Premier slams massive Adelaide Oval carpark price hike as ‘poor form’

The decision to increase the cost of attending games at Adelaide Oval by more than 50 per cent has left sports fans fuming – including Premier Peter Malinauskas.

Footy fans have expressed confusion and anger over the move to increase parking fees from $23 to $35 at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Ben Clark.

Sport fans will have to fork out more for game-day parking at Adelaide Oval, after prices were raised by more than 50 per cent.

The Stadium Management Authority, which leases out the carpark to Wilson Parking, increased pricing at the oval’s east and north carparks from $23 to $35 on November 1 last year.

The price hike would see Port and Crows members fork out $420 for parking if they attend all 12 of their team’s home games, compared to just $276 last year.

SACA members, who already spend $415 for an annual ticket, face the prospect of spending $175 on parking if they attended all five days of the Test match.

Footy fans only have to pay $10 to secure a public carpark in Melbourne’s Yarra Park, which is walking distance to the MCG, while event parking at Marvel Stadium can be pre-booked online for $32.

Adelaide Oval parking has increased to $35. 21 January 2026. Picture: Dean Martin

The change has sparked frustration from both Crows and Port fans, as well as the Premier.

Peter Malinauskas slammed the massive hike as out of touch: “Such a big, 50 per cent increase in the cost of parking at Adelaide Oval is poor form,” he said.

“I don’t think they’ve read the room and might want to think about it.”

Adelaide Crows Supporters Group President Peter Kauschke said the massive increase was another hit for South Australians doing it tough.

“It’s disgusting in this day and age when so many people are struggling,” Mr Kauschke said.

“You expect it to go up to $25 to $26, but this is a staggering increase, it really needs to be revisited.

“I can’t fathom why they would be so high, it’s well above CPI.”
Port Adelaide cheer squad member Sao Palmer was furious with the price hike.

“We often get there two hours early to get the banner set up, but now we’re just going to Uber as it’s honestly cheaper,” she said.

“It’s unbelievable, I’m speechless, I can’t believe it

“You would understand a $2 or $3 increase, but this is just ridiculous

“There’s pensioners, people with disabilities and young families who use the parks, they won’t be able to afford to go.

“If this isn’t money grabbing, I don’t know what is.”

Fans who attend all home games would have to fork out $420 on carparking. Picture: Brenton Edwards

It’s understood the price increase will be applied during other sporting events and gigs, such as Metallica’s upcoming Adelaide Oval concert.
AFL Fans Association vice president Justin Leckie said the hike could price fans out of attending a game.

“A $12 increase or more than 50 per cent in one year is a real challenge for some people to find as part of their footy budget,” Mr Leckie said.

Justin Leckie says the price rise will impact supporters from all backgrounds. Picture Mark Brake

Premier Peter Malinauskas at Adelaide Oval. Picture: File

“There are some groups, like people who need accessibility parking, the elderly who just can’t walk long distances, country people who just want to get in the car and get back to Whyalla at night before they fall asleep, they are the type of people who are going to use the oval (parking) and will probably have to find the extra $12 each match.

“It’s going to add up.”

A spokesperson for the Stadium Management Authority told The Advertiser it was the first carpark price increase in three years.
“While we encourage our patrons to make use of free event day public transport, which the SMA helps subsidise alongside the State Government, cricket and footy, we understand that some people will always need to drive to the game,” they said.

“As such, this increase was not made lightly, but ultimately reflects the rising costs we are facing much like any other business.”
“We have done our best to absorb as much of that cost pressure as possible, including ensuring only a nominal increase was passed onto our 200 accessible carparking pass holders.”
They said the added income from the price hike helped cover the cost of maintaining the turf carpark at the northern end of the oval.

The decision comes after Adelaide Oval last year raised the price of beer, hot chips and pies ahead of the AFL season.