Negotiations Intensify Over Gather Round's Future in SA
Negotiations are ongoing between the South Australian government and the Australian Football League (AFL) regarding the long-term future of the Gather Round event in South Australia. The current three-year hosting agreement is set to conclude after the 2026 event, and discussions are complicated by the planned introduction of a 19th AFL team in Tasmania in 2028.
Negotiation Status
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas is advocating for a multi-year agreement to keep Gather Round in the state beyond 2026. He has stated that the state’s bargaining position is favorable following the success of the current event but emphasized a preference for finalizing a correct agreement over a rushed one.
"I've got a responsibility to get this right, and I'm trying to hold the line on a few things." — Peter Malinauskas
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon described the negotiations as “complex” but “fruitful,” noting that the discussions could extend over weeks or months. Dillon confirmed that the arrival of the 19th team in Tasmania adds complexity to the negotiations, as the league must restructure its schedule from its current format. Gather Round was originally introduced as a 23rd game, and the addition of a new team will require the schedule to be adjusted to either 22 or 24 matches.
Key Discussion Points
The negotiations involve several specific elements:
- The term length of a new hosting agreement.
- How an additional team would be incorporated into the event's concept.
- The potential inclusion of AFLW matches in future Gather Rounds.
Andrew Dillon described the discussions as “complex” but acknowledged the potential for a fruitful outcome. He commended South Australia’s hosting of the event.
Event Attendance and Success Metrics
The South Australian government reported that 270,018 fans attended the nine AFL matches during the 2026 Gather Round, held from April 9 to 12 across venues in Adelaide and the Barossa Valley. This represents an increase from 269,506 attendees in the previous year.
Premier Malinauskas reported higher hotel bookings and positive trends in visitor arrivals, cross-border traffic, and ticket sales for the 2026 event. Dillon affirmed the event's success in South Australia, citing robust interstate travel, strong ticket sales, and favorable broadcast ratings.
Interstate Interest and Potential Expansion
Other states have expressed interest in hosting similar events:
- Sydney Swans chair Andrew Pridham stated that the New South Wales government has expressed interest in hosting a second Gather Round at the start of a season.
- There has been discussion of Tasmania potentially hosting the round when its team joins the AFL in 2028.
- Tasmania Devils general manager Kath McCann attended the 2026 Gather Round in Adelaide and raised the possibility of a future AFLW Gather Round.
Premier Malinauskas commented that a “Gather Round lite” event in another state could compromise the main event. He stated that the focus is on securing the right outcome for South Australia rather than rushing the process.
“I'm trying to hold the line on a few things. My responsibility is to maximize benefits for South Australia.” — Peter Malinauskas
Fan Observations
Several fans commented positively on their experience at the event, including Essendon supporters who traveled from Darwin and a Western Bulldogs supporter from Adelaide who described having multiple teams playing in one location as “amazing.”