AFL Gather Round
AFL Gather Round 2026 kicks off again, celebrating all things Footy in South Australia over one action-packed weekend—18 teams, 9 games, and one massive Festival of Footy.
Grassroots community football is the heartbeat of our great national game and Gather Round provides SANFL with an extraordinary opportunity to achieve our vision to make footy the game loved by all South Australians.
What's happening over Gather Round in 2026 (April 9 - 12)
The famous rivalry between South Australia and Victoria is set to strengthen with the best of the SANFL and SANFLW set to clash with the Big V in a blockbuster triple-header at Glenelg’s Stratarama Stadium during Gather Round.
The SANFLW v VFLW match returns for a second year on Saturday, April 11 from 12:00pm.
The SANFL Men’s West End State team v VFL will follow the women’s match from 2:30pm.
The always-entertaining Little Heroes Slowdown: SA vs All stars will close out the day starting from 6pm.
SANFL and AFL are bringing a newly designed goal kicking competition to Gather Round.
Competitors will take 10 kicks from prescribed points in the forward 50, with a shot clock of 2.5 minutes. The competitor with the highest overall total progresses to the next round, with the potential to go all the way and compete at Gather Round.
Primary school footy players from across the State will have the opportunity of a lifetime over Gather Round as part of SANFL’s Gather Round Schools Competition.
Returning in 2026, the Gather Round Schools Competition is an expanded five-week competition, kicking off on February 23 with over 700 students across 7 venues. Players will enjoy a range of exclusive Gather Round experiences, including taking centre stage pre-game or during half-time at AFL games across Gather Round.
Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the 2026 SANFL Gather Round!
Fans and participants will have the incredible opportunity to get up close and personal with their favourite AFL players.
Join us for clinics and Captain’s Runs, where you can have a kick and share the field with the stars of the game. This is your chance to create lasting memories and connect with the legends you admire.
Clinic times coming soon!
Join us for a fantastic day at the SANFL Juniors Launch Saturday 28th March from 10am!
Kick off the season in style at the brand-new SANFL High Performance Centre. Meet your favourite AFL and SANFL players, snap a photo with the prestigious cups and enjoy player signing sessions, all while celebrating the start of an exciting new SANFL Juniors season.
It’s set to be a fantastic morning for players, families and supporters alike – we can’t wait to see you there!
This year, the annual SANFL & PLA Forum will put a spotlight on innovation and partnerships, exploring how local governments, schools, sporting organisations, planners and facility managers can work together to unlock better community outcomes.
Join us at the brand new High Performance Centre to explore how we can work together to make our spaces work harder, smarter and for more people.
2026 Gather Round Community Footy Roadshow Schedule
Tuesday March 10
Ceduna Blues Football Club
- Come and Try – All Girls, 4:30pm – 5:15pm, 5-12 year olds | Register here
- Footy Forum, 6:30pm – 9:00pm | Register here
Wednesday March 11
Ceduna Area School
Crossways Lutherean School
Karcultaby Area School
Wudinna Community Sports Centre
- Footy Clinic, 4:45pm – 5:30pm, 5 – 12 year olds | Register here
- Footy Forum, 6:30pm – 9:00pm | Register here
Thursday March 12
Lock Area School
Cummins Area School
Tumby Bay Football Club
- Footy Clinic, 4:00pm – 5:00pm, 5-12 year olds | Register here
- Footy Forum, 6:30pm – 9:00pm | Register here
Friday March 13
Hincks Avenue Primary School
Long Street Primary School
Memorial Oval Primary School
Crystal Brook Football Club
Saturday March 14
Memorial Oval:
- Female Football Carnival, 9:30am – 12:00pm, 9-12 year olds | Register here
- Footy Forum, 11:00am – 1:00pm | Register here
Monday March 16
Virginia Primary School
Xavier College Two Wells
Balaklava Football Club
