AFL Magic Round 2023: South Australia poised to host new round in one state

Get excited, South Australia! All 18 teams will head to Adelaide with our state poised to host the AFL’s first Magic Round. But will it happen it 2023?

Adelaide is believed to be the frontrunner to secure the AFL’s inaugural “Magic Round”. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

South Australia is poised to host the AFL’s inaugural “Magic Round”.

Senior sources told News Corp that Adelaide was set to beat Sydney for the event, which would feature nine matches in one state in the space of a few days in April.

New South Wales started as a hot favourite but SA’s pitch to hold the round in a football heartland, as well as its lucrative financial offer, helped tilt things in its favour.

Although the round will be a huge logistics challenge for TV broadcasters Channel 7 and Fox Footy, it is understood they are planning for it to go ahead in 2023.

An SA government spokesman said: “South Australia has put our best foot forward to put ourselves in a strong position, however we are not in receipt of any confirmation from the AFL”.

Football fans in Adelaide are set for a huge win when Magic Round comes to town.

The government has tapped into its major events fund as part of its bid, believing the round can showcase SA and attract tourists from interstate.

At least six matches are expected to be played at Adelaide Oval, one will be in the Barossa Valley, while a SANFL venue and another region are in the frame to host the others.

The new round will increase the length of the season to 23 matches per team for the first time.

It will come at the expense of a second week of pre-season games.

Clubs and players will get extra money from the additional round.

The AFL said there was no update.