Adelaide to Host AFL State of Origin in 2028

South Australia is set to welcome AFL State of Origin back to Adelaide, with Premier Peter Malinauskas announcing that Adelaide Oval will host South Australia against Victoria in early 2028. The match will mark South Australia’s return to representative football after a 28-year absence and is expected to create a major boost for the state’s sporting and visitor economy.

A major event for Adelaide

The return of AFL State of Origin is more than a football fixture. It is a significant national event that is expected to attract interstate visitors, returning South Australians, football supporters, media, corporate guests, and travelling families to Adelaide.

Adelaide Oval is likely to be at the centre of the activity, with demand extending beyond the stadium to the CBD, North Adelaide, surrounding suburbs, and areas with convenient access to public transport. Visitors may also combine the match with Adelaide’s restaurants, wine regions, festivals, beaches, and other South Australian attractions.

For short-term rental owners, this creates the potential for a concentrated period of increased booking demand. Guests attending major sporting events often prefer apartments and homes that offer more space, kitchen facilities, parking, and flexibility than a traditional hotel room.

What it means for property owners

A major event of this scale can create opportunities to:

• Increase nightly rates during peak demand periods.
• Introduce suitable minimum-stay requirements.
• Attract interstate and international visitors.
• Improve occupancy during traditionally quieter periods.
• Position properties near Adelaide Oval, the CBD, and transport routes more competitively.
• Benefit from repeat event-related demand as Adelaide’s sporting calendar continues to grow.

The key is preparation. Once the official date is announced, demand can build quickly, and owners who have their property, listing, photography, availability, and pricing strategy ready early may be better positioned to secure high-value bookings.

Event pricing must also be carefully managed. Setting rates too low can leave revenue on the table, while pricing too aggressively without considering the property’s quality, location, and guest experience can reduce booking potential. A balanced strategy should consider comparable listings, expected demand, minimum stays, cancellation settings, and the length of the wider visitor period.

How Guest Guardian can help

At Guest Guardian, we help property owners prepare for high-demand periods such as AFL State of Origin, Gather Round, LIV Golf, major festivals, and other events across South Australia.

Our short-term rental management service can help position your property to capture event demand through professional listing presentation, strategic pricing, booking management, guest communication, cleaning coordination, and ongoing property care. We monitor the market and help ensure your property is ready to perform when Adelaide’s biggest events bring visitors to the city.

With South Australia hosting South Australia against Victoria at Adelaide Oval in early 2028, now is a good time to consider how your property could benefit. If you own a home, apartment, or investment property in Adelaide, contact Guest Guardian to discuss how professional short-term rental management can help you maximise bookings and revenue while taking the day-to-day work off your hands.