The 40-year tradition of veterans gathering at Adelaide's Torrens Parade Ground for a post-march barbecue on Anzac Day will go ahead in some form, despite the RSL saying it would have to cancel the event.

Key points: The barbecue held after Adelaide's Anzac Day march was initially cancelled by RSL SA

The barbecue held after Adelaide's Anzac Day march was initially cancelled by RSL SA The organisation says it cannot continue losing money on the event

The organisation says it cannot continue losing money on the event Veterans SA and RSL sub-branch presidents are looking to host a smaller function

The RSL told members via Facebook on Friday it had cancelled the Anzac on Torrens event because it was operating at a loss.

But after a public outcry, South Australian Government agency Veterans SA today said it would make the sure the event went ahead in some form.

"We will make every effort to provide a venue for people post the dawn service and after the march in the way it has been done in the past, although it will probably be a little different to what folks have become used to," director Rob Manton said.

The event attracts thousands of veterans and supporters each year.

Mr Manton said Veterans SA was "working hard today to pull together a plan" using funding from within the agency's existing budget.

"We won't allow the day to be marred by any of this sort of thing," he said.

Yesterday, acting RSL state president Cheryl Cates said a major sponsor dropping out forced the RSL to pull out of hosting the event.

"This event has been a loss maker for the RSL for many years and the absence of a major sponsor only serves to make that loss worse," Mrs Cates said.

"Every dollar the RSL loses on an event such as this is a dollar we are unable to commit to our primary charitable objects of advocacy and welfare for service and ex-service personnel."

From 2017, commercial caterers were contracted to provide catering, a move that Mrs Cates said was "widely criticised in the ex-service community due to the increased prices necessary to ensure the contractor made a commercial return".

Previously, volunteers from groups such as Army Cadets and the Lions cooked the barbecue.

Soldiers march down King William Road on Anzac Day. ( ABC News: Dean Faulkner )

Hope smaller event could continue

Members of organisations like the Royal South Australia Regiment Association, which does not have its own clubrooms, reunite at the function every year after the Anzac Day march.

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Association secretary David Laing said he was disappointed the RSL had decided not to host the event.

"These are the people who signed up to defend our country, and the Torrens Parade Ground is their sacred site and it belongs to the people of South Australia," Mr Laing said.

"Our blood, sweat and tears went into that depot and into that program and now it belongs to the people of South Australia, so we should still have something there on Anzac Day regardless of the cost."

Mr Laing, who is also president of the Murray Bridge RSL sub-branch, said he was trying to work out if a smaller event could still be arranged at short notice.

"I've spoken to a couple of other RSL presidents in Adelaide and we're taking steps to try to get something happening at the Torrens Parade Ground," he said.

"Even if it's a reduced form of facilities for those who are marching, we're working on having something down there.

"We're looking for some sponsors now. We don't have much time, so we're working hard for something to happen."

Bipartisan support for event

State Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas said there were many ways the Government could help, and he would offer bipartisan support to keep the event going into the future.

"If an additional amount of dollars could ensure that this event continues, it could be worth it in the eyes of me and the Labor Party," Mr Malinauskas said.

"There is also the ability for the State Government to provide logistical support for these types of events; also a new sponsor could be pursued with the support of the State Government as well."

Premier Steven Marshall said he was keen to meet with the RSL to find a solution.

"We're very concerned about this announcement regarding this iconic event," he said.

"I'm very happy to sit down with the RSL to see what we can do to make sure it goes ahead this year and every year."

The first Anzac Ball will go ahead on the day after Anzac Day at the Adelaide Town Hall.