Nine games in four days – at just three venues: AFL releases full ‘Gather Round’ details

The AFL has released the full details for its inaugural ‘Gather Round’ next year, with five of the nine matches to be held at Adelaide Oval.

The league on Friday revealed the match-ups, dates, times and venues for the Round 5 2023 South Australian footy fiesta, which will take place around the third weekend in April.

The additional round of matches — which will see no club be labelled the ‘home’ team, with match-ups listed in alphabetical order — coincides with school holidays in many parts of Australia.

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Grand Final

Dustin Martin’s Tigers will take on Callum Mills’ Swans in Gather Round 2023. Picture: Cameron SpencerSource: Getty Images

The Power-Dogs clash will be the second match of an Adelaide Oval double-header on the Saturday, with a clash between Essendon and Melbourne to start just under three hours earlier. On Sunday at the same venue, Geelong will meet with the West Coast Eagles before Collingwood and St Kilda finish off the round.

Two matches will be played at Norwood Oval — Fremantle will face the Gold Coast Suns in a Friday twilight slot before the Giants and Hawks clash on Sunday afternoon — while Adelaide Hills town Mount Barker will have a match between Brisbane and North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.

AFL fixture boss Travis Auld said the SA football festival was an exciting opportunity for the league.

“Our clubs, our players and coaches are excited to come together and put on a great show,” Auld said.

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“South Australians love their footy, and with no SANFL or metropolitan community matches that weekend, we are hoping they also come and experience what will be a great four days of celebration, fun and a true festival of footy,

“By pricing it affordably it hopefully helps entice fans from all over the country to make a trip of it and visit the state and enjoy all the activities in and around the state.”

The AFL confirmed all competing club members would get free entry to their club‘s match. Non-competing members and general public tickets will be capped at $30 for adults and $20 concession (15-18 years old), while kids (under 15) can enter for free.

Tickets will not be tiered or classified, so prices will be capped for all matches in any seat in the venue. Multi-day discounted passes will be available for all matches at the Adelaide Oval.