6 March 2026

The official build-up to AFL Gather Round gets underway on Tuesday, March 10 when the AFL Gather Round Community Footy Roadshow kicks off at the Ceduna Blues Football Club.  

The AFL Premiership Cup, the AFLW Premiership Cup, the SANFL Thomas Seymour Hill Trophy and the SANFL Women’s League Premiership Cup will be travelling to over 30 regional towns in South Australia covering more than 5000 kilometres along the way. 

This is the fourth year that the SANFL and AFL have worked together to bring the iconic Premiership trophies to country areas to celebrate our great game.  

The three-week long Community Footy Roadshow features family-friendly activities for local communities including NAB AFL Auskick and NAB AFL Superkick clinics, Footy Forums and Come and Try days. Over two thousand Sherrin footballs will be handed out along the way.  

Following three days in Ceduna, the Community Footy Roadshow travels through Whyalla, Port Pirie, Crytal Brook, Two Wells, Virginia, Balaklava, Port Wakefield, the Riverland, Adelaide Hills, the Murray Mallee region, and the South-East, finishing in Mount Gambier on Good Friday.  

SANFL Executive General Manager Football Matt Duldig says this is the biggest instalment yet of the Footy Roadshow. 

“Grassroots football is at the heart of our great game, and we are looking forward to the Community Footy Roadshow reaching more people than ever before and bringing a slice of Gather Round to country South Australia,” said Duldig. 

“Along with showcasing the Premiership Cups, our team will hold AFL Auskick clinics and Footy Forums at schools and footy clubs along the way which is a great opportunity to bring local communities together, and to connect with the heartbeat of our clubs – the coaches, umpires and volunteers. 

“Football participation in SA soared to a record high of 70,618 players last year and SANFL is working hard to keep driving those numbers.  

“We know how important strong, sustainable footy clubs are to regional communities, and we hope the Community Roadshow provides unforgettable moments for South Aussie’s in the build-up to Gather Round,” he said.