It’s official! An extra round and a four-day festival of footy is coming to South Australia in 2023.
The AFL, in conjunction with the South Australian Government, has announced that an entire round of footy is coming to South Australia, with the addition of an extra round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season added which will see all nine matches to be played in the state, with Adelaide Oval to feature heavily.
It is a league first for the national competition, to have all nine AFL matches featuring all 18 clubs playing in a single state for Premiership points.
Taking place in Round 5 of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, the nine games will be scheduled across four days, running from Thursday April 13 through to Sunday April 16, with the round of matches coinciding with school holidays.
Entry to competing club matches will be FREE for all Club and AFL Members and further ticketing information will be released shortly, with tickets on sale post the release of the fixture.
AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan said it was a great initiative to bring a major footy event to the state.
“We are looking forward to not only bringing nine great matches for Premiership points to South Australia, but also a party-like atmosphere, filled with fan activations, family-friendly events, music, entertainment, community engagement, all designed to bring the city to life over the four days,” Mr McLachlan said.
“Over the pandemic-challenged years, South Australia played an important role in the survival of our game, and we are so pleased to be able to bring this major football event into the state. School holidays are a great opportunity for families, and we will work with the SA Government to ensure we will have free experiences and activations at matches and around the city for all footy fans to come together,” Mr McLachlan said.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said, “I am so excited South Australia has earned the right to bring together all 18 clubs to compete for Premiership points over four big days next season. I can’t wait to welcome fans from across the country who will get to witness a truly unique round of footy and also experience everything South Australia has to offer – our city, our world-class wineries and other incredible tourism assets.”
“And for South Australian footy fans, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience footy like never before. Rest assured, we are going to put on a show footy fans will never forget,” Mr Malinauskas said.
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves, Premier!
Matchups, timings and venues will be confirmed upon the release of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season fixture in late November / early December.
Further ticketing information including premium hospitality experiences will be released post the announcement of the fixture.