The ongoing fuel shortage could see footy fans choose not to attend the AFL’s Gather Round next weekend as the price of petrol continues to remain high.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled a four-phase plan on Monday to tackle the crisis, including halving the fuel excise – which will reduce the cost by 26.3 cents per litre, meaning a $16 reduction when filling up a 60-litre tank.

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The three editions of Gather Round have been a huge success with fans flocking from Victoria and around the country to watch all 18 teams play in Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, Norwood and the Barossa Valley.

Last year’s total attendance across the weekend was more than 269,000, but there are fears that figure could take a tip this year as the price of fuel hits fans in the hip pocket.

Tens of thousands of supporters make the drive from Melbourne and Victoria to Adelaide for Gather Round, but there are fears many may choose not to make the trip this year due to the cost of travel.

“I don’t want to be dramatic about it but I’m not going to be surprised if there’s less people in Adelaide in this particular year,” footy journalist Damian Barrett said on the Sounding Board podcast.

“And that’s going to be a problem because it’s been a beautiful experience being part of Adelaide for Gather Round for the three years.

“It’ll still be a fantastic experience and I hope everyone can still accommodate their own ways to get there. But people are talking about the decision they may need to make in a couple of weeks.”

Co-host Craig Hutchison agreed: “When you overlay the cost of living, cost of goods, cost of fuel, interest rates that are going to increase — you’ve got a bit of a perfect little mini storm.

“The thing that worries me the most is the gap between the haves and have-nots widens.” 

Hutchison added: “The AFL has done a really good job at managing ticket prices and managing that cost space. 

“Gather Round, hopefully we get a real following and crowd and it’s a real celebration. 

“You can understand with 30 per cent of people driving, that it gets a little bit more challenging for families.”

In previous years, accommodation booked out in Adelaide months before Gather Round, but this year there are still several options on Airbnb available for the weekend, with a number of properties slashing prices.

Last week it emerged club CEOs had discussed whether the fuel shortage would have an impact on the season if air travel is restricted.

But AFL CEO Andrew Dillon remains confident Gather Round would be well attended despite the price of travel and cost of living.

“People are doing it tough but what we have seen is great ticket sales for Gather Round,” he said.

“We also have a ticket return mechanism which we haven’t really seen enacted yet so, a great announcement by the PM today and I think that cutting of the excise is a welcome relief for all motorists.”

On Tuesday, the AFL announced a 48-hour flash ticket sale for the Essendon vs Melbourne game at Adelaide Oval on the Saturday afternoon.

It comes as newly re-elected South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas lobbies to keep Gather Round in Adelaide once the state’s contract for the footy extravaganza ends this year.

Tasmania is keen to poach Gather Round as a marquee event ahead of the Devils joining the AFL in 2028, but South Australia wants to stay as the exclusive host of the event.

Originally published as ‘Perfect storm’: Fuel crisis sparks concerns for AFL Gather Round