The AFL Gather Round 2026 is back and bigger than ever, with all 18 teams heading to South Australia for a full weekend of footy action.
Taking place across iconic venues like Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval, and Barossa Park, this festival-style round delivers wall-to-wall AFL across four massive days.
Whether you’re following your team or just keen for a huge weekend of footy, here’s the full AFL Gather Round 2026 schedule.
What is AFL Gather Round? 🗓️
Gather Round brings every AFL team together in one state for a single round of matches, creating a unique footy festival atmosphere.
Fans can expect:
- Back-to-back games across multiple venues
- Huge crowds and electric atmospheres
- A full weekend dedicated to AFL
- Matches played across Adelaide and regional South Australia
It’s one of the most exciting rounds of the AFL season — and a must-watch for any footy fan.
AFL Gather Round 2026 Fixtures (Round 5)
All times listed in local South Australia time (ACST).
| Day | Date | Match | Venue | Time |
| Thursday | Apr 9 | Adelaide Crows vs Carlton | Adelaide Oval | 7:10 PM |
| Friday | Apr 10 | Collingwood vs Fremantle | Adelaide Oval | 7:10 PM |
| Saturday | Apr 11 | North Melbourne vs Brisbane Lions | Barossa Park | 12:05 PM |
| Saturday | Apr 11 | Essendon vs Melbourne | Adelaide Oval | 12:45 PM |
| Saturday | Apr 11 | Sydney Swans vs Gold Coast Suns | Norwood Oval | 3:45 PM |
| Saturday | Apr 11 | Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs | Adelaide Oval | 7:05 PM |
| Sunday | Apr 12 | Geelong Cats vs West Coast Eagles | Norwood Oval | 12:00 PM |
| Sunday | Apr 12 | GWS Giants vs Richmond | Barossa Park | 2:45 PM |
| Sunday | Apr 12 | Port Adelaide vs St Kilda | Adelaide Oval | 6:35 PM |
Key Games to Watch 🔥
Thursday Night Opener
The round kicks off with Adelaide Crows vs Carlton at Adelaide Oval — a blockbuster start with a packed home crowd.
Friday Night Clash
Collingwood vs Fremantle headlines Friday night, bringing a huge interstate matchup under lights.
Super Saturday Footy
Saturday is stacked with four matches across three venues, including:
- Brisbane Lions in action at Barossa Park
- A big Melbourne clash at Adelaide Oval
- Prime-time showdown between Hawthorn and the Bulldogs
Sunday Night Finale
Gather Round wraps up with Port Adelaide vs St Kilda, closing out the weekend at Adelaide Oval in front of a massive crowd.
Why Gather Round is a Must-Watch Event
- 🎉 Festival-style AFL weekend
- 🏉 All 18 teams in one location
- 🍻 Perfect for watching multiple games back-to-back
- 🌏 Unique mix of city and regional venues
It’s one of the few rounds where you can enjoy non-stop AFL from Thursday to Sunday.
Watch AFL Gather Round at Prince of Wales Hotel Ipswich 🍺
No need to head to Adelaide — catch the matches live at the Prince of Wales Hotel Ipswich.
✔️ Big screens across the venue
✔️ Ice-cold beers and classic pub meals
✔️ Great atmosphere all weekend
From the Thursday night opener through to the Sunday finale, it’s the perfect place to enjoy four days of AFL action with your mates.
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