Port Adelaide’s Thursday night clash with Geelong at Adelaide Oval will have economic benefits beyond Adelaide Oval

Power’s home finals clash on Thursday night is set to make a big splash on the tills, as night-time spending across the CBD and North Adelaide is tipped to run into millions.

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Port Adelaide’s qualifying final against Geelong will spark an enormous weekday spend in the city, tipped to be 80 per cent higher than a standard Thursday in September.

Adelaide Economic Development Agency is forecasting night-time spending across the CBD and North Adelaide to reach $5m, up from a typical night of $2.8m.

Restaurants and pubs are expecting their seats to fill up fast for the 7:40pm kick off, while hotel occupancy is expected to be at least 70 per cent, according to STR data.

AEDA general manager Greg Ratsch said the economic benefits of fans flocking to Adelaide Oval would “extend beyond the oval – it will boost the retail and hospitality sectors”.

“So come into the city and go shopping beforehand, grab a bit to eat and drink pre and post-game, and stay the night in a hotel,” Mr Ratsch said.

“These sorts of well-attended events add to Adelaide as a tourism hotspot, while supporting a vibrant and liveable city.”

Port fans Joseph Vella, Karl Cornel and Adele Spark get ready to cheer on the Power at the Archer Hotel in North Adelaide. Picture: Mark Brake

Australian Hotels Association chief executive Anna Moeller said a sold-out home final against a Victorian team, bringing tourists to the city, came at a opportune time.

“We know occupancy rates drop significantly during winter, which they have done, so this is a really nice way to spring into spring,” Ms Moeller said.

“The government is working hard to try and address the low occupancy rates in winter and have injected millions into it.

“One of the ways we can do that is to attract business events during that period because we know business travellers spend roughly three times that of a general traveller.”

Port Adelaide Football Club chief executive Matthew Richardson said the final was an example of how the club “contributes significantly to our state, beyond just the sport itself”.

The Archer Hotel venue manager, Karl Cornel, said the North Adelaide pub was ready for a busy night with a “significant increase” in pre-game bookings and meals.

“We’re also expecting a large crowd to stay and watch the game live on our screens and we will be offering beer specials from siren to siren,” Mr Cornel said.

“Additionally, we have made arrangements to accommodate the Socceroos supporter group that has booked in to watch Australia’s World Cup qualifier against Bahrain.”

Bartender Adele Spark was preparing for a big night and expected it to go “well after midnight”.

“It’ll be all hands on deck, hopefully Port win, if they do, it’ll be huge,” Ms Spark said.

Port fan Joseph Vella will head along to the game with seven of his family and will be hoping for a better result than the last Port final he attended at Adelaide Oval nearly a year ago.

“I think being at home that will give them a lot of confidence, but you never know in a final,” Mr Vella said.

“I’m hoping they get over the line that would be great.”

Adelaide Oval express bus, train and tram services will be operating and free for AFL game ticket holders.

Originally published as Port Adelaide’s Thursday night clash with Geelong at Adelaide Oval will have economic benefits beyond Adelaide Oval