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AFL Gather Round Future in South Australia Subject to Negotiations and League Expansion

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AFL Gather Round: Long-Term Future in South Australia Under Negotiation

Negotiations are underway between the Australian Football League and the South Australian government regarding the long-term hosting of the AFL's Gather Round event beyond the current agreement, which concludes after this weekend.

The discussions are described as complex, with the planned introduction of a 19th team in Tasmania in 2028 cited as a key factor affecting future competition structure.

Current Negotiation Status

The AFL's Gather Round is currently in its fourth year in South Australia. The state is hosting the event under a three-year agreement secured following the 2023 edition. That agreement is set to conclude after the matches scheduled for April 9-12, 2026.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has stated his objective is to secure a new, long-term hosting agreement for the event. AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon has confirmed that discussions with the Premier are ongoing, describing them as "complex" but potentially "fruitful."

Both parties have indicated that an announcement is not expected imminently, with Dillon noting negotiations could extend for weeks or months.

Premier Malinauskas has emphasized a preference for a thorough negotiation process over a rushed agreement.

Impact of Tasmania's Entry

A significant factor in the negotiations is the AFL's planned expansion, with a 19th team based in Tasmania scheduled to join the competition in 2028.

Gather Round was introduced as an additional 23rd game on the AFL calendar. The arrival of an uneven number of teams will require the league to restructure its schedule. The options are to reduce the number of matches per team to 22 or increase it to 24.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon stated this change adds complexity to discussions about Gather Round's future format and placement.

Statements from Officials

  • AFL CEO Andrew Dillon acknowledged the complexities introduced by the new team and stated that the structure of the competition is a point of discussion. He commended South Australia's hosting of the event.
  • SA Premier Peter Malinauskas expressed a desire for Gather Round to remain in South Australia for an extended period.

He argued that long-term certainty is necessary for the state to justify further investment and innovation in the event, suggesting that a year-to-year approach would be detrimental.

Event Metrics and Details

Officials have reported positive indicators for the current 2026 Gather Round:

  • Premier Malinauskas cited increased hotel bookings compared to the same period last year.
  • Other metrics, including visitor arrivals and ticket sales, were reported as suggesting the 2026 event will be at least as large as, if not larger than, the 2025 edition.
  • Dillon attributed part of the strong interstate travel to federal government measures regarding fuel excise.
  • The event features all 18 AFL clubs competing across three venues in South Australia from April 9 to 12, including one fixture in the Barossa Valley.

Wider Context

Previous reports have mentioned New South Wales and Tasmania as other locations that have been considered for hosting Gather Round fixtures. The ongoing negotiations will determine the event's location and format for the years following 2026.