Event Details

When: 9-12 April 2026
Where: The Drive

The Drive was thrilled to announce Next Door hosted by Hard Rated, your new home for live entertainment. With big screen footy action and non stop festival vibes, all right next to Adelaide Oval. Across the entire Gather Round weekend, Next Door was the place to meet, celebrate and keep the energy high between games.

On the Saturday evening ARIA Award-winning Australian indie rock band DMA’S took the stage for a live performance at 5.15pm, between the matchups at Adelaide Oval of Essendon v Melbourne and Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs, with the band keeping the Gather Round party and momentum rolling throughout a big day of footy.

From Thursday through Sunday, the stage will came alive with a rotating lineup of entertainment. The weekend kicked off on Thursday night as Dan Gorringe and Joey Lopez brought their chart topping Dan Does Footy podcast to Next Door, ahead of the sold out Adelaide v Carlton opener.

Throughout the festival, fan favourites including Marmalade and Shepmates also joined the festivities, delivering candid conversations, big laughs and plenty of footy banter. Live DJs and hosted watch parties kept the atmosphere buzzing from first bounce to final siren.

Whether you were arriving early, staying between games or celebrating your team’s win, the party was always be happening Next Door throughout the entire Gather Round weekend.