AFL sets us all to Gather Round

Football fans from around the country are set to flock to South Australia in the April school holidays, with the AFL confirming the fixture for the inaugural “Gather Round... A Festival of Footy”.

For the first time, all nine matches in a single round of the AFL season will be played in one state, with affordable tickets making matches accessible for many.

The Adelaide Oval will host six matches, with Norwood Oval playing home to two and Mount Barker one, providing an opportunity for interstate fans to get a taste of footy in the Adelaide Hills wine region.

The hometown Adelaide Crows will open the four-day fixture with a Thursday night match against the Carlton Blues at Adelaide Oval on April 13.

On Friday, Norwood Oval will host a twilight match between Fremantle and Gold Coast, while Richmond will play Sydney under lights at Adelaide Oval.

The Hills match between the Brisbane Lions and North Melbourne will be played early Saturday afternoon, followed by a double header at Adelaide Oval featuring Essendon vs Melbourne, followed by Port Adelaide vs the Western Bulldogs.

The final day of footballing festivities on Sunday April 16 will see the GWS Giants play Hawthorn at the Parade at Norwood, while the Adelaide Oval will host another double header: 2022 Premiers Geelong vs West Coast Eagles, followed by Collingwood vs St Kilda.

In a major drawcard for travelling and local fans alike, members of all competing clubs will get free entry to their own side’s match.

All other tickets will be capped at $30 for adults, $20 for concession (15-18 years old) and kids (under 15) will be FREE for all matches. Tickets will not be tiered or classified, and multi-day discounts will be available for all Adelaide Oval matches.

Tickets go on sale on Monday, meaning interstate fans can now begin planning and booking their trips to stay in SA and experience all the state has to offer.

With no SANFL or metropolitan community matches to be scheduled in Adelaide for the weekend, local football fans will have every opportunity to attend AFL matches and join the celebration.

Gather Round will arrive in SA just days before many of the world’s best golfers arrive for the LIV Golf tournament.

Virgin Australia has already added an additional 13,000 seats to Adelaide specifically for Gather Round, with flights between Melbourne and Adelaide almost doubling for the event.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said that excitement was already building for what will be the biggest round of footy in our state’s history.

“With the release of the fixture, fans can start booking their tickets, visitors can begin booking their accommodation and planning their trip to South Australia,” he said.

“The economic benefit to our tourism and hospitality sectors is going to be exceptional. We’re going to see double headers at Adelaide Oval and big matches at The Parade and Adelaide Hills. This really will be a festival of footy.

With affordable ticket prices on offer, we want to ensure as many people as possible can experience this incredible event for themselves.”

In a win for members and football fans everywhere, all competing club members will get free entry to their club’s match, while non-competing members and general public tickets are capped at a single price of $30 for adults, $20 concession (15-18 years old) and kids (under 15) are FREE at all matches. Tickets go on sale Monday December 12 via Ticketek.

AFL EGM Clubs, Broadcast and Fixturing Travis Auld said the Round Five fixture is the perfect mix for what should be a huge festival of footy in South Australia.

“Gather Round and the festival of footy in South Australia is an unbelievable opportunity for our competition and our clubs, our players and coaches are excited to come together and put on a great show for everyone,” Mr Auld said.

“South Australians love their footy, and with no SANFL or metropolitan community matches that weekend, we are hoping they also come and experience what will be a great four days of celebration, fun and a true festival of footy.”

Mr Auld also thanked the State Government for their ongoing support, including the work of the South Australian Tourism Commission.

More information: afl.com.au