With just one week to go until the action kicks off in South Australia, the AFL is pleased to announce an array of free fan activities at the 2025 AFL Gather Round…A Festival of Footy, headlined by the return of the Macca’s Footy Festival.

Attracting more than 100,000 fans to the much-loved Festival last year, Elder Park will once again transform into the Macca’s Footy Festival   and will run from Thursday, April 10 to Sunday, April 13 as part of Gather Round festivities.

Opening from 10am to 10pm each day across the four-day festival, there will be free activities and entertainment for fans of all ages, offering plenty of fun with local vendors, licensed bars and food trucks, alongside the popular and iconic 150m long zip line across the River Torrens.

For the second year McDonald’s Australia will partner with the AFL to bring the Macca’s Footy Festival to life. Fans will be able to grab a Macca’s barista-made hot or iced coffee from the McCafe Cart and  get their free personalised AFL Captain Card at the Macca’s Captain Card photobooth. There will also be a Giant Golden Arches swing set, and a limited number of free mini Macca’s Sherrins given out each day.

The excitement extends to the Barossa and Norwood with free live sites outside each venue providing plenty of activities, offering from local vendors, food and beverages and big screens to watch the action. At Barossa Park, match goers will be able to enjoy the ‘Grapes and Grains’ area which will host wine bars and numerous foods from local Barossa suppliers, plus a family zone for footy lovers of all ages.

In the heart of the city fans will be able to Get In On It @ Rundle Mall with opportunities to meet their favourite AFL and AFLW players as well as snap photos in the photo booth to share and remember their Gather Round experience. A barber shop will allow fans to get their own AFL and AFLW player inspired haircuts and styles, while a giant interactive football-inspired dart board and Footy Space Invaders will allow punters to test their handball accuracy. Plus, AFLW star and GWS GIANTS player Georgia Garnett will be DJing throughout the four days.

AFL Executive General Manager Customer and Commercial Bec Haagsma said footy fans were in for an action-packed AFL Gather Round on and off the field.

“This year’s Gather Round is shaping up to be the biggest Festival of Footy yet, and the AFL is pleased to offer fans plenty of free, fun activities across the city, Norwood and Barossa so everyone can get involved in Gather Round,” Haagsma said.

“Thank you to our valued partner McDonald’s for once again supporting the Macca’s Footy Festival – we are looking forward to seeing a bumper crowd over the four days immersing themselves in all things AFL Gather Round and enjoying some of the best that South Australia has to offer.”

Mary Vrancic, McDonalds’ Senior Marketing Director said McDonald’s is proud to partner with the AFL ahead of yet another Macca’s Footy Festival.

“At Macca’s, we are passionate about creating iconic experiences for our customers, who we know have a special connection with the AFL for the moments and memories it has given them over the years,” Vrancic said.

“With special surprises, giveaways and an array of not-to-be-missed entertainment on the roster, the Macca’s Footy Festival is going to be an unmissable event for footy fans, and we can’t wait to help bring people together over a shared love of the game.”

SA Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said “The AFL Gather Round continues to showcase South Australia as the ultimate destination for major events, delivering unmatched experiences for both locals and visitors.

“With the return of the Macca’s Footy Festival and exciting additions across the state, this year’s AFL Gather Round promises to be bigger and better, driving significant economic benefits and celebrating everything we love about footy. I encourage everyone to immerse themselves in the festivities and enjoy all that South Australia has to offer during this incredible celebration.”

Fans of all ages will have plenty more to enjoy in the Macca’s Footy Festival with a Coles Healthy Kicks activity for kids with Coles giving away fruit, footballs and AFL footy pops iced desserts.

Thanks to Toyota fans can pick up a free phone charger to ensure they don’t miss a minute of Gather Round, while anyone can live their goal kicking dreams with the rebel goal kicking activation.

AFL Play will host lawn games and a guessing game with terrific prizes for young fans, and big and little kids alike can test their skills with the Chemist Warehouse jump test, goal kicking, handball target reaction test and dead hang test.

Toyota Torp The Torrens returns in 2025 with eventgoers able to see how far they can kick the footy across Adelaide’s iconic River Torrens, plus there will be plenty of opportunities for fans to meet their heroes in Macca’s Footy Festival with player appearances from all 18 clubs across the four days.

There will be a spotlight on local South Australian vendors including Staazi and Co offering their Greek vegan specialities and the ever popular Gang Gang, plus McLaren Vale’s Never Never Gin will be on offer with a new rooftop deck above the AFL Superstore.

Fans can catch all matches on big screens in the Festival, with fireworks, fire performers, local music acts, live podcasts and roving magicians. Live and Loud will also be a feature across the four days where local musical acts are judged to find the best performer for a cash prize and money can’t buy experience at the Sunday AFL match at Adelaide Oval.

The Macca’s Footy Festival will be open from 10am-10pm each day throughout Gather Round. For more information, please visit afl.com.au/gather-round/footy-festival/