AFL Extends Gather Round in South Australia Through 2029
The AFL and the South Australian government have agreed to a three-year extension of Gather Round, locking the festival of football into South Australia until the end of 2029. The current hosting deal was due to expire after 2026, and the extension was announced jointly by AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon and SA Premier Peter Malinauskas at Adelaide Oval on Thursday. The deal secures one of the AFL's most economically significant events for the state, with new features including a free player parade from 2027 and a preference for a grand final replay or blockbuster feature game each year.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon and South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas formally signed the Gather Round extension at Adelaide Oval on Thursday, with the agreement running through to the end of 2029. The deal introduces several new initiatives, most notably a free player parade through Adelaide's CBD beginning in 2027, with free public transport offered that afternoon, as well as a commitment to staging a grand final replay or equivalent blockbuster match on the Saturday of the round. The 2025 edition of Gather Round generated an estimated $113 million in economic impact, and the 2023–2025 editions combined contributed more than $285 million to the South Australian economy, with over 132,000 interstate visitors attending across those years. A record crowd of more than 270,000 attended the 2026 event. The SA government did not disclose the cost to taxpayers of the new deal, and no announcement was made regarding State of Origin or the specific venues for the 2027 edition, though dates and locations are expected to be confirmed in coming months. A potential new venue in the McLaren Vale wine region is being explored, though the premier confirmed there is no contractual commitment to that location. The arrival of the Tasmania Devils as a 19th team in 2028 presents a scheduling challenge for the round that the AFL will need to resolve.
What's missing
The financial terms of the deal — including what the SA government is paying the AFL for hosting rights — were not disclosed by any source.
How coverage differed
Coverage was broadly consistent across outlets, though Fox Sports placed greater emphasis on the anticipated State of Origin announcement that did not materialise, framing it as a notable omission, while the ABC and the Fairfax mastheads focused more on the economic and community benefits and the new parade and feature game initiatives.
What different sources said
- ABC AustraliaCenter
Breaking: SA locks in AFL Gather Round until 2029
- Sydney Morning HeraldCenter
AFL extends Gather Round in South Australia until 2029
- The AgeCenter
AFL extends Gather Round in South Australia until 2029
- Fox SportsCenter
Next two Origin games set to be revealed in new Gather Rd deal; ‘old Essendon’ pics emerge — Daily
- afl.com.auCenter
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