AFL season making its mark on hospitality and entertainment industry

Hospitality and entertainment spend in the city on AFL home games increased by millions on match days, new Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA) figures show.

According to data sourced from Spendmapp by Geografia, dining and entertainment spend increased by up to as much as 122 per cent on some match days.

It comes as Adelaide pubs and restaurants prepare for a “substantial” boost in trade during the 2023 season, with venues such as The District, Sean’s Kitchen and Sol Bar and Restaurant at SkyCity Adelaide preparing for a 60 per cent increase in turnover on weekend games.

The dining and entertainment category incorporates cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs, as well as cinemas, casinos and amusement parks, according to Spendmapp.

AEDA Acting Managing Director Greg Ratsch said the impact of sporting and other major events bring significant economic benefits to the city.

More games scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays, as well as the upcoming AFL Gather Round, are expected to drive further spend across the city.

“Game days and major events bring thousands of people to the city who choose to eat, drink and shop. Importantly they activate the city during the winter period when spending activity and hotel bookings are usually lower,” Mr Ratsch said.

In 2022, $176 million was spent on hospitality and entertainment in the city on the 22 game days across the season.

About $95.7 million was spent on Adelaide Football Club home games, while $80.1 million was spent at Power games.

AEDA data showed that spending was higher when games were scheduled on either Fridays or Saturdays.

The fourth highest day for spend in 2022 was the day of the Port Adelaide v Adelaide Football Club Showdown, on 20 August, at $10.4 million. This compares with an average daily spend of $4.7 million in August.

Mr Ratsch said he looked forward to seeing the impact that next month’s AFL Gather Round will have on the city’s hospitality, entertainment and visitor economy.

“The significant investment in Adelaide Oval has also supported the State’s successful bid for AFL Gather Round, and we look forward to the benefits it will bring for restaurant operators, hotels and traders across the city.”

At least 80 per cent of Adelaide’s 10,255 hotel rooms in Greater Adelaide are already booked for the Saturday night of the AFL Gather Round, according to State Government figures.

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said: “This is exactly why we invest in new and exciting major events, which bring tens of thousands of visitors from interstate and overseas and help drive the recovery of our state’s economy.

Adelaide will host all nine games in the round from Thursday, April 13 to Sunday, April 16.