AFL makes huge announcement on future of Gather Round

The AFL has announced where its Gather Round will be staged for the next three years, dividing the football world.

The AFL has announced Gather Round is staying in Adelaide for three more years.

Chief executive Gillon McLachlan and South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas on Sunday walked onto the Adelaide Oval to announce to the crowd the “festival of football” concept will remain in South Australia until the end of 2026.

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With the host city being widely applauded for its stellar job of creating a party atmosphere in the City of Churches, there were widespread calls for Gather Round to have a long-term future in South Australia.

Reports on Friday suggested a deal for the 2024 Gather Round was about to be rubber-stamped, but Sunday’s announcement was even bigger news for the host state.

South Australia was reported to have committed to spending $14 million to secure the hosting rights to the inaugural event — and the league is reported to have been exploring the possibility of hosting a match in the Barossa Valley well before the deal was formally agreed.

The AFL said earlier in the week the round was expected to see 190,000 people attend matches across the fixtures at Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval and in Mt Barker.

James Aish of the Dockers handballs in front of the Norwood scene. Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images.

The league announced the concept had blown expectations out of the water with 220,000 people attending matches and more than 60,000 visitors flying in from other states.

The AFL confirmed in a statement the league and Malinauskas government have a commitment to take matches to the iconic wine regions of the Barossa Valley and McLaren Valley.

“South Australia really turned it on. Gather Round and all the activity across the state, the nine matches, the footy festival and the community football engagement has been some of the best days and events the AFL has ever delivered,” McLachlan said.

“It has been a success because everyone in football got behind the idea, clubs, players, corporate partners and most importantly our fans, to deliver an extraordinary few days,

“While the concept has real momentum, and we plan on taking it to other states around the country, we also feel in order for it to be as successful in the other states we need to continue to build out the concept in South Australia.

West Coast and Geelong players in front of the iconic Adelaide scoreboard. Pic: Michael Klein.

Adelaide's Taylor Walker gave the local crowd plenty to celebrate. Image Phil Hillyard.

“The reality is we only had a few months to pull this together, and we hope by locking it in now we are giving everyone a longer runway to put together a bigger and even better event, and our fans certainty around booking travel and accommodation.

“The match at Mount Barker was a special afternoon on Saturday and an important part of recommitting to South Australia was to establish the community legacy fund, ensuring local footy clubs’ benefit from bringing the Gather Round to town.”

Malinauskas said: “The inaugural Gather Round has been a stunning success, in no small part thanks to the willingness of South Australians, and our interstate visitors, to show up.

“We know that this has delivered huge benefits for our state, and that is why I’m so pleased to see it return for the next three years.

“With more time to plan, we know we can make Gather Round even bigger and better than what it has already become.

“I want to thank Gillon McLachlan, the AFL, wider footballing community, public servants, councils and others who’ve all worked so hard to deliver such an amazing event in just a few months.

“But most of all, I want to thank each and every person who showed up.

“This agreement is because of you.”

The announcement has divided the rest of the competition after high profile figures this weekend called on the league to move the annual fixture to other states.

Coaches John Longmire, Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan have been among the high profile figures to call for the concept to be taken on the road to other cities.

The AFL reportedly viewed Sydney as its preferred venue for the inaugural Gather Round, but the South Australian government was impossible to say no to after an impressive pitch that included a rich incentive.

The Crows got the party started in Adelaide. Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

When asked about Gather Round before his team’s clash on Saturday, Kangaroos coach Clarkson said: “It’s a wonderful buzz around the city and it’s great for the economy of South Australia, but it’d sort of be a shame if it was just locked in to one state,” he said on Fox Footy.

“It’s a challenge for the AFL because it’s been such a success here. It’s such a carnival atmosphere. It’s fantastic.

“We’re really looking forward to the game, but that will be a tough call for the AFL because when you have something as successful as it’s been in South Australia you want to retain it, but there’s plenty of other states that could do just as good a job I reckon.”

Wet fans still had the time of their lives in Mt Barker. Picture: Brett Hartwig.

The picturesque rural venue was a beauty. Picture: Brett Hartwig.

He said after the game the Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia and NSW should all be options.

Fagan was also surprisingly blunt when asked the question before the game: “The buzz around Adelaide. It (Gather Round) should stay.

“Probably should move around the country though.”

Longmire was a little more cheeky when asked in his post match press conference.

“It’d be hard to argue against the concept wouldn’t it,” he said.

“It’s been an absolutely resounding success for the game. You see it in the people walking around the street. The joint’s buzzing. It’d be wonderful in Sydney.”

West Coast star Tim Kelly also spoke in favour of Perth’s hosting credentials when speaking during the Eagles’ captains run.

“It’s such a great atmosphere. The town is buzzing,” he said.

“It’s great to get support for all AFL teams here in town. It would be brilliant to have this in Perth.”