2025 Gather Round heads to upgraded Lyndoch Park
The Barossa Valley is set to play a role in the 2025 AFL Gather Round, with a $40 million upgrade of the Lyndoch Recreation Park to deliver AFL-standard facilities to host matches.
The South Australian Government is partnering with The Barossa Council to deliver the jointly funded full-scale redevelopment which will leave a lasting legacy for the iconic wine region.
The State Government and The Barossa Council will each contribute $20 million, with support from Barossa District Football and Netball Club.
The Barossa Park Project will see the existing oval upgraded to meet AFL standards, and deliver a precinct fit for multiple sports at community and professional levels as well as opening up new opportunities for festivals, the arts and conferences to come to the region.
This work will include a new multi-purpose building comprising a 300-seat event space and clubrooms with commercial kitchen, multi-sport change facilities and gym.
The project also includes a mini Adelaide Oval replica bar and service area to support events and the cricket club, new netball courts, a recreation green and second oval, athletics track, shelters, a new playground and family garden, more carparks and a formalised roadway.
Located only 10 minutes from the 140-room Novotel Barossa, the Barossa Park Project will provide a significant platform for new major events, festivals, national and international sporting events.
The facility will be used year-round for local community and sporting events, including by 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.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said, “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.
“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.”
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon said, “We are thrilled the South Australian Government is investing in the redevelopment of Lyndoch Recreation Park in the Barossa, allowing us to take Gather Round 2025 there and continuing to build on the legacy of Gather Round for the community in years to come.
“One of the greatest things about Gather Round is the community spirit it invokes – illustrated this weekend with fantastic sold-out matches at boutique venues like Norwood and the Adelaide Hills.
“Nothing speaks to South Australia’s charm quite like their wine regions, so to have the opportunity to showcase the stunning Barossa in 2025 for the thousands of fans who attend Gather Round is going to be something special.”
2024 Gather Round was attended by a total of 221,853 spectators, which included two matches both at Norwood Oval and the Summit Sports Park in the Adelaide Hills, while the Adelaide Oval hosted a double-header – two of five matches held at the major stadium.
The South Australian Government had made no secret of wanting to take matches to the Barossa Valley, with venues such as Tanunda Recreation Park previously looked at by AFL officials.
The recent announcement regarding the 2025 Gather Round means the Lyndoch Recreation Park will become the 51st venue to host an AFL match.
