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South Australia’s tourism industry is looking at a significant boost from the AFL's Gather Round 2025, with the four-day event delivering a major win for all aspects of the state's visitor economy.

Hoteliers have advised of more than 10,000 rooms booked on average each night of AFL Gather Round 2025 across greater metropolitan Adelaide.

Latest data from Smith Travel Research (STR) shows that, as of 7th April, there was an average 8% increase on the average occupancy recorded at the same time out in 2024 (average occupancy for 2025 is at 89% compared to last year’s average occupancy of 81%):

• Thursday 10th April - 94% occupancy, 10,624 room nights occupied (compared to Thursday 4th April 2024 at 84% occupancy)
• Friday 11th April - 95% occupancy, 10,737 room nights occupied (compared to Friday 5th April 2024 at 85% occupancy)
• Saturday 12th April - 92% occupancy, 10,398 room nights occupied (compared to Saturday 6th April 2024 at 85% occupancy)
• Sunday 13th April - 75% occupancy, 8,477 room nights occupied (compared to Sunday 7th April 2024 at 71% occupancy)

From Thursday to Saturday, average occupancy is at 94% each night with an average of more than 10,500 rooms occupied each night.

On average 1,301 extra rooms are booked each night of the footy festival, with a total of 5,203 more rooms booked this year as compared to Gather Round 2024 - with 89% average occupancy each night, up by 8% on last year.

Forward bookings show tonight, Friday 11th April, will be the strongest night ever in Adelaide for rooms occupied, with 10,737 rooms booked across greater metropolitan Adelaide - surpassing the current record of 10,662 room nights occupied on 8th March 2025.

Encouraged by the figures, South Australian Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said "in South Australia, we host major events like nowhere else - and the tens of thousands of visitors here for AFL Gather Round 2025 are feeling that right now

"With our Adelaide hotels breaking records across the weekend, it is clear to see why we invest in major events that bring people to our state, drive dollars into our local businesses, and elevate our reputation as a must-visit destination all year round.

Another highlight of the weekend is expected to be the Norwood Food & Wine Festival headlining a full day of entertainment on Sunday.

Australian rock band Birds of Tokyo will headline a full day of entertainment, with AFL games broadcast on big screens along The Parade and inside participating venues - including a sensory area at Norwood Hoyts.

Over 70,000 people enjoyed the festival last year, which contributed to the more than $17.6 million spent in the City of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters during the 2024 AFL Gather Round weekend.

Image: AFL Gather Round at Mt Barker in 2023.

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