AFL Extends Gather Round in South Australia Through 2029
The AFL and South Australian government have agreed to extend Gather Round, the league's marquee festival event, through 2029 in a three-year extension deal announced Thursday. The event has become a major success, attracting over 270,000 fans in 2025 and generating an estimated $113 million in economic impact for the state. The extension provides certainty for the festival while introducing new initiatives including a player parade from 2027 and potential expansion to new venues.
The AFL and South Australian government have locked in a three-year extension of Gather Round through 2029, ending months of negotiations over the festival's future. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon and Premier Peter Malinauskas announced the deal in Adelaide on Thursday. The event has become one of Australian sport's most successful festivals, drawing more than 270,000 fans to the 2025 edition and delivering an estimated $113 million in economic impact. The extension will introduce several new elements starting in 2027, including a free street parade featuring players and coaches from every club, an AFL Hall of Fame function, and potentially a grand final replay at Adelaide Oval. The South Australian government is also exploring expansion opportunities, including a potential new venue in the McLaren Vale wine region. However, the arrival of the Tasmania Devils in 2028 will present a scheduling challenge, as the competition will move to 19 teams, requiring the AFL to determine how Gather Round accommodates an odd-numbered fixture.
What different sources said
- Sydney Morning HeraldCenter
AFL extends Gather Round in South Australia until 2029
- ABC AustraliaCenter
Breaking: SA locks in AFL Gather Round until 2029
Breaking: SA locks in AFL Gather Round until 2029
- Fox SportsCenter
Next two Origin games set to be revealed in new Gather Rd deal; ‘old Essendon’ pics emerge — Daily
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