Barossa Valley’s participation in 2025 AFL Gather Round to deliver major facility upgrades

South Australia's Barossa Valley will see its recreation and sporting facilities upgraded via joint funding of $40 million from the South Australian Government and The Barossa Council to support its role in the 2025 AFL Gather Round - expected to leave a lasting legacy for the iconic wine region.

The funding will deliver a full-scale redevelopment of Lyndoch Recreation Park exposing this prized tourist region to a huge national audience and supporting the local economy.

The South Australian 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.

The announcement of the Barossa Park project comes as more than 40 grassroots community footy clubs across South Australia are the first recipients to share in almost $2 million of funding through the new South Australian Football Facilities Fund.

The 42 clubs, representing 17% of football clubs in SA, are the recipients of the first round of grants allocated under the new funding program, a collaboration between The State Government, the AFL and SANFL.

The $8 million Fund to support the continued growth of the game is part of the legacy of AFL Gather Round for the South Australian football community.

Happy with the partnership between the South Australian Government and The Barossa Council, South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas commented “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.”

Barossa Mayor Bim Lange said this exciting joint partnership by the State Government and Council will deliver a landmark precinct less than an hour from Adelaide's CBD, bringing more visitors and tourism dollars into our regional and state economy as a major events destination.

Mayor Lange noted "this investment goes well beyond sport, unlocking opportunity for arts, culture and festivals on a local and national scale.

"The expansion also puts us ahead of the game in supporting the growth of our new community, Concordia. And of course grassroots communities are the big winners through high-quality infrastructure and open space to support participation in community life.

“We couldn't be more thrilled with the State Government's vision for the Barossa, backed by investment."

Image. Concepts for The Barossa Park Project.