Following another record-breaking Gather Round in April, the AFL and the South Australian Government have today announced the much-loved event will remain in South Australia until at least 2029.
The 2027 Gather Round will see the introduction of a player parade, giving fans a chance to see some of their favourite players up close.
Since its inception in 2023, Gather Round has attracted more than one million attendees to matches at Mt Barker Stadium, Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval as well as the development and utilisation of the new Barossa Park infrastructure.
The 2023, 2024 and 2025 Gather Rounds generated a combined economic impact of more than $285 million and attracted more than 132,000 interstate visitors, reinforcing the event's status as one of the country's most successful major sporting events.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon described Gather Round as "one of the biggest and best events in the country".
"From packed- and sold-out stadiums, the Macca’s Footy Festival, the Parade at Norwood, Bounce around the Barossa and everything in between, Gather Round has captured the imagination of footy fans and delivered an event like nothing else in Australian sport," Mr Dillon said.
He thanked the SA community and the South Australian Government for embracing the event, saying it had become an "umissable" few days during the footy season.
"With more footy fans travelling and more communities sharing in the benefits, we're excited to build on what we have delivered in partnership with the SA Government and SATC," Mr Dillon said.
Since Gather Round was introduced in 2023, the South Australian Football Facilities Fund - delivered in partnership with the South Australian Government, the AFL and SANFL - has supported 111 projects across metropolitan and regional South Australia resulting in an estimated $96 million in total project value.
During that time $8 million in grants have been awarded helping to upgrade and modernise community football infrastructure with benefits felt by more than 40,000 participants across South Australian community clubs and schools.
The dates and venues for the 2027 Gather Round will be confirmed in the coming months.
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