The Barossa Valley is ready to become a hub of sporting and community events following the completion of the $45.7 million Barossa Park. This new sporting precinct is a collaboration between the State Government and The Barossa Council, and stands ready to host major events, starting with the 2025 AFL Gather Round.
The new Barossa Park includes an array of facilities designed to cater to tailored sports and community activities. Barossa Park features a multipurpose building with a 350-seat event space, modern clubrooms, a commercial kitchen, and multi-sport change rooms. Additionally, the venue has a gym, a mini-replica of Adelaide Oval at the bar area, new netball courts, an athletics track, and much more. It also offers increased parking and better road access.
The region is expecting to attract over 10,000 AFL fans when North Melbourne faces off against Gold Coast Suns on April 12th, followed by a match between Richmond and Fremantle the next day. In preparation, the AFL has begun work on site to ensure everything is in place and ready for the upcoming festivities.
Beyond Gather Round, Barossa Park will be a brilliant venue for various activities and events that will provide significant tourism and economic benefits to the region. Estimates suggest the venue could add 18,000 visitor stays annually in the Barossa.
Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia shared, “This landmark upgrade and new precinct will live on well beyond next month’s AFL Gather Round and I’m excited to see how it will benefit the community, and our great state, for years to come.
“My government was determined to include the Barossa in the AFL Gather Round experience, and thanks to this seriously impressive development, that is now of course a reality.
“I take my hat off to and thank all who were involved in delivering this amazing facility, in record time, and encourage locals and visitors alike to come and experience the magic of the Barossa region – during, before and after Gather Round 2025.”
Additionally, over 15,000 plants were sourced from Barossa Bushgardens to landscape the area, and local tradespeople, constituting over 97 per cent of suppliers, were employed in the construction. This injected approximately $4 million into the regional economy.
Following the AFL Gather Round, a community open day is scheduled for early May, allowing locals and visitors to explore the new facilities. The State Government is also introducing ‘Bounce Around the Barossa’ – a complimentary travel service for ticketholders. This hop-on, hop-off service will connect major towns within the Barossa region, such as Nuriootpa, Tanunda, Angaston, and Gawler.
Barossa Mayor, Bim Lange said, “I couldn’t be prouder of what has been achieved at this site in 11 short months in partnership with the Malinauskas Government, which will be a game-changer for our community and the regional economy.
“We couldn’t have scripted a better outcome for the Barossa, with two AFL games, A Festival of Footy and tens of thousands of footy fans enjoying the best the Barossa has to offer.
What’s more, after the final whistle blows, our community will be the custodians of this marquee venue, ensuring recreation, social and tourism benefits for generations to come.”
During Gather Round public transport options will be expanded to accommodate visitors, including additional train services and shuttle buses, all free of charge with a valid game-day ticket. This makes sure attendees can enjoy the games and explore the region without the hassle of transportation logistics.
Barossa Park is not just a win for local sports enthusiasts but a significant addition to the region’s infrastructure, promoting both economic growth and community wellbeing.
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