Official AFL Gather Round Business Lunch returns
Presented by the AFL and South Australian Business Chamber, the only official AFL business lunch for footy lovers in SA returns on Friday, April 11.
The Official AFL Gather Round Business Lunch is both an opportunity to celebrate footy and a chance to get in some serious business networking during a week when the local mood is positively buoyant.
Presented by the AFL and South Australian Business Chamber, the lunch brings together the AFL industry and the wider South Australian business community.
This year’s speakers are AFL CEO Andrew Dillon, Premier Peter Malinauskas and AFL talent and media personalities Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloan, Kate McCarthy and Nathan Buckley.
South Australian Business Chamber CEO Andrew Kay said events that draw national attention, like Gather Round, are important for the state brand.
“There is the obvious tourism aspect of attracting visitors and introducing them to our world-class attractions and enviable lifestyle, but there is a bigger message around our capacity to deliver on the big stage and our place in the overall Australian economy,” he said.
“That message flows on to the business leaders who come over for the game, many of whom are taking the opportunity to use the visit to talk about investment and commercial opportunities with our local businesses.
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“The economic impact is real – $91 million last year – and we can’t underestimate the importance of interstate spend taking the pressure off the local economy.”
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said club and AFL corporate partners have “fully embraced the concept” with those travelling from interstate enjoying the state’s hospitality, events and business networking.
“Gather Round truly is the best of our game [with] the city abuzz with all 18 Clubs’ footy colours as thousands of interstate fans make the trip into South Australia,” Dillon said.
“This year we will play matches at Barossa Park for the first time in the beautiful Barossa Valley – a jewel in South Australia’s crown.”
Jointly funded by the State Government and The Barossa Council, the $45.7 upgrade to the Lyndoch Oval to meet AFL standards is expected to bring other large events to the region.
During Gather Round it will host around 10,000 AFL fans.
“The vines will make for an incredible picturesque backdrop for those two footy matches and the Barossa Precinct will have some incredible activations for fans to enjoy while visiting the region,” Dillon said.
Kay is optimistic that benefits of Gather Round can flow to more businesses and councils.
“As we better understand the logistics of hosting Gather Round, there is an opportunity for greater co-operation between local councils and business in the same way we have seen the Tour Down Under activate main streets,” he said.
“SANFL grounds can be the base for visiting teams, linked to a main street activation holding food and wine fairs.
“With a bit of planning, this could be rolled our right across the metropolitan area.”
Ticket bundles are available for the Official Gather Round Business Lunch and highly anticipated sold-out games of Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval and Richmond vs Fremantle at Barossa Park.
Members of the South Australian Business Chamber receive a discount on lunch tickets.
The Official AFL Gather Round Business Lunch is on Friday, 11 April 2025 at Adelaide Convention Centre.
