2026 Gather Round driving more visitors

Momentum is building for the AFL Gather Round, with hotel bookings in South Australia now outpacing last year’s performance.
 
The 2025 Gather Round saw an unprecedented economic return of more than $113 million for the South Australian economy.
 
Forward booking data from CoStar shows there are an average of 9,676 rooms booked for each night of this year’s Gather Round, compared to 9,550 rooms booked at the same time for the same round in 2025.
 
This represents an average occupancy of 84 per cent.
 
Gather Round is anticipated to draw tens of thousands of visitors to South Australia during the key school holiday period, with the AFL partnering with Shell to deliver fuel discounts of 10 cents per litre via the AFL app for the Gather Round period of April 8-13.
 
The fuel discount is in addition to the 32 cent per litre saving to be delivered by Federal and State Governments via reductions to fuel excise and GST.
 
Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas said Gather Round has developed its own economic momentum and it is very pleasing to see more hotel rooms booked than last year, especially in the face of the fuel crisis. 
 
"This interstate visitation brings new money into our economy and provides crucial demand for our tourism and hospitality sectors at a time when they need it the most," Premier Malinauskas said. 
 
"Whether you have a ticket to a match, are wandering through the Norwood Food and Wine Festival, or are catching a free bus to bounce around Barossa wineries, Gather Round presents an affordable, family-friendly environment to enjoy the best of South Australia — whether you’re a visitor or a local."