Gather Round 2026

[OniAu]

So much whinging over fixturing. Do clubs with pitiful supporter bases realise they are at smaller grounds for a reason

 

[Clark G]

So much whinging over fixturing. Do clubs with pitiful supporter bases realise they are at smaller grounds for a reason

I wouldn’t call Geelong a club with a small supporter base and they are not scheduled for AO.

 

[theprospector]

If anyone is selling a ticket to Gold Coast v Sydney I’d be interested

 

[Giant YoYo]

If anyone is selling a ticket to Gold Coast v Sydney I’d be interested

You may already be aware and are doing this but keep checking back on Ticketek if tickets become available as people return them via the app that aren't able to attend for any reason.

 

[Cmarsh]

Andrew Pridham wants to take gather round from Adelaide, combine gather round and opening round together and play the games accross Sydney and Queensland.

 

[The Terrible Thinker]

Welcome to Gather Round 2027 in Western Sydney.

 

[Partridge]

Welcome to Gather Round 2027 in Western Sydney.

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That's what Brian Taylor calls a sell out.

 

[Cmarsh]

 

[Rusty Brookes]

Of course, this opening round in NSW idea is stupid. Everyone seems to have forgotten that Gather Round coincides with the Victorian School Holidays so families actually have the time to go over on a Thursday and come back on a Monday.

 

[RonnieRaven]

I wouldn’t call Geelong a club with a small supporter base and they are not scheduled for AO.

They couldn’t even get 30k to their first home game of 2026.

 

[ibd77]

Still love the vibe outside the ground and city.

 

[illegaleagle]

Getting a bit boring being in Adelaide every year needs to move around occasionally. Doesn’t help every game being effected by rain and wind. I can’t watch most of these games without falling asleep

 

[PenfoldsFan]

Getting a bit boring being in Adelaide every year needs to move around occasionally. Doesn’t help every game being effected by rain and wind. I can’t watch most of these games without falling asleep

Whilst it is unfortunate to have had rain over the event, this is the first decent rain SA has had in 6 months so im sure it can be forgiven.

I took corporates to the Lions/Roos game today and yes there was a quick shower during the game but it didn't dampen the mood at all, and the general concensus was that the region looked spectacular.

When I dropped them back in the city it was pumping.

 

[RandB]

Maybe I've had a few too many glasses of red but hear me out...

Firstly, yes, the weather has been dissapointing this year but footy, ultimately, is a winter sport so we should be accustoned to this occasionally.

Now,

IMO gather round is slowly becoming something significant on the national calendar, not just the footy calendar.

Lets look at it.

Australia day has gone to shit. It is nothing but politics and protesting these days.

ANZAC day (rightly) is a national day of rememberance rather than celebration.

Xmas is all about family.

Easter is about getaway.

Etc...

Maybe I'm getting a bit carried away but it feels like gather round is slowly building a national festive vibe, based on our national game and it is bringing Australians together in a unique way where we can just enjoy ourselves.

It's something you need to experience first hand rather than just watching on TV interstate to truely appreciate though. Similar to the old footy carnivals back in the day but supercharged.

There is no way the NRL could replicate this on such a national scale and it's becoming a real feather in the cap for the AFL.

I hope it stays in Adelaide but I can clearly see why other cities now want a piece of this.

Most of all, I hope, one day, Melbourne can actually win a ****ing game!

 

[ApplecrossWC]

Crap stadiums, crap crowds, crap camera angles, crap weather, crap games

 

[PenfoldsFan]

What I like is seeing fans of every team in the crowd getting along and from a personal perspective, admiring players in neutral games without having to worry about them shredding your own team.

 

[PenfoldsFan]

Crap stadiums, crap crowds, crap camera angles, crap weather, crap games

Crap!

 

[ApplecrossWC]

Crap!

Correct!

 

[jwikked]

I really love the Gather Round, it's the best thing the AFL has come up with in a very long time. When it was announced it was locked into SA for a while I thought it was a major mistake, but nah. Every year it's a real event. South Australia/Adelaide really do a fantastic job with it - I can't see Sydney doing the same thing.

It helps that SA is a footy state, and is an easy drive from Victoria.

It should be left as it is now, at least until the SA and Adelaide stop putting effort into the event.

 

[Clark G]

Crap stadiums, crap crowds, crap camera angles, crap weather, crap games

On TV that is an issue every week, not just gather round.

 

[FlowersByIrene]

Melbourne Gather Round would go off.

 

[Go the Guts]

Getting a bit boring being in Adelaide every year needs to move around occasionally. Doesn’t help every game being effected by rain and wind. I can’t watch most of these games without falling asleep

Have you been over for it? If you haven’t, you should. You’ll see how wrong you are about it.
It’s far, far more than just football. The festival feel of this city over these 4 days is incredible, and you wouldn’t understand it unless you’ve been here for this weekend. Supporters watching on TV are not a consideration when making decisions about Gather Round.

 

[Go the Guts]

I really love the Gather Round, it's the best thing the AFL has come up with in a very long time. When it was announced it was locked into SA for a while I thought it was a major mistake, but nah. Every year it's a real event. South Australia/Adelaide really do a fantastic job with it - I can't see Sydney doing the same thing.

It helps that SA is a footy state, and is an easy drive from Victoria.

It should be left as it is now, at least until the SA and Adelaide stop putting effort into the event.

While Malinauskas is still our Premier, it will stay here. And that could be for at least another decade.

He’s an unbelievable SA premier. Would also be an unbelievable prime minister, but isn’t interested.

 

[illegaleagle]

Have you been over for it? If you haven’t, you should. You’ll see how wrong you are about it.
It’s far, far more than just football. The festival feel of this city over these 4 days is incredible, and you wouldn’t understand it unless you’ve been here for this weekend. Supporters watching on TV are not a consideration when making decisions about Gather Round.

All im saying it shouldn’t just be in Adelaide every year will eventually get stale. Maybe 1 in 3 years play somewhere else or split in 2 states so there will be less games at those smaller grounds. The football at Barossa and Norwood has been ordinary due to the wind and rain and can’t hold many fans.

 

[ApplecrossWC]

On TV that is an issue every week, not just gather round.

I mean the cameras are too low because there’s no stand to put them in. It can be really hard to what’s going on