Gather Round 2026: dates, ticket windows, fixture highlights and travel tips for Adelaide’s festival of footy

Gather Round 2026 is locked in for Thursday 9 April to Sunday 12 April, with all nine AFL matches staged across South Australia. Fresh updates confirm a mid-week on-sale: a 24-hour priority window for Club and AFL members opens on Wednesday, 3 December, with a general public release to follow after the member window. Interest is already surging on the back of early fixture details and a return to regional venues that proved crowd favourites.

Gather Round 2026 dates and venues

The 2026 edition again centralises the competition in and around Adelaide across four days. The venue mix is set to balance the marquee atmosphere of the city with the charm of regional SA:

• Adelaide Oval — the weekend’s anchor stadium with five matches.

• Norwood Oval — an intimate suburban cauldron on The Parade.

• Barossa Park — the event’s regional showcase amid wine country.

The timing aligns with school holidays in several states and falls the week after Easter, a combination that historically boosts out-of-state travel and multi-day attendance.

How to get Gather Round 2026 tickets

• Member priority (24 hours): Opens Wednesday, 3 December. Eligible Club and AFL members receive first access during this window.

• General public: Follows after the member period. Expect popular match-ups and preferred seating categories to move quickly.

• Tips to improve your chances:

  • Be logged into your ticketing account early and have member numbers ready.

  • If your first choice sells fast, search by venue and day to uncover adjacent bays or later sessions.

  • Consider multi-game plans that pair a marquee Adelaide Oval night match with a Norwood or Barossa daytime game.

Fixture highlights fans are circling

Recent fixture releases and club updates point to a compelling spread across the four days, including:

• Opening night at Adelaide Oval (Thu, 9 Apr): The Crows are slated to launch the festival in front of a full house.

• Prime-time Friday (10 Apr): A heavyweight clash under lights at Adelaide Oval to set the tone for the weekend.

• Saturday split across three venues (11 Apr):

  • A lunchtime hit-out in the Barossa brings top-level footy back to wine country.

  • A blockbuster at Adelaide Oval in the early afternoon slot.

  • A high-tempo twilight fixture at Norwood, followed by a Saturday-night return to Adelaide Oval.

• Sunday showpieces (12 Apr):

  • A family-friendly regional game in the afternoon.

  • A closing Adelaide Oval duel in the evening to cap the round.

As with any major event, minor adjustments can occur closer to the date; treat the above as your planning scaffold and check final ticket listings at purchase.

What’s new and notable in 2026

• Barossa return: After strong feedback, the regional leg is back, giving fans a unique pairing of footy and cellar-door experiences.

• Standalone tickets for double-header days: Sessions are ticketed individually, allowing supporters to tailor their day without committing to two consecutive matches.

• Travel-aligned scheduling: Spacing across time slots helps interstate visitors combine multiple games with sightseeing.

Travel playbook: make the most of your weekend

Base yourself smartly:

• CBD/Adelaide Oval walkers: Stay near the riverbank for quick stadium access.

• Norwood-bound: Look along The Parade for cafés and easy strolls to the ground.

• Barossa day-trippers: Book transport early; allow time for traffic and pre-game atmosphere.

Build your itinerary:

• Two-stadium Saturday: Start in the Barossa for a daytime match, return for a twilight or night game in the city.

• Norwood + city combo: Catch the suburban energy at Norwood before heading to a late fixture at Adelaide Oval.

• Family-first Sunday: Opt for the regional afternoon slot, then decide on the evening closer depending on younger fans’ bedtimes.

Dining and downtime:

• Reserve restaurants ahead of high-demand windows (post-game peaks are real). In between sessions, the Central Market, North Terrace precinct, and Barossa cellar doors make for easy wins.

Key reminders for Gather Round 2026

• Dates: Thursday 9 April – Sunday 12 April, 2026.

• Member on-sale: Wednesday, 3 December (24-hour priority).

• General public: Follows the member window.

• Venues: Adelaide Oval (city), Norwood Oval (suburban), Barossa Park (regional).

• Plan early: Accommodation, car hire, and regional transport book out quickly around festival weekends.

Gather Round 2026 blends big-stadium theatre with boutique footy experiences in classic South Australian settings. With tickets opening this week and a four-day slate designed for stadium-hopping, fans who organise early will have the best shot at stitching together their ideal festival of footy.