Gather Round kicks off: Guy Sebastian named the Crows’ number-one ticket holder as Premier declares 2024 will be bigger and better

With Gather Round 2024 tipped to be “better than the original”, the event kicks off with SA musical royalty named the Adelaide Crows’s new number one ticket holder.

Premier Peter Malinauskas has declared this year’s Gather Round sequel will be better than the original as the AFL’s festival of football returns to Adelaide.

After 2023’s hugely successful inaugural event, more than 200,000 tickets have already been snapped up to this weekend’s nine matches around SA. Only the Hawthorn-Collingwood game on Sunday afternoon has yet to sell out.

Crows captain Jordan Dawson with Guy Sebastian. Picture: Sarah Reed Photography

Joining AFL boss Andrew Dillon to launch the round on Wednesday, Mr Malinauskas backed SA to eclipse last year’s four-day footy feast, which attracted over 220,000 fans and generated $83m for the state’s economy.

“Second-year blues come when people take their foot off the pedal. We have done the exact opposite. We are pretty confident about back-to-back premierships here,” he said.

“How can we measure success thus far? Ticket sales are up on last year, every game is sold out – there are a handful of tickets for Collingwood-Hawthorn.

“We have seen genuine growth on last year. Everything is heading in the right direction.”

Gather Round will kick off on Thursday night with the winless Crows taking on Melbourne at Adelaide Oval.

Chart-topping singer-songwriter Guy Sebastian has been named the club’s new number-one ticket holder, which he described as an “incredible honour”.

“It was very emotional if I’m being honest. It’s an amazing privilege for me, I’m obviously in music but sport’s always been a massive part of my life,” said The Voice Australia coach, who will be cheering them on from Sydney.

Crows captain Jordan Dawson and Rory Sloane with Guy Sebastian. Picture: Sarah Reed Photography

“I grew up playing footy and cricket here in Adelaide and I’ve always loved the Crows, through the good and the bad.

“Being a supporter is sticking with the team and being there for the long haul, so I think it’s a great time to remind everyone to really get behind the players.”

Adelaide-raised Sebastian said Gather Round would “only get bigger” as he tipped the Crows to rebound from a 0-3 start.

“Delta (Goodrem) was texting me last night and we were saying ‘how good is Gather Round’,” he said.

“Look at the Adelaide Fringe – when you own something here, Adelaide really gets behind it. There’s cohesion across the whole state.”

Supporters of all ages are set to flock to footy-themed hubs and activations around the city, many of which launch on Thursday.

Maccas Footy Festival – AFL legend and SA local Shaun Burgoyne meets young fans. Picture: Keryn Stevens

This includes the return of the Macca’s Footy Festival site in Elder Park, with more than 100,000 fans tipped to enjoy the free activities including the NAB AFL Auskick Fun Zone, plus food trucks and licensed bars.

Four-time AFL premiership player and Seven expert commentator Shaun Burgoyne got a sneak peek of the site on Wednesday, alongside some aspiring young footballers.

Burgoyne said his family can’t wait to soak up the atmosphere on the riverbank.

“As a South Australian local now, we can’t wait to welcome a record number of fans from across the country to the Macca’s Footy Festival,” he said. Seven morning show Sunrise will also broadcast live from the Elder Park Rotunda on Friday, as a host of TV footy programs come to Adelaide across the weekend.

While tickets are virtually sold out this weekend, the AFL has introduced a new buyback scheme for Saturday’s double-header at Adelaide Oval which should prevent bays of empty seats for the second clash.

If spectators at the 3.50pm Carlton-Fremantle game officially release their tickets on an app post-game, they will again go on sale for the Western Bulldogs-Geelong game (7.40pm).

Those tickets will be just $10 with all proceeds going to charity in an attempt to boost attendances – with the initiative pushed strongly by Mr Malinauskas.

Shaun Burgoyne with his kids. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Perfect spring weather is expected in Adelaide with a string of spring days forecast over the weekend.

Thursday is predicted to reach a maximum of 22C, with Friday a sunny 24C, followed by 25C on Saturday. Sunday will be cloudy and 24C.

On Wednesday night, about 400 of AFL’s biggest names including club presidents, chief executives and retired legends gathered in Glenelg for a black-tie event to welcome Gather Round to South Australia.

Originally published as Gather Round kicks off: Guy Sebastian named the Crows’ number-one ticket holder as Premier declares 2024 will be bigger and better