The AFL in partnership with the SA Government is pleased to announce ‘Gather Round…. A Festival of Footy’ will be played across Round 4 of the 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
The matches will run from Thursday 4 April through Sunday 7 April, with the fixture of matches to be announced later in the year.
After reviewing the success that was the inaugural Gather Round in 2023, Round 4 2024 was identified to enable greater fixture flexibility and greater ability to maximise interstate travel with the dates falling in the middle weekend of school holidays for Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.
Announcing the dates early allows fans to start to book travel and accommodation ahead of the four days of matches.
Adelaide Oval will again be the centrepiece, with the regional venues and ticketing and premium event experience information to be confirmed at a later date.
Fans can register their interest in premium hospitality and experiences through the AFL’s official provider, the AFL Event Office, by visiting www.afl.com.au/eventoffice.
As the official airline of the AFL & Gather Round, Virgin Australia will again be laying on extra flights to help transport fans to the event which are available now.
To book your flight to Gather Round 2024 please visit www.virginaustralia.com
AFL and AFLW partner Accor and ALL.COM give fans access to a variety of accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets with over 10 hotels and apartments across Adelaide to choose from. Visit all.com to book, plus a special Member Rate can be unlocked by joining ALL for free.
"Gather Round 2023 created a small slice of football history – all 18 clubs in the one state at the one time for a full round of nine matches and a celebration of footy," Acting AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said.
"South Australia really turned it on. All the activity across the state, the nine matches, the footy festival and the community football engagement were some of the best days and events the AFL has ever delivered.
"It was said to me so many times that the city itself felt like a Grand Final week, multiplied by 18, because every club in the competition was part of the build-up, the energy and the delivery, and every supporter base had their moment in the sun for their particular game.
"The opportunity ahead is to build on this, and by locking it in to South Australia and today announcing the dates for 2024, we are giving everyone a longer runway to put together a bigger and even better event, and our fans certainty around booking travel and accommodation.
"On behalf of the AFL I want to thank the SA government, led by Premier Malinauskas, who committed whole-heartedly to the success of the concept are aligned with our vision to drive support for key grass roots outcomes with at regional venues in SA."
SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said “The inaugural Gather Round was a success beyond anyone’s expectations.
“The event contributed tens of millions of dollars into the state’s economy and helped fill hotels, bars and restaurants.
“The atmosphere was simply incredible and the only way to truly experience it is by being here.
“My message to footy fans across Australia is book your flights, book your accommodation and start planning your trip to South Australia because Gather Round 2024 promises to be even bigger than this year.”
The announcement today coincides with the release of documentary: Inside Gather Round: A Festival of Footy. Taking viewers inside the AFL’s inaugural Gather Round, showcasing South Australia in a four-day Festival of Footy, where all 18 clubs play in nine matches across three venues in the one state.
