Looking for something to do in Adelaide on the first weekend in April? Look no further – Gather Round is back! A weekend of football and fun in the sunshine, Gather Round brings all eighteen AFL teams and thousands of fans to South Australia from 4-7 April.
The city will light up with festivities all week long, and we’re here to give you the rundown on how to best experience it.
Read more: Australian Rules Football: A Introduction
What is Gather Round?
AFL Gather Round is occurring during round four of the 2024 AFL season. Over four days, all nine football matches are being played in and around Adelaide, instead of being spread out all across the country.
Last year, over 260,000 people attended the matches, which were held at Adelaide Oval and at suburban and regional football grounds.
When and where are the games being played?
Most matches will be played at Adelaide Oval, South Australia’s largest stadium and home to the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide football teams, The Crows will kick off Gather Round, playing against Melbourne on Thursday, while on Friday, Port Adelaide will match up against Essendon.
Other matches will be played in suburban Norwood and up in the beautiful Adelaide Hills, with live music, player appearances and interactive games and installations.
For the full fixture and to see when your team is playing, visit the AFL website.
What else is on in Adelaide during Gather Round?
If you don’t have tickets to a match, don’t worry! There is plenty to do in and around Adelaide during Gather Round. Elder Park, on the Torrens riverbank, is the home of the Festival of Footy, hosting games and events all weekend. You might even see your favourite player wandering around! Head into Gilbert Place in the city to watch every match on a big screen, and enjoy food and drinks with your friends.
The Norwood Food and Wine Festival is being held on the Sunday, from 11am – 8pm on the Parade. Local bars, cafes and restaurants will be open to showcase South Australian produce and drinks, while live entertainment will include indie rock band the Temper Trap.
To close out the weekend, Aussie icons Jet and Baker Boy are playing Gather Live – a free concert at Adelaide Oval. You don’t want to miss out on this one – get your tickets here.
Where can I get tickets to the matches?
If you missed out on tickets, the AFL is releasing a limited number of tickets to all matches at 1pm (venue local time) on Thursday, March 21. Tickets are expected to sell out fast – so get in quick!
Alternatively, if you have family or friends who can no longer attend a match, they can transfer their tickets to you via the Ticketek app.
Adelaide is famous for its festivals, and Gather Round is just another reason to head down to this beautiful city. Pick a team, join in the fun and enjoy gathering with friends to watch Australia’s unique national sport.
