New additions to this year’s Gather Round in Mount Barker will entice even more footy fans to head to the Hills, including a free two-day community event ‘Gather in the Hills – Hahndorf Footy Festival’ in the main street of Hahndorf and a new AFL Family Zone at the grounds at Mount Barker.

The popular precinct, The Terrace, will return to Mount Barker’s Summit Sport & Recreation Park in 2024 with an expanded footprint to showcase even more of Adelaide Hills’ food, wines, and spirits.

The new and improved footy festivities coincide with the sold-out back-to-back AFL matches in Mount Barker, West Coast Eagles v Sydney Swans on the Saturday and Gold Coast Suns v GWS Giants on the Sunday.

As the countdown officially begins to the return of Gather Round to South Australia, the State Government together with the AFL has unveiled the official 2024 AFL Gather Round Sherrin. Taking inspiration from the thousands of fans who travel to South Australia for Gather Round each year, the football features badges, and postal stamps from all three host venues – Adelaide Oval, Norwood, and Mount Barker.

New and expanded footy festivities in the Adelaide Hills – as well as an additional AFL match in Mount Barker this year – are expected to boost visitation and expenditure in the region. Last year’s Gather Round generated more than 25,000 visitor nights outside of Adelaide and the single match in Mount Barker helped inject $2 million into the Adelaide Hills’ economy alone.

On Saturday 6 April and Sunday 7 April, Gather in the Hills – Hahndorf Footy Festival will be held at the Hahndorf Academy lawns, showcasing the charm of the iconic Adelaide Hills’ town and driving footy fans into local businesses. It will offer a program of community arts, live music, free family activities, and player appearances, all located in the heart of one of Australia’s premier tourism, cultural and hospitality destinations.

Some of the game’s littlest fans will enjoy a brand-new AFL Family Zone activation at the Summit Sport and Recreation Park which includes a mini football oval to play NAB AFL Auskick, footy skills games, mascot meet and greets and a dedicated chill zone for when the kids need to take a break.

Musicians appearing at Gather in the Hills – Hahndorf Footy Festival include Suedan, the Makeshift Two, and The Dirty Little Roots Band.

There will also be an opportunity to take part in the creation of an amazing footy themed mural with local artist Taylor Summers (Taylr Jay) as well as enjoy roving performers, wood oven pizza, cheese platters, and wine by Wolf Blass.

In addition, there’ll be giant screens to watch the Gather Round games and appearances from Port Power players on Sunday from 11am to 12pm, along with appearances from other teams at the Summit Sport and Recreation Park and Pop-Up Park during the festival of footy.

Find out more at www.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/discover/afl-gather-round/activities.