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- Footy Clinic, 4:30pm – 5:15pm, 5-14 year olds | Register here
- SA Kick Off Qualifying Round
Tuesday March 17
Port Wakefield Primary School
Own Primary School
Balaklava High School
Mallala Primary School
Wednesday March 18
Swan Reach Area School
Morgan Primary School
Ramco Primary School
Waikerie Primary School
Waikerie Lutheran Primary School
Waikerie Football Club:
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- Kick and Catch, 5pm – 6pm, All ages | Register here
Thursday March 19
Karoonda Area School
Lameroo Regional Community School
Coomandook Area School
Tintinara Area School
Tintinara Oval
- Kick & Catch, 5:00pm – 6:00pm, All ages | Register here
Friday March 20
Springton Primary School
Mount Pleasant Primary School
Birdwood Primary School
Gumeracha Primary School
Mount Barker Summit Sport and Recreation Park
- Kick & Catch, 5:00pm – 6:00pm, All ages | Register here
Saturday March 21
Mt Pleasant Country Show
- 8:30am – 12:00pm
Kangarilla Football Club
- Auskick Coordinators Education Workshop: 2:00pm – 3:30pm | Register here
- Kick & Catch: 2:00pm – 3:00pm | Register here
Monday March 23
Happy Valley Primary School
Hallet Cove East Primary School
Port Noarlunga Primary School
Morphett Vale Primary School
Gather Round Schools Comp – Wirreanda Secondary School
Locations TBC
Monday March 30
Seaford Rise Primary School
Aldinga Payinthi
Mount Compass Football Club
- Kick & Catch: 5:00pm – 6:00pm
- SA Kick Off Qualifying Final: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Tuesday March 31
Strathablyn Primary School
Myponga Primary School
Yankalilla Area School
Rapid Bay Primary School
Victor Harbour Football Club:
- Walking Footy (Come & Try) 5:00pm – 6:00pm,
- All Girls Footy Clinic 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Wednesday April 1
Sunrise Christian School
Mary McKillop Primary School
Penola Primary School
Kingston Community School
Robe Foreshore
- Community Display: 4:30pm – 6:00pm
Thursday April 2
Robe Primary School
Beachport Primary School
Glenburnie Primary School
Friday April 3
Malseed Park
- West Gambier v South Gambier, 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Gather Round in 2025
In addition to the nine games of AFL football played in SA during Gather Round, SANFL, with the support of the AFL, delivered the following opportunities for our footy community:
- 16 free footy clinics, delivered at schools, SANFL and Community Clubs targeting over 3,000 participants
- The Gather Round Regional Roadshow travelled to 20 regional towns across 20 days, including the APY Lands for the first time. Two thousand footys were donated to junior clubs along the journey.
- Money can’t buy matchday experiences for 900 boys and girls across AFL matches
- The Inaugural Schools competition saw 750 primary school students participate in a 4-week competition, culminating in matches played as curtain raisers to AFL matches at Adelaide Oval and Norwood Oval during Gather Round.
- The SA Teachers Summit provided professional development to over 80 teachers, with a focus on nutrition, and integrating healthy eating habits into their curriculum alongside footy.
- Schools Day saw 450 students from nine schools attend Adelaide Oval and the Elder Park Festival Live Site to participate in clinics and other activities.
- The SANFL State Team hosted VFL for the second year of the AAMI State Game at Tanunda Recreation Park, with a U16 boys talent showcase match as a curtain raiser.
- The historic first SANFLW v VFLW State Game held at Alberton Oval under lights on Friday.
- Coach Development Workshops connected local coaches with AFL coaches.
- 14,000 SANFL Juniors invited to attend the SANFL Juniors Season Launch at Elder Park Footy Festival on Sunday.
- Inaugural Gather Round Sprint in search of the fastest community footballer, with a total prize pool of over $30,000 for players and footy clubs.
- Volunteer recognition initiative to acknowledge the great contribution of volunteers, including free AFL Gather Round tickets.
