The 2025 AFL Gather Round will return to Norwood with two afternoon games to be played at the iconic Norwood Oval.
On Saturday 12 April reigning Premiers Brisbane will take on the Western Bulldogs and on Sunday 13 April, GWS go up against St Kilda.
The Bulldogs will make their first appearance at The Parade, while the Giants, Lions and Saints will play at the ground for the second time.
Norwood Payneham & St Peter’s Mayor Robert Bria said he Council was “very excited” to be hosting Gather Round matches at Norwood for the third year running.
“Gather Round is an amazing time for The Parade and our city more generally, bringing tourists from around the country to South Australia’s premier Mainstreet.”
“The Council thanks the AFL and State Government for keeping faith with Norwood and what we have been able to deliver over the past two Gather Rounds.”
“We understand and embrace the challenge that comes with the meeting the high expectations to contribute to an amazing sporting event,” he said.
“We also understand the enormous opportunities Gather Round provides to showcase our city and promote the local hospitality scene, especially with the Norwood Food and Wine Festival.”
Mayor Bria said the City-wide spend in the Dining and Hospitality category during the 2024 AFL Gather Round was $6.6 million, compared to $4.45 million in 2023.
“Of the $6.6 million spent, $5.7 million was visitor spend, which is people from outside of the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters,” he said.
Dining and Hospitality spending in the suburb of Norwood reached $3.7 million compared to $2.2 million in 2023. Of this figure, 88% was spent by visitors outside of the suburb.
Almost one quarter ($890,000) of $3.7m spend in Norwood came from Victorian visitors.
Mayor Bria said the announcement for 2025 AFL Gather Round caps off a great year for Norwood.
Last month, ‘‘ an online magazine with a global reach of more than 7 million people, listed Norwood as one of the 38 coolest neighbourhoods in the world, the only place in South Australian to make the list.
CreditorWatch’s August 2024 (BRI) revealed the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters had the lowest risk region for business failure in Australia, ahead of the City of Unley which came in second.
