The 2026 Gather Round of the AFL witnessed an unprecedented turnout, with over 270,000 attendees participating in the matches held across Adelaide and the Barossa Valley.
Premier Peter Malinauskas has confirmed that discussions regarding the future of the event are ongoing. Football clubs from New South Wales and Tasmania have expressed interest in organizing their own versions of the Gather Round.
Malinauskas emphasized his commitment to maintaining a strong position in negotiations as South Australia seeks to retain the Gather Round following its record-breaking attendance this year. He noted that the discussions are centered on the duration of the agreement with the AFL, the inclusion of an additional team, and the potential involvement of the AFLW.
In an interview with 891 ABC Adelaide on Monday morning, Malinauskas stated, “I have a duty to ensure this is done right, and I am making an effort to uphold certain principles.” The state government reported that a total of 270,018 fans attended the nine AFL matches from Thursday to Sunday, surpassing last year’s figure of 269,506.
While attending the event, Malinauskas spoke with AFL CEO Andrew Dillon and AFL Commission chair Craig Drummond. He remarked that South Australia is in a favorable negotiating position due to the successful turnout of the 2026 Gather Round but emphasized the importance of careful deliberation over hasty agreements.
Malinauskas highlighted that the focus should be on the event’s various components rather than the undisclosed financial terms being negotiated with the AFL. “I want to ensure that we maximize the benefits for South Australia, so we will take our time to get it right,” he remarked.
Concerns about potential interstate iterations of the Gather Round were raised last week by Andrew Pridham, chair of the Sydney Swans, who indicated that the NSW government is keen on hosting a second Gather Round at the season’s start. Additionally, talks have surfaced regarding Tasmania hosting the event when the state’s team joins the AFL in 2028.
However, Malinauskas cautioned that a diminished version of the Gather Round could undermine its significance. “We are firm on a few key principles,” he stated.
Kath McCann, general manager of marketing, public affairs, and social impact for the Tasmania Devils, attended the Gather Round and expressed enthusiasm for a future AFLW Gather Round. “I would love to see a women’s Gather Round in the future,” she shared during an interview with ABC Tasmania’s Mornings program.
Hugh Dixon, a player for Tasmania in the VFL, remarked that the Gather Round seems to be a permanent fixture in South Australia, though he envisions that similar events could be hosted in Tasmania in the future. “Perhaps we could have a heritage round or something similar here, allowing everyone to wear their retro jerseys,” he suggested.
Essendon fans Karina Morris and Dale Hermann traveled from Darwin to attend the event in Adelaide. Morris described the atmosphere as unique, stating, “It’s wonderful to see the colors and the energy at Elder Park.” She noted the current excitement surrounding football.
Sophie Teakle, a Western Bulldogs supporter from Adelaide, expressed her delight at having multiple teams play in a single location, calling the festival in Adelaide “amazing” and praising the city’s beauty.
