AFL FIXTURE chief Travis Auld and South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas have promised next season's inaugural 'Gather Round' will be a celebration of footy the likes of which has never been seen before.

Two double-headers at Adelaide Oval will underpin the round five fixture that was officially launched in Adelaide on Friday. 

The fixture will see six matches played at Adelaide Oval, two at Norwood Oval and one at Mount Barker's Summit Sports and Recreation Park, as all 18 clubs play in one state across four days from Thursday, April 13 to Sunday, April 16. 

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Adelaide will host Carlton in the Thursday night timeslot to get the round underway, while Richmond and Sydney will play at the same venue 24 hours later. 

The round really hots up on Saturday though, with a double-header of Essendon and Melbourne (3.40pm local time) followed by Port Adelaide hosting the Western Bulldogs at 7.20pm.

Sunday also has back-to-back matches at Adelaide Oval, with reigning premier Geelong playing West Coast (12.40pm) and Collingwood playing St Kilda (4.20pm) rounding out the festival of footy. 

Auld, the AFL's executive general manager of clubs, broadcast and fixturing, said it was an "unbelievable opportunity" for the competition.

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"Our clubs, our players and our coaches are excited to come together to put on a great show," Auld told reporters in Adelaide on Friday.

"We think we've got the right mix (of match-ups and venues) … we're really confident.

"This state has a great track record of delivering big events.

"I don't think we've changed our fixture for over 50 years so this is pretty big for us … it's not a decision we took lightly."

No SANFL or metropolitan community matches are scheduled for that weekend, which the AFL hopes will encourage fans to take part in what Auld described as "a great four days of celebration, fun and a true festival of footy."

Auld's sentiments were echoed by the South Australian Premier, who made his desire to land the rights to host the event clear from the outset.

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"This will be a weekend of footy like none that has ever come before it," Mr Malinauskas said.

"We are going to put on one hell of a show.

"This is going to a festival of footy that will be huge and it's not just about the footy, it's about the broader experience and the opportunity to enjoy every part of the state.

"It will be a real celebration that goes beyond footy itself."

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Adelaide captain Rory Sloane said the round would be an "incredible" celebration of the game in South Australia.

"I love this place, I love this city, and what South Australia has to offer. I hope everyone coming over has a chance to see how beautiful this state is," he said. 

"I think that will be the best thing about it - for Adelaide to put itself on show because it has a lot to offer.

"Not just with sport ... I hope people get out in the city and the surrounding areas like the Barossa, the Hills, the Fleurieu Peninsula. Just spend a bit of time and explore South Australia because it is a beautiful state."

All competing club members will get free entry to their club's match, while non-competing members and general public tickets are capped at a single price of $30 for adults, $20 concession (15-18 years old) and kids (under 15) are free at all matches.

Tickets go on sale Monday, December 12 via Ticketek.

The fixture for the first 15 rounds, and then rounds, match ups and venues for the remaining home and away matches will be released later this week.

Gather Round fixture - round five, 2023

Thursday, April 13
Adelaide v Carlton, Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm ACST, Seven

Friday, April 14
Fremantle v Gold Coast, Norwood Oval, 4.40pm ACST, Fox
Richmond v Sydney, Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm ACST, Seven

Saturday, April 15
Brisbane v North Melbourne, Mount Barker, Adelaide Hills, 12.40pm ACST, Fox
Essendon v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, 3.40pm ACST, Fox **
Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs, Adelaide Oval, 7.20pm ACST, Seven **

Sunday, April 16
Geelong v West Coast, Adelaide Oval, 12.40pm ACST, Fox **
Greater Western Sydney v Hawthorn, Norwood Oval, 2.50pm ACST, Seven
Collingwood v St Kilda, Adelaide Oval, 4.20pm ACST, Fox **

** = double-header match at Adelaide Oval