AFL announces 4-day festival but don’t call it Magic Round

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The AFL has announced a Magi… ahem, ‘footy festival’ weekend for the 2023 season.

All 18 clubs will descend on South Australia in Round 5 next April, pushing the regular season out to 23 weeks – one more than previously. It will be the first time every game in a round is played in the one location.

Just don’t call it Magic Round, that’s a rugby league thing.

“It’s an open invitation to… all football fans nationally,” outgoing CEO Gillon McLachlan said at the announcement. He’s referring to what the League opts to name the ‘festival’ thing.

When is the AFL’s ‘Magic Round’?

Thursday April 13 to Sunday April 16.

What’s happening?

Just like the NRL has done in recent seasons, sending all 16 teams to Brisbane for Magic Round, the AFL is keen to ride some of the momentum and put on a similar show.

There are slightly more unique challenges for the AFL; an extra match to play and longer games. It means that the one venue can’t host every game, unlike Suncorp Stadium for the NRL.

The likely scenario will be six games at Adelaide Oval; one Thursday night, one Friday night, and double-headers on both Saturday and Sunday. The remaining three games will be taken to either suburban or regional venues.

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Interestingly, the South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said the SANFL, the state league, will have a bye round to maximise attendance.

“We are looking forward to a party-like atmosphere, filled with fan activations, family-friendly events, music, entertainment, community engagement, all designed to bring the city to life over the four days,” McLachlan said.

No such announcement was made in relation to a ‘festival round’ for the AFLW.

In fact, the AFL has copped some heat for the timing of the announcement; there has been push back from fans with the scheduling of Saturday’s AFLW Semi-finals. There’s an all-Melbourne affair at Punt Road Oval, plus the Crows host a game in Adelaide’s inner south at Unley Oval. Both finals also clash with a Matildas game.

The full fixture for season 2023 is set to be announced in the coming weeks.

This week’s episode of The Only Sports Show:

🎙️ Djokovic dethroned 🎾
🎙️ Aussie rugby results galore 🏉
🎙️ T20 World Cup wash-up 😬
🎙️ Brady’s big milestone

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Phil Prior
Phil is the editorial lead at Only Sports, bringing more than 12 years of wide-ranging sports media experience to the team. But it’s his unrivalled passion that sets him apart. He also commentates AFL on SEN Radio, plus Rugby on Stan Sport. Find Phil on LinkedIn.

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