South Australia’s Premier Navigates Gather Round Negotiations
South Australia’s premier, Peter Malinauskas, is working to ensure the state maintains its position in the ongoing negotiations for the 2026 Gather Round. The event has already drawn record crowds, with the latest figures showing a slight increase compared to previous years.
Malinauskas emphasized that discussions are underway regarding the term length of an agreement with the Australian Football League (AFL), as well as how an additional team might integrate into the event and whether AFLW could be involved. He highlighted his responsibility to get the deal right, stating, “I’m trying to hold the line on a few things.”
The state government reported that 270,018 fans attended the nine AFL matches held in Adelaide and the Barossa Valley during the fourth Gather Round. This figure marks a marginal increase from the 269,506 attendees in the previous year, despite challenges such as high fuel prices and rainy weather.
Malinauskas mentioned that he had conversations with AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon and AFL Commission chair Craig Drummond during his visit to Norwood on Sunday. He noted that South Australia is in a strong bargaining position due to the success of the 2026 Gather Round. However, he stressed the importance of securing the right deal rather than rushing the process.
Focus on Event Elements
Rather than focusing on the undisclosed financial sum that the state government pays the AFL to host the round, Malinauskas said the emphasis is on the elements of the event itself. “I’m trying to make sure I maximise that for the benefit of South Australia, so we’ll wait until we get it right,” he said.
There have been discussions about potential interstate versions of the Gather Round. Last week, the chair of the Sydney Swans, Andrew Pridham, mentioned that the NSW government had expressed interest in hosting a second Gather Round at the start of the season. Additionally, there have been talks about Tasmania hosting the event when its team joins the AFL in 2028.
However, Malinauskas warned against a “Gather Round lite,” suggesting it could compromise the main event. “We’re sticking to our guns on a few principles,” he said.
Future Possibilities
Tasmania Devils general manager of marketing, public affairs and social impact, Kath McCann, attended the Gather Round in Adelaide over the weekend. She raised the possibility of an AFLW Gather Round in the future, expressing her hope to see a women’s Gather Round eventually.
Hugh Dixon, who plays for Tasmania in the VFL, believes the Gather Round is here to stay in South Australia. He suggested that similar events could be held in Tasmania in the future, possibly as a heritage round. “Maybe like a heritage round or something down here could be a cool one — give everyone an opportunity to wear their cool retro jerseys or something like that,” he said.
Fans Enjoy the Experience
Essendon supporters Karina Morris and Dale Hermann traveled from Darwin to Adelaide for the weekend. Ms. Morris praised the atmosphere in Adelaide during the event, highlighting the vibrant colors and the energy at Elder Park.
Western Bulldogs supporter Sophie Teakle, from Adelaide, described the experience as “amazing.” She appreciated the opportunity for different teams to play in the same location. “It’s really great to have the festival here in Adelaide — it’s beautiful,” she said.
