The more than a quarter of a million football fans converging on Adelaide and surrounds to watch all 18 AFL teams battle it out over four days for Gather Round have been asked to consider leaving their cars at home and let Adelaide Metro do the driving.
Gather Round ticketholders can travel for free on Footy Express and Adelaide Metro services, while dedicated shuttle buses will run fans from the city to Norwood and Mount Barker - and back again - across the weekend.
Fans heading to the Hills and Norwood can catch the shuttle from King William Rd, opposite the Maccas Footy Festival, while Hills locals can get to the Summit Sport and Recreation Park using the Mount Barker Park ‘n’ Ride Loop Bus Shuttle service.
Simply show a valid game day ticket and board for free from midday to last service on Thursday 4 April and Friday 5 April, and all day Saturday and Sunday (April 6-7).
For fans exploring Adelaide, using a metroCARD remains the best option to transfer to other services or travel with a concession fare. Tap and Pay tickets are an alternative for interstate fans and those on a full adult fare who don’t use public transport often.
Map your Gather Round journey here or visit Adelaide Metro to check your timetable in real time.
Springs Rd and Heysen Boulevard, Mount Barker, will be closed on Saturday and Sunday while The Parade, Norwood, will be closed on Sunday.
With other local road closures expected, fans are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time when travelling.
The closure of The Parade is to allow for the staging of the Norwood Food & Wine Festival, which is returning for Gather Round with a fresh take which will feature a vibrant festival of footy atmosphere and a major headline act.
Australian indie outfit The Temper Trap – the only band to have ever performed at two AFL Grand Finals – will headline an expansive line up of live entertainment set to further draw crowds to the Norwood precinct.
You can catch The Temper Trap at 6.15pm, with the rest of the line up available here.
Footy and festival fans are set to gather along The Parade from Portrush Rd to Osmond Terrace on Sunday from 11am to 8pm, coinciding with the second of two matches at Norwood Oval during AFL Gather Round which will see Richmond take on St Kilda.
The precinct’s bars, cafes and restaurants will be joined by some of the state’s best wine, beer and spirit producers for an afternoon of festivities in true South Australian style. The festival is free to enter, with AFL games broadcast on big screens along The Parade and within venues.
Participating local traders include arkhé, The Bath Hotel, 30 Acres, Amadio Wines and Argo, offering everything from fresh seafood to charcoal fired dishes, lavish desserts and unique cocktails.
Other producers, produce and venues from across South Australia will be showcased at the event, including Fair Seafood, Pirate Life and 23rd Street Distillery.
The Norwood Food & Wine Festival will also feature a Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel cooking demonstration stage hosted by celebrity chef Callum Hann.
Local musicians, the Dusty Lee Band and Motel Music, will join the lineup of entertainment.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said there has been an “unprecedented level of interest for this year’s Festival of Football in Adelaide”.
“In response to this demand, we will see entertainment offerings throughout the city rise to another level,” Mr Dillon said.
“The Norwood Food & Wine Festival on Sunday is sure to be one of the highlights, and we’re excited to have The Temper Trap on board to get the party started.”
The Temper Trap frontman Dougy Mandagi said the band couldn’t wait to get back to a state that loves festivals and football.
“We’ve done some really cool things with the AFL over the years, and we are excited to continue that by playing in Norwood during Gather Round,” Mandagi said.
But the Temper Trap is just part of the exciting live music offering across Gather Round, with electronic music duo The Presets performing between matches at Saturday's double-header at Adelaide Oval and JET and Baker Boy closing out festivities at Adelaide Oval on Sunday evening.
Visit our interactive map for a full list of what's on when and where across Gather Round.
Supporters with reserved seats who are attending the first double-header match between Fremantle and Carlton and cannot stay on for the second game that evening will be able to return their tickets at the South Plaza Box Office for re-sale to fans who have missed out on the sold-out match to purchase.
Each returned reserved seat ticket will be sold for a $10 flat fee with all proceeds going to the charity partner of Gather Round, the Women's and Children's Hospital. Returned reserved seat tickets are not eligible for a full or partial refunds by patrons exiting the double header after the first match.
Returned tickets can only be purchased in-person at the South Plaza Box Office and the quantities and location of seats are dependent on those returned by exiting fans.
