Footy fans heading to South Australia for AFL Gather Round are being warned to expect an increased police presence on Victorian roads.
For the first time, Victoria Police will launch a road policing operation on Thursday to coincide with AFL Gather Round, running for five-days.
Operation Constellate will see police highly visible and enforcing on all major arterial routes and metro feeder roads between Melbourne and the South Australian border, for the duration of the event.
The police presence will also continue over the border, with South Australia Police implementing a major traffic operation on metropolitan and regional routes to Adelaide.
The coordinated traffic operations across both states will ensure a significant police presence is expected for anyone commuting to and from the major event.
Last year, AFL Gather Round attracted more than 54,000 interstate visitors to South Australia, which was an 18 per cent increase on 2024.
With the drive from Melbourne to Adelaide taking approximately eight hours, motorists making the journey are being encouraged to manage fatigue by taking regular breaks and allow plenty of extra travel time with increased traffic volumes expected.
Police will be conducting roadside alcohol and drug testing at every opportunity, with motorists warned to expect to be tested anywhere, anytime.
Speed enforcement will also be a major focus of the operation, with police urging drivers to stick to the speed limit to avoid receiving an infringement.
It comes as Victoria Police issued 7,567 infringements last weekend during Operation Nexus, a statewide road policing operation conducted over Easter.
Over a five-day period, more than 3,500 were caught speeding over the limit, 265 using their mobile phone and 110 not wearing a seatbelt.
There were also 316 drink drivers and 178 drug drivers caught, with police conducting 146,698 preliminary breath tests and 3,505 roadside drug tests.
Police are urging motorists to remain alert when travelling to South Australia this weekend, with complacency often leading to driving errors such as excessive or inappropriate speed, unsafe overtaking, failing to stop or give way, fatigue and distraction - all which have been cited as major contributing factors in this year's fatal collisions.
Operation Constellate commences at 0001 hours on Thursday 9 April and concludes at 2359 hours on Monday 13 April 2026.
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.
Quotes attributable to Road Policing Acting Superintendent, Sarah Carmichael:
"AFL Gather Round is a fantastic event that attracts visitors from around the country to South Australia, and we know many Victorians will be heading across the border this weekend to enjoy the festivities.
"With this in mind, Victoria Police this year will be implementing a new road policing operation dedicated to the event, with a major police presence on all major routes and feeder roads between Melbourne and Adelaide.
"We've also been coordinating with our partners at South Australia Police to ensure a coordinated road policing presence on both sides of the border.
"Anyone planning to make the road trip from Melbourne should expect to see a highly visible police presence all the way across to Adelaide.
"We've just come off a major road policing operation for Easter which saw over 7,500 infringements issued, and while we certainly don't want to be issuing penalties, we won't hesitate to do so if we detect drivers disregarding the road rules.
"Ultimately, we will be doing all we can to ensure all motorists can make it safely to and from the event.
"Please, drive safely and most importantly, enjoy a fantastic weekend of footy."
