The AFL's Gather Round will stay in South Australia after another successful edition, with strong attendance and TV ratings underscoring the league's investment in the region.

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas and Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham have been outspoken in negotiations, reflecting broad interest in where Gather Round is hosted and how it’s shaped.

Geelong coach Chris Scott praised the event, noting a record crowd and calling Adelaide’s experience excellent, with special mention of the Norwood crowd at the Geelong versus West Coast game.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon highlighted solid hotel occupancy and high TV ratings for a marquee Friday match, stressing that turning games into events drives fan engagement.

Dillon signaled the league wants a balanced, well-negotiated agreement rather than a quick fix, acknowledging South Australia’s strong support and fans’ embrace of Gather Round over the past three years.

Gather Round total attendance reached 270,018, a new high, surpassing last year’s 269,506 and including a record 9,434 attendees at Norwood for Geelong’s win over West Coast.

Negotiations continue on future format, with Tasmania’s entry adding complexity; discussions will resume with South Australia’s premier after the weekend, aiming for a medium-term deal to fund infrastructure and broader growth of the game.