AFL Gather Round will kick off with Crows and Power matches on Thursday and Friday night and see the return of the Food and Wine Festival in Norwood, as part of a blockbuster four-day festival of footy in South Australia.
The AFL has released the fixture for next year’s Gather Round, which will be Round 4 of the 2024 AFL Season, from April 4-7.
Highlights include two matches at Mount Barker, showcasing the best of Adelaide Hills’ food and wine, a Saturday double-header at Adelaide Oval, and two matches at Norwood Oval, including the return of the Food and Wine Festival on The Parade on the Sunday.
The family-friendly free Footy Festival will also return to Elder Park.
Club and AFL members will once again have free access to their club’s match, a new family ticket will be introduced where kids go free, and a discounted multi-day pass will also be available.
Full ticketing information for Gather Round will be released in the coming weeks.
AFL Clubs will once again head out into the community to take part in fan activities and AFL Clinics.
This year’s inaugural Gather Round was an incredible success, contributing more than $83 million to the state’s economy and generating more than 150,000 visitor nights in South Australia.
All nine matches were sold out, with 268,000 fans attending matches, including more than 40,000 people from interstate.
It wasn’t just the city which benefited, Gather Round generated more than 25,000 visitor nights outside of Adelaide and the match in Mount Barker helped inject $2 million into the Adelaide Hills economy alone.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said “the race is now on for footy fans from interstate to book their flights and accommodation in South Australia for next year’s Gather Round”.
“Visitors who came to South Australia for the inaugural Gather Round loved it, and those who missed out wished they were here,” Premier Malinauskas said.
“The city will be electric on Thursday and Friday night as Adelaide Oval plays host to the Crows and Power, two matches at Mt Barker will showcase our beautiful Adelaide Hills, while The Parade will be packed on Sunday for the Food and Wine Festival.”
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said “Gather Round 2023 created a small slice of football history – all 18 clubs in the one state at the one time for a full round of nine matches and a celebration of footy.
“South Australia really turned it on, and we are excited to bring fans a bigger and better experience in 2024,” Mr Dillon said.
“On behalf of the AFL, I want to thank the SA government, led by Premier Malinauskas, who committed whole-heartedly to the success of the concept, and we will work together with his team to deliver a fantastic few days in the state.
“Last year’s Gather Round had the wonderful feel of a Grand Final week, from the footy festival and the zip line over the Torrens, to the community engagement activities and all the open training sessions the clubs held around the town, it was just an incredibly fun atmosphere which we are looking to top next season.”
