The 2025 AFL Gather Round will embrace the Barossa Valley, as the State Government announce a collaboration with The Barossa Council to embark on a groundbreaking $40 million upgrade to facilities.
The investment will transform the Lyndoch Recreation Park into a premier destination, showcasing the region’s allure to a national audience while bolstering the local economy.
Contributing equally, the State Government and The Barossa Council will each allocate $20 million, further supplemented by backing from the Barossa District Football and Netball Club.
Dubbed the Barossa Park Project, the initiative aims to elevate the existing oval to AFL standards, creating a versatile precinct catering to both community and professional sports. It will also unlock avenues for cultural events, artistic endeavours, and conferences within the region.
Central to the project is the construction of a state-of-the-art multi-purpose building, encompassing a 300-seat event space, clubrooms equipped with a commercial kitchen, versatile sport-specific facilities, and a gymnasium.
Additionally, plans include replicating a mini Adelaide Oval bar and service area to accommodate various events and support the local cricket club, along with the establishment of new netball courts, a recreation green, a secondary oval, an athletics track, shelters, a playground, a family garden, expanded parking, and enhanced roadways.
Positioned a mere 10-minute drive from the 140-room Novotel Barossa, the Barossa Park Project is poised to serve as a prominent venue for major events, festivals, and sporting competitions of national and international stature.
Beyond these grand occasions, the facility will cater to year-round community engagement, hosting local sporting fixtures for entities such as the Barossa District Football and Netball Club, Lyndoch Cricket Club, Lyndoch Tennis Club, Lyndoch Bowling Club, Little Athletics Lyndoch & Districts, and the Barossa Valley Pigeon Racing Club.
“I’m thrilled we’re able to play host to the AFL Gather Round in the Barossa next year and look forward to visitors and locals alike enjoying this premier tourist destination while getting along to the footy,” Premier Peter Malinauskas said.
“With the Barossa acknowledged as one of the five most-recognised wine regions in the world, the wine and food experience as well as proximity to the CBD the region was a logical choice to be part of the 2025 AFL Gather Round.
“However, it is crucial this investment sees community dividends for decades to come and I look forward to partnering with The Barossa Council to deliver this competition-level multi-use precinct that will benefit both the local sporting community and, also, tourism and visitation outcomes for the Barossa region.”
The announcement of the Barossa Park project comes as more than 40 grassroots community footy clubs across South Australia are the first recipients to share in almost $2 million of funding through the new South Australian Football Facilities Fund.
The 42 clubs, representing 17 per cent of football clubs in SA, are the recipients of the first round of grants allocated under the new funding program, a collaboration between The State Government, the AFL and SANFL.
The $8 million Fund to support the continued growth of the game is part of the legacy of AFL Gather Round for the South Australian football community.
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