Diehard footy fans camp overnight in Adelaide for first Gather Round tickets
A diehard Crows fan has become the first to get his hands on physical tickets to next year’s Gather Round, in front of other devotees who lined up overnight.
Footy diehards have braved Adelaide’s cold streets on Tuesday night, with some queuing for a whopping 24 hours rather than risk missing out on the coveted 2026 Gather Round tickets going on sale on Wednesday.
Fans began arriving outside the Adelaide Entertainment Centre box office from as early as 10am on Tuesday armed with blankets, camping chairs and plenty of patience.
By Wednesday morning the queue had grown as more fans arrived and guarded their hard-won spots ahead of the 10am member release.
At 10am on the dot, James Culshaw finally got what he’d been waiting 24 hours for: nine Gather Round tickets to the Crow’s game.
The Trinity Gardens resident was first in line, grinning from ear to ear with his tickets strung around his neck like a flower garland.
“I’m not sure if I’m dedicated or insane,” he joked.
“Probably a combination of both. For me, I find it’s far less anxiety sitting among a group of kindred people, talking and chatting and eating than having to go through the anxiety of doing massive countdowns and then hoping that you get everything right, with the possibility of being told you’ve dropped out and all these sorts of things.”
Decked out in bright orange glasses, perfectly matched nails and a pop of lipstick to complete the look, it’s impossible to miss Crows tragic Robyn Kosmider from Belair near the front of the line.
She’s one of the brave few who has been camped out since 11am Tuesday, all in the hope of securing a prized ticket.
But the biggest battle hasn’t been the wait.
“The toilet is the hardest part,” she admitted honestly.
“Between trying to find somewhere to go to the loo and getting something to eat, that’s the real challenge.”
Despite the discomfort, Ms Kosmider is no stranger to sleeping rough for a chance at tickets, having done it before for this years Christmas Pageant.
“But for the pageant, Adelaide City Council at least puts toilets around,” she said.
“I didn’t think it would hurt for them to put toilets out on days like this too.”
Among the other early risers in the line was Connie Close, who is not just a footy fan but also the grandmother of Geelong player Bradley Close.
The West Lakes local arrived at 4am, tasked with a big mission for her family.
She had been entrusted with securing tickets for her entire clan this season and did not want to leave anything to chance.
“I’m looking to get 12 tickets for three different games,” she said.
“I tried Ticketek last year and also because I need different games that’s why I chose to line up. I am (the designated ticket buyer) for my family. We’ve got a lot coming up from Geelong so they’ve sent me over their barcodes and I’m the one sitting here to collect the tickets.”
She admits her football loyalties have also changed with family ties.
“I was initially a Crows inaugural member but only just changed because my grandson plays for Geelong. So we’re also Geelong tickets.”
Brothers and Crows fans Chris and Mark Leaver said they decided to brave the queue after what they described as a “horrible” experience trying to secure tickets over the phone for the last Gather Round.
“We did not like trying to get the tickets on the phone it’s a real muck up,” Chris said.
“To compete 9 games, 18 teams in this one day or next couple of days, it’s a lot to ask.”
“Last year was horrible. I did stuff up the tickets but I managed to go through others.”
A Crows member since 1991, Chris said he expected a tougher season ahead as the club faces stronger competition, but remained confident the team could build on the last year’s efforts.
Meanwhile Port supporter Michael from West Lakes, who joined the queue at 3am, is feeling upbeat about his team’s “favourable” draw for the season ahead.
A folding chair and good company, he said, are the secret weapons to surviving the long wait.
He joked the key is finding something comfortable enough to kick back in while chatting with the neighbours in line.
Like many around him, Michael is not a fan of relying on technology to score tickets.
“You don’t get enough time to put in all your details and if you’re not quick enough you get flung to the back of the queue and line up again,” he said.
“I rather come here and try my luck through the ticket box.”
The 2026 AFL Gather Round runs from April 9 to 12 with games at Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval and Barossa Park.
Members can jump into the pre-sale through Ticketek from 10am today. The general public gets its turn at 3pm Thursday. If the overnight crowd is any sign, seats will be snapped up quick.
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Originally published as Diehard footy fans camp overnight in Adelaide for first Gather Round tickets
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