- Announcement of Round 2 Grants from the $8M South Australian Football Facilities Fund, which has supported 111 projects.
- The Gather Round Footy Forum training and education event returned, with relevant speakers and topics for community clubs, including Geelong Premiership Coach Chris Scott and Adelaide Legend Rory Sloane.
Gather Round in 2024
In addition to the nine games of AFL football played in SA during Gather Round, SANFL, with the support of the AFL, delivered the following opportunities for our footy community:
- The Gather Round Community Footy Roadshow which has travelled to more than 30 regional towns across 21 days, covering more than 4,000km. Two thousand footballs have been donated to regional clubs along the journey.
- 19 free clinics, targeting over 3,000 junior participants delivered at schools and SANFL Clubs.
- Creating half-time Auskick experiences for 800 boys and girls across AFL matches.
- Inaugural SA Teachers Summit, providing professional development for 50-plus educators, building their capacity to deliver Health and Physical Education lessons and understand how to embed Australian football across the curriculum.
- A Gather Round Footy Forum training and education event, featuring a suite of industry leaders presenting on relevant topics for community football volunteers and coaches.
- All 12,500 registered participants invited to attend the National Pharmacies SANFL Juniors season launch at the Elder Park live site on Sunday.
- Coach development workshops connecting State League and Community coaches with AFL senior and assistant coaches.
- Umpire connect events featuring a wide range of presenters including high profile AFL and AFLW umpires, AFL umpire coaches, SANFL Umpiring Coaches and Staff.
- A return of SANFL versus VFL state footy at Glenelg’s Stratarama Stadium on Saturday, with a SANFL Under 16s Showcase Match as a curtain raiser
- A female footy showcase at Prospect Oval on Sunday, featuring the first SANFLW All Stars Match and the championship-opening U16 Girls AFL National Championships match between SA and Victoria Metro.
- A showcase of SA’s elite under-age male talent with Round 3 of the SANFL U18s, as AFL Club recruiters’ attention hones in on Adelaide.
- Talking Turf event focussed on best practice turf management planning and maintenance, targeting turf professionals and local governments, presented in partnership by Adelaide Oval’s world-class turf curator Damian Hough.
- Volunteer reward and recognition initiatives including free passes to AFL Gather Round matches for local clubs and volunteers.
- Gather Round ‘Money Can’t Buy’ prizes awarded to 36 registered adult and junior player, umpire and coach participants.
Gather Round in 2023
In addition to the nine games of football played in SA during Gather Round 2023, two of which were played at Norwood Football Club, SANFL with the support of the AFL, also delivered:
- 16 free clinics with AFL and SANFL players reaching over 3000 kids
- Gather Round Giveaway competition with 6000 entries from registered football participants in the to win over 20 ‘money can’t buy’ match day experiences and prizes
- 16 AFL Captain’s Runs and player appearances
- The Gather Round Community Footy Roadshow – 21 days, 2,500km, 52 schools, 12 regional clubs, five community venues, 1600 footballs donated to clubs and 5000 fans reached right across the State.
- National Pharmacies SANFL Juniors season launch, attracting more than 2000 juniors/kids to the Festival of Footy live site in Elder Park with
- Eight Torrens University SANFL U16s and U18s matches played in front of national recruiters, showcasing SA elite boys’ talent
- Coach development workshops at SANFL venues connecting 400 community coaches with AFL head coaches.
- 50 Local Governments hosted at the inaugural Festival of Facilities forum and tour of The Summit, Mt Barker
- Community Club Development Day attended by almost 200 club and league volunteers, as well as live streamed across the nation
- Half-time Auskick experiences for approximately 800 boys and girls
- Umpire workshops and match day experiences connecting 500 community and junior umpires with elite AFL umpires
- 500 AFL Gather Round branded kits to schools in metropolitan Adelaide
- Creation of a new Ultimate Football Membership space at the David Hookes Bar in the Western Stand of Adelaide Oval for local and interstate attendees to enjoy.