With petrol prices climbing globally and travel costs becoming a growing concern for households, the AFL has unveiled a timely offer aimed directly at fans planning to hit the road for Gather Round. The league has announced a 10 cents per litre fuel discount, giving supporters a practical reason to feel a little more optimistic ahead of one of the season’s biggest events.
The discount will be available from April 8 to April 13, covering a crucial window that includes school holidays and peak travel days for Gather Round. During this period, fans can access the saving at participating Shell Reddy Express service stations across Australia — a move designed to ease the burden for those driving long distances to South Australia.
Gather Round has quickly become one of the AFL’s most anticipated fixtures, drawing thousands of supporters from across the country into Adelaide and surrounding regions. But while the event promises a festival of football, the cost of getting there has increasingly become part of the conversation. Fuel, in particular, has been a sticking point, especially with global oil prices recently pushing above $US105 a barrel amid geopolitical tensions involving Iran.
Against that backdrop, the AFL’s latest move feels less like a promotional gimmick and more like a calculated response to real-world pressures. Fans travelling interstate — whether in groups, with family, or solo — are likely to notice the difference, particularly across longer journeys where fuel bills can quickly stack up.
Accessing the discount is straightforward. Fans simply need to download the AFL Live Official App, which is free, and activate the offer through the Shell banner within the app. Once enabled, the 10 cents per litre saving can be applied at eligible Shell Reddy Express locations. Outside of the promotional window, users can still receive an ongoing 4 cents per litre discount through the same app, adding some longer-term value beyond Gather Round.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon acknowledged the broader financial pressures facing fans, positioning the offer as part of a wider effort to keep the game accessible. “We know there are many cost-of-living pressures on families and Australians at the moment,” Dillon said, adding that the league is continuing to look at ways to make attending and enjoying footy more affordable.
The initiative has been made possible through the AFL’s partnership with Shell V-Power, with Viva Energy playing a key role in delivering the offer. For the company, the collaboration goes beyond branding — it’s about connecting with fans during moments that matter. Gather Round, with its road trips, packed stadiums, and community atmosphere, is exactly that kind of moment.
“Whether you’re road tripping to Adelaide or heading out to support your local club, we hope this discount helps more families come together and enjoy the game,” Viva Energy CEO Scott Wyatt said.
The fuel discount also arrives at a time when government measures are starting to influence petrol prices domestically. In recent days, retailers in Australia’s major cities have begun passing on the Federal Government’s 26 cents per litre fuel excise reduction. Additionally, changes agreed upon by states and territories around GST calculations on fuel are expected to deliver further savings of up to 6 cents per litre.
While these broader policy changes are helping to stabilise prices, the AFL’s targeted discount adds another layer of immediate relief — particularly for those planning travel within a tight timeframe.
There’s also a wider shift happening around affordability in the AFL ecosystem. In Victoria, public transport has been made free throughout April, cutting the cost of attending matches in Melbourne and Geelong. South Australia and Western Australia already include free public transport with AFL tickets, while New South Wales offers similar benefits for Greater Western Sydney games at Engie Stadium.
These combined efforts highlight a growing recognition that the fan experience doesn’t start at the stadium gate — it begins with the journey. Whether that journey involves a long drive across states or a quick trip across the city, reducing the cost of getting there is becoming just as important as the game itself.
For Gather Round, that matters more than ever. The concept thrives on bringing fans together from different parts of the country, creating a shared experience that extends beyond individual matches. But for many, the decision to attend often comes down to affordability.
By offering a direct saving at the pump, the AFL is addressing that concern in a simple but effective way. It may not eliminate the cost of travel entirely, but it makes the trip that little bit easier — and for many families, that can be the difference between staying home and being part of the action.
As anticipation builds for another packed Gather Round, this fuel discount is likely to be one of the more appreciated off-field announcements. It’s practical, easy to access, and tied directly to what fans actually need right now.
For more information on the offer and how to activate it, fans can visit the official AFL website.
You may also like: Auckland Rail Outage Triggers Nationwide System Failure and Travel Chaos
Make Swikblog your go-to source on Google for reliable updates, smart insights, and daily trends.
