City Economy Set To Kick Goals At Port Adelaide's Qualifying Final

Night-time expenditure in the city is tipped to be almost 80 per cent higher than the standard Thursday evening in September when Port Adelaide takes on Geelong in this week’s Qualifying Final.

Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA)’s early estimates show night-time spend across the city and North Adelaide will be approximately $5 million—up 77 per cent on what is expected to be spent on a typical Thursday night ($2,824,899) in September.

Hotel occupancy for this Thursday is forecast to be at least 70 per cent, according to STR data.

AEDA general manager Greg Ratsch encourages South Australians and visitors alike to immerse themselves in everything the city has to offer.

“The economic impacts of this game will extend beyond the Oval—it will boost the retail and hospitality sectors,” Mr Ratsch says.

“Come into the city and go shopping beforehand, grab a bite to eat and drink pre- and post-game, and stay the night in a hotel. These sorts of well-attended events add to Adelaide as a tourism hotspot, while supporting a vibrant and liveable city.

“This compliments AEDA’s ‘See For Yourself’ destination tourism campaign designed to encourage locals to spend time and discretionary income in the city.”

Port Adelaide Football Club chief executive Matthew Richardson says Thursday’s Qualifying Final is an example of how the club is a key economic driver for South Australia.

“The Port Adelaide and Adelaide Football Clubs are the two major sporting organisations in South Australia and are also major economic contributors to the State,” Mr Richardson says.

“We are the major economic generators of the Adelaide Oval stadium economy and from that many businesses benefit more broadly.

“This Thursday night’s Qualifying Final versus Geelong at Adelaide Oval is a great example of how Port Adelaide contributes significantly to our state, beyond just the sport itself.”

The Archer Hotel venue manager Karl Cornel says the impact of the game is already being felt at the North Adelaide venue.

“We’ve seen a significant increase in pre-game bookings for meals and drinks, with patrons eager to spend time with us before heading to the match,” Mr Cornel says.

“We’re also expecting a large crowd to stay and watch the game live on our screens and we will be offering beer specials from siren to siren. “Additionally, we have made arrangements to accommodate the Socceroos supporter group that has booked in to watch Australia’s World Cup Qualifier against Bahrain.

Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison has no doubt visitors will go on to be advocates for South Australia, helping add the state to the bucket lists of many potential travellers.

“We know the importance of events, they give visitors a reason to book a trip to South Australia ‘right now’ and they boost our state’s hospitality sector from hotels to bars, restaurants and cafes,” Ms Bettison says.

“South Australia is a world-class destination and we’re showing that to the nation and the world.”

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