The South Australian clubs will again bookend the 2026 Gather Round fixture against the new-look Blues and Saints, while a Western Bulldogs-Hawthorn blockbuster headlines Super Saturday.

Just like in the inaugural SA festival of footy in 2023, Adelaide and Carlton will open Gather Round at Adelaide Oval on the Thursday night.

But the Blues, who were among the busiest clubs during the trade period including the departure of superstar forward Charlie Curnow, will hope to avenge their 56-point loss two years ago in enemy territory.

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Meanwhile Josh Carr will coach his first Gather Round match when Port Adelaide closes out the fixture against Ross Lyon’s beefed up Saints at the same venue on Sunday night.

St Kilda, who made a big splash this off-season including securing free agents Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni, has again been rewarded with a prime time slot. The Saints will also feature in Opening Round when they host Collingwood at the MCG in a Sunday night Labour Day game.

The Magpies have retained their Friday night Gather Round fixture in a clash with Fremantle at Adelaide Oval.

A four-game Super Saturday kicks off at Barossa Park as back-to-back premier Brisbane faces North Melbourne.

Essendon and Melbourne will meet for a second-straight year in Gather Round at Adelaide Oval, while Sydney will play Gold Coast at Norwood Oval.

That will see two of the marquee trade recruits, Swan Charlie Curnow and Sun Christian Petracca, go head-to-head.

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The Bulldogs and Hawks cap off Super Saturday from Adelaide Oval in the evening prime time slot.

To begin the Sunday card, Norwood Oval will host its second match of the round when West Coast and Geelong lock horns.

The Barossa Valley later on Sunday also holds a second contest between Richmond and GWS.

Gather Round will run from Thursday, April 9 to Sunday, April 12.

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“We are thrilled to be returning to South Australia for our third Gather Round, it truly is the best of our game and it gets bigger and better each year,” AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said.

“Gather Round has become more than a weekend of footy, it’s a celebration of community, connection, and everything we love about the game. Fans don’t want to miss a moment of it.

“Barossa Park delivered a magnificent experience last year, showcasing the best of what the region has to offer and this time around it is set to deliver another two big games.

“We know visitors travel from all over Australia to experience the buzz of Gather Round with fans not wanting to miss out and everyone wanting to be a part of it.”

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas added: “The Gather Round phenomenon continues to grow and deliver for our State.

“This fixture, the start of school holidays in South Australia and NSW, and middle of school holidays in other states, presents the perfect platform for visitors and locals alike to experience the best SA has to offer.”

2026 GATHER ROUND FIXTURE (all times AEST)

Thursday, April 9

Adelaide v Carlton, Adelaide Oval, 7.30pm

Friday, April 10

Collingwood v Fremantle, Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm

Saturday, April 11

North Melbourne v Brisbane Lions, Barossa Park, 12.35pm

Essendon v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, 1.20pm

Sydney Swans v Gold Coast Suns, Norwood Oval, 4.15pm

Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn, Adelaide Oval, 7.35pm

Sunday, April 12

West Coast Eagles v Geelong, Norwood Oval, 12.30pm

Richmond v GWS Giants, Barossa Park, 3.15pm

Port Adelaide v St Kilda, Adelaide Oval, 7.15pm