Airbnb hosts hoping to capitalise on AFL Gather Round by listing properties up to $10,000 a night

Leaving accommodation for Adelaide’s AFL Gather Round until the last minute could be an extremely costly mistake for some travellers.

Interstate visitors who left their accommodation bookings for AFL’s Gather Round to the last minute could secure a luxury stay – if they’re willing to pay up to $10,000 a night.

Some property owners are hoping to capitalise on the influx of footy fans by listing their properties on Airbnb at exorbitant prices over the weekend.

Swainson Apartments has listed its North Brighton property – which sleeps 16 people – at $27,834 for the a Friday to Monday stay.

However, the owner of that property told The Advertiser they charged a fixed price based on a three-week stay in the house, regardless of the duration guests actually spent there.

The same company has listed a similar apartment next door – that sleeps eight – for $13,845.

Other properties in Hawthorndene and Darlington are well in excess of $15,000 for the same period across the festival of footy.

It comes as hotels and caravan parks across Adelaide start to reach capacity with tens of thousands of visitors expected to descend on the city this weekend.

While SA’s Australian Hotels Association chief Ian Horne was staggered by some of the prices on Airbnb, he said it was ultimately a marketplace.

Swainson on Margaret Airbnb is looking for luxurious visitors to snap up their apartment. Picture: Supplied

Swainson on Margaret airbnb in Brighton for $9,211.33 per night. Picture: Supplied

“You could buy a small SUV for that price and sleep in it. If that person can get someone to pay $27,000 then good luck to them,” he said.

“If no one wants to pay it then it won’t be rented out.”

Mr Horne said if travellers haven’t already booked, the options are becoming limited.

“They certainly, won’t be getting their first choice, but I encourage them to shop around,” he said.

“But isn’t that a fantastic thing because this isn’t a charity event, it’s a national sporting event that are designed to stimulate the economy in terms of encouraging future investment. It seems to be hitting the mark.”

"Hawthorndene Masterpiece on Airbnb advertised for $5253 per night. Picture: Airbnb

Airbnb Australia and New Zealand country manager Susan Wheeldon said the major events in Adelaide are a great opportunity for both new and existing hosts.

“Hosting on Airbnb is a great way to help showcase Adelaide’s incredible world-class events and diverse and exciting experiences the city has to offer,” she said.

“It offers a unique opportunity for new and existing hosts in Adelaide to be part of this incredible month of sport in Adelaide, while also creating an opportunity to earn extra income to combat rising cost of living.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas said it was up to the individual to make their own choices on rates.

“When it comes to accommodation providers, they’re seeking to recoup as much money as they can from what they lost during the depths of the pandemic,” he said.

“We want people to come across from interstate and if they’re doing that paying higher rates, then that’s good for the local South Australian economy.”