Gather Round's success has created a problem for SA Premier Peter Malinauskas, given other states are clamouring for a piece of the AFL action.
Gobsmacked by the crowd at an inner-suburban festival in Adelaide on Sunday, the premier said there is no doubt this year's edition has been more successful than the 2023 debut.
Malinauskas said there would be a bigger economic benefit than last year's $83 million, with all indicators showing improvement.
He added it sends a perfect message to the rest of the country as the state's economy improves.
But with all the success comes the risk that someone else will try to take the concept away.
"We've created a problem for ourselves in that the success of this event is now so widely known around the rest of the country, that the competition to take it off us is real," Malinauskas said.
"That's something we have to be vigilant about and we have to be willing to earn the right to continue to have this investment in our state."
There are long memories in SA, particularly with Victoria taking away the Formula One Grand Prix.
The premier was talking at the Norwood food and wine festival on The Parade, which was held in conjunction with the Richmond-St Kilda game at Norwood Oval.
"Bloody hell - I'm taken aback," Malinauskas said of the crowd.
"Every number is up. Hotels are up, what we're seeing in terms of ... bars and restaurants is up.
"And my word, Norwood food and wine festival is up.
"Undoubtedly it's exceeded last year and that was $83 million. Last year it sort of snuck up on people. This year the secret's out."
Malinauskas said the importance of hosting a round of AFL games was much broader than just the raw numbers.
"That's the whole point. The power is Gather Round isn't just the dollars that comes through the till of our economy over four days," he said.
"It's having the eyes of the nation on SA at a time when our economic trajectory is on the up and recasts the way the rest of the nation looks at our state. That's powerful beyond measure."
Asked if next year's edition will feature an anticipated game in the Barossa Valley, he replied ""We haven't able to clinch that deal just yet. But I'd say watch that space."
