higher than the inaugural edition of Gather Round in 2023.

Pleasingly, the first ever AFL matches at the new Barossa Park facility helped generate $4.87 million in direct expenditure for the internationally renowned wine region.

The independent evaluation showed 241,613 visitor nights in South Australia during Gather Round, 26 per cent higher than last year (191,696) and 59 per cent per cent higher than 2023 (151,487).

More than 54,000 visitors came to SA from out of state, up 18 per cent on 2024, with the report recording notable growth in visitors from Western Australia and New South Wales.

Visitors spent an average 4.7 nights in SA.

The 2025 Gather Round saw a total attendance of 269,506 at nine matches played across Adelaide Oval, Norwood and Barossa Park, with 36 per cent of attendees coming from interstate.

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Quotes​

Attributable to Peter Malinauskas​

Gather Round continues to be a stunning economic success for our state, generating a record $113.9 million in economic activity and bringing tens of thousands of visitors to our state to stay and experience all we have to offer.

This growth trajectory is testament to the continued investment and innovation we have worked hard to deliver in partnership with the AFL.
But it’s also due to the support of footy fans, South Australians and visitors who have embraced Gather Round unlike anything else.

Pleasingly, the investment we’ve made in Barossa Park is delivering strong dividends for the Barossa community already.

Attributable to AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon​

Gather Round has proven to be more than just a festival of footy. It has reinforced its position as one of the standout events on the Australian sporting calendar, delivering strong economic outcomes for South Australia, creating opportunities for local businesses, and showcasing the best of what the State has to offer to footy fans across the country.

Gather Round is truly the best of our game, and we are looking forward to delivery fans a bigger and better event in 2026.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Cool. Just hope the AFL don't botch the fixture this time.

Was an an unappealing mess this year. I felt there was very little for neutral fans to be excited about.

 

[Billy ray]

hopefully as was originally promised, this is an extra round meaning the match-ups are NOT the only time the two clubs meet in the season

 

[The_Wookie]

12.11.2025

Gather Round…A Festival of Footy fixture released

The AFL, in partnership with the South Australian Government, is pleased to confirm the fixture for Gather Round…A Festival of Footy, which returns in Round 5 of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

The Round will feature matches across Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval and a return to Barossa Park – again giving interstate visitors an opportunity to experience the best of Barossa Valley food and wine.

Running from 9-12 April, during the school holidays, the Adelaide Crows will open the round on Thursday night playing Carlton at the Adelaide Oval, followed by Collingwood taking on Fremantle on Friday night.

The Adelaide Oval will host two matches on Saturday, with Essendon playing Melbourne in the early afternoon before the stadium resets for the evening, where Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs will match up, with both games to be ticketed separately.

The action returns to the picturesque Barossa Park on Saturday afternoon where North Melbourne will line up against the Brisbane Lions before a twilight fixture at Norwood Oval between the Sydney Swans and the Gold Coast SUNS.

On Sunday, Norwood Oval will host the Geelong Cats and West Coast Eagles, ahead of the GWS GIANTS and Richmond playing at Barossa Park before the final Gather Round fixture is played at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday evening between Port Adelaide and St Kilda.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said Gather Round and its festivities around the state delivers like no other.

“We are thrilled to be returning to South Australia for our third Gather Round, it truly is the best of our game and it gets bigger and better each year,” said Mr Dillon.

“Gather Round has become more than a weekend of footy, it’s a celebration of community, connection, and everything we love about the game. Fans don’t want to miss a moment of it.

“Barossa Park delivered a magnificent experience last year, showcasing the best of what the region has to offer and this time around it is set to deliver another two big games.

“We know visitors travel from all over Australia to experience the buzz of Gather Round with fans not wanting to miss out and everyone wanting to be a part of it.”

Quotes attributable to South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas:

“The Gather Round phenomenon continues to grow and deliver for our State.

“This fixture, the start of school holidays in South Australia and NSW, and middle of school holidays in other states, presents the perfect platform for visitors and locals alike to experience the best SA has to offer.

“We encourage everyone to come, and experience Gather Round, be it in the city, or the stunning Barossa Valley.

“Gather Round this year delivered almost $114m in economic benefits, but the event is also driving new investment in our state, including at major hotels like the Mayfair.”

The Women’s and Children's Hospital Foundation is confirmed as the Official Charity Partner of Gather Round again in 2026.

Tickets go on sale for members on Wednesday, 3 December with general public on sale on Thursday, 4 December.

As the Official Airline Partner of the AFL and Gather Round, Virgin Australia is focused on offering value and choice for footy fans travelling to the event. 
 
To book your flight to 2026 Gather Round, visit www.virginaustralia.com 

Official Accommodation Partner ALL Accor offers fans access to a variety of options to suit all tastes and budgets with more than 10 hotels and apartments across Adelaide. Travelling fans can choose from brands like Sofitel, Pullman, Peppers, Ibis and more. Visit ALL.com to book, plus unlock a special member rate by joining Accor’s loyalty program, ALL, for free.