Return of AFL Gather Round set to reignite Adelaide’s regions once again
To be held 4-7 April across Thursday to Sunday, five games will be staged at Adelaide Oval in the City of Adelaide, two at Norwood Oval in the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, and two at Summit Sport and Recreation Park in the Mount Barker District Council area.
The AFL has released ticketing information giving fans the flexibility of selecting single day or multi-day passes to customise their in-person viewing experience.
After a decade-long hiatus, the Norwood Food and Wine Festival will also be revived – through a $300,000 investment from council in partnership with the State Government – to bolster the footy festivities on The Parade.
The iconic eastern suburbs strip enjoyed more than $2.2 million of hospitality spend across the inaugural Gather Round earlier this year.
City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters Mayor Robert Bria said his council and the local community were to once again be involved in the popular festival of footy.
“To say we have been waiting with anticipation is an understatement,” Mayor Bria said.
“Gather Round 2023 was an outstanding success for the council, Norwood Football Club and the local community, so we are thrilled with the announcement.
“The vibe and excitement at Norwood Oval and along The Parade was electric this year, and I speak on behalf of thousands when I say: ‘bring on Gather Round April 2024!’”
The Summit Sport and Recreation Park in Mount Barker has also been selected again and will this year hold two games – up from one – for Gather Round.
Mount Barker Acting Mayor Simon Westwood said with increased lead time, coupled with insights from the previous event, the 2024 instalment will be bigger and better.
“With at least 50 per cent of ticket holders expected from interstate, this represents a golden opportunity to bolster tourism in the region,” Acting Mayor Westwood said.
“Together with our regional partners, our goal is to support local businesses to highlight how magnificent the district and Adelaide Hills tourism region is to encourage visitors to stay longer and explore our townships over the duration of the AFL Gather Round weekend.
“Mount Barker and the wider Adelaide Hills is well placed to sell South Australia to the nation, given the quality of the food, drink and experiences on offer, its proximity to Adelaide and the potential for flow on effects to the neighbouring Barossa, Langhorne Creek and McLaren Vale tourism regions.”
While the Barossa Valley again missed out on hosting a Gather Round game for 2024, the Barossa Council is making inroads to ensure the famous wine region is included in the 2025 fixture.
In October, the council endorsed the $303,000 extension of the oval at Tanunda Recreation Park, which will be lengthened from 160 metres to 171 metres.
Nuriootpa’s Centennial Park has also been viewed by AFL officials after new changerooms were built in late 2020, while the planned regional facility at Lyndoch will also include upgrades to changerooms and clubrooms and could present as another viable venue.
The investments by Barossa Council will support generations to come and responds to local, regional and state aspirations, delivering improved community recreation and sporting assets as well as economic event and tourism opportunities.
The Gather Round 2024 fixture is:
Thursday, April 4
Adelaide v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm ACDT
Friday, April 5
Brisbane v North Melbourne, Norwood Oval, 4.40pm ACDT
Port Adelaide v Essendon, Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm ACDT
Saturday, April 6
Sydney v West Coast, Mount Barker, 1pm ACDT
Carlton v Fremantle, Adelaide Oval 3.50pm ACDT
Geelong v Western Bulldogs, Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm ACDT
Sunday, April 7
Gold Coast v Greater Western Sydney, Mount Barker, 12pm ACST
Richmond v St Kilda, Norwood Oval, 2.50pm ACST
Collingwood v Hawthorn, Adelaide Oval, 4.40pm ACST
Find out more about the 2024 Gather Round
