Footy season is finally here, and in 2026, game day in Adelaide is getting a serious upgrade. There’s a new VIP experience ready to transform how fans kick things off before heading into Adelaide Oval, taking all the stress out of pre-game planning.
The elevated pre-game experience has arrived along the River Torrens at Malt Shovel Taphouse Adelaide. The venue’s brand-new VIP Footy Booths are bringing footygoers a private riverside experience with dedicated table service and a generous food and beverage offering, all set against the electric atmosphere and excitement of fans passing through the precinct into Adelaide Oval.
“The VIP Booth experience offers much more than simply booking a table,” shared Malt Shovel Taphouse Venue Manager Bianca Rudolph. “It includes a reserved premium space, food and drinks, dedicated service, and the certainty of having your spot locked in on busy game days. It takes the hassle out of organising and gives guests a more exclusive way to start their game day.”
Located right on the river, the booths offer a unique viewpoint as crowds build and excitement grows. Guests will have a front row seat, seeing fans decked out in team colours as they make their way across the footbridge, allowing the anticipation and energy to become part of the experience itself.
Instead of hustling for space, groups can settle into their own reserved booth, with everything taken care of. With food, drink tokens and dedicated table service all included, it means less time queuing and more time soaking up the atmosphere. And it’s that atmosphere that really sets this experience apart.
“There’s a real buzz on game nights. The precinct comes alive with supporters arriving, colours on show, and that shared excitement before first bounce,” said Bianca. “You can sit and watch as fans make their way across the iconic bridge to the Oval. It’s energetic and social, but the booth setting still gives groups their own space to relax and enjoy the lead-up to the match.”
The menu is relaxed and designed for sharing. Guests can expect chef-curated sharing boards packed with small plate-style dishes. The crew says to look out for the crowd-pleaser truffle Parmesan fries, which perfectly pair with a pre-game drink or two.
As for the drinks, guests will get to enjoy the Taphouse’s signature focus on craft beer and quality produce, with a lineup of award-winning brews, South Australian wines and base spirits rounding out the offering.
The package is perfect for four to six people, and includes 20 drink tokens which can be used for tap beers, house wine and base spirits, the signature sharing board with the chef’s selection of small eats, plus the Taphouse’s famous truffle Parmesan fries and dedicated table service. Each booth is $500.
Located at the end of the Adelaide Oval footbridge within the Adelaide Festival Centre precinct, the riverside venue has long been a go-to for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, while still being right in the middle of it.
Now, with the introduction of VIP Footy Booths, it’s becoming a must-visit game day destination, and with only six booths available each game, exclusivity is part of that appeal. It’s a limited offering that the team say is already shaping up to be one of the most sought-after ways to start a night at the footy.
So whether you’re meeting mates before the match or looking to elevate the entire experience, this is one pre-game plan with good food, great drinks, and one of the best views of the action before it even begins.
Gameday VIP Booths at the Taphouse
When: Every gameday at Adelaide Oval
Where: Malt Shovel Taphouse
Price: $500
For more information, click here.
