The Saints will travel to South Australia as part of a four-day festival of footy, with the AFL today announcing an entire round of action is heading to the state as part of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

In a league first for the national competition, all nine AFL matches featuring all 18 clubs will be played in a single state for Premiership points.
 
It will officially be Round 5 of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season and the nine games will be scheduled across four days, running from Thursday April 13 through to Sunday April 16, with the round of matches coinciding with school holidays.

Match-ups, timings and venues will be confirmed upon release of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season fixture in late November – with Adelaide Oval to feature heavily.
 
Entry will be free for all Club and AFL Members at matches featuring their club of support, with further ticketing information will be released shortly and tickets to be on sale post the release of the fixture.
 
AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan said it was a great initiative to bring a major footy event to the state.

“We are looking forward to not only bringing nine great matches for Premiership points to South Australia, but also 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.
 
“Over the pandemic-challenged years, South Australia played an important role in the survival of our game, and we are so pleased to be able to bring this major football event into the state.

“School holidays are a great opportunity for families, and we will work with the SA Government to ensure we will have free experiences and activations at matches and around the city for all footy fans to come together.

“Our clubs, our players and coaches are excited to come together, put on a great show and engage with the local community and grassroots footy, all while showcasing the great state of South Australia."

McLachlan also said the competition would be open to move the concept around the country in future years.
 
“A round of footy all in one state is a fantastic initiative for our competition, we have had great interest from many of our partners in other states and we are open to take this concept around the country giving other states the chance to experience it.”

The 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season will be 23 matches over 24 Rounds, with each club still receiving a bye week. 
 
The fixture for the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season will be released fixture in late November / early December, post the NAB AFLW Grand Final and 2022 NAB AFL Draft on November 27 / 28.
 
Further ticketing information including premium hospitality experiences will be released post the announcement of the fixture.