BEER drinkers at Adelaide’s new home of football will pay more than their interstate counterparts, with the price of many food and drink items rising since last year.

As Adelaide Oval prepares to host its historic AFL match this weekend, Port and Crows fans can expect the rising cost of dinner and drinks to hurt the hip pocket.

A family of four will pay more than $50 for four hotdogs, two beers and two soft drinks and that’s before added expenses such as transport, parking and tickets.

There’s nothing like a cold beer while watching the footy, but a cup of full-strength beer will cost you.

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A full-strength beer at Adelaide Oval will cost fans $8, up from AAMI Stadium’s price of $7.80.

That price is 90c more than it costs punters at the MCG — there, they pay just $7.10.

But the price of light- and mid-strength beer stays at $6.50 — considerably cheaper than fans pay in Melbourne.

A hotdog at Adelaide Oval is $1.50 more expensive than last year — but there’s a reason for it.

Footy fans can expect a “gourmet” version using local produce from Barossa Fine Foods. News_Image_File: Rebecca Sarti and Elise Partington sample some of the food and drinks on offer at the Adelaide Oval ahead of the Showdown. Picture: Calum Robertson

News_Module: AN SA Adelaide Oval promo

And it’s not all just pies and chips — there’s an array of healthier options on the new menu too.

Salt-and-pepper squid, pulled pork buns, beef burritos, Thai beef salad and Spanish-inspired churros with chocolate sauce are just some of the international fare on offer this year.

“At Adelaide Oval we’re offering something for all tastes and budgets and we’ve focused on providing an exciting range of foods,” Adelaide Oval’s general manager of food and beverage Adam Vonthethoff said.

“The feedback we received during the Ashes about both the quality and the range of food was overwhelmingly positive, so we’re very excited about the offering for football fans and are looking forward to ensuring people have a fantastic experience when eating at the Adelaide Oval.”

Port Adelaide supporter Rebecca Sarti, 26, of Mitcham, said she loved the idea of healthier and international food options at the revamped oval. News_Image_File: Last touches are put on the new Adelaide Oval in January. Picture: Sarah Reed

“I take pride in my health and physical appearance so I’d definitely choose the healthier options these days ... having the Thai beef salad and the Greek salads available is definitely a winner with me,” she said.

Even the high price of beer doesn’t seem to bother her.

“Once you see the surroundings (at Adelaide Oval) you’re not going to mind because you’re drinking it in a really nice place,” she said.

Her friend, Elise Partington, 24, of Wynn Vale, agreed.

“It doesn’t really bother me,” the Crows fan said, of the beer prices.

All Ms Partington’s worried about is finding a ticket to see her team take on the Power this weekend.

“If I can find a ticket, I will be there,” she said. News_Image_File: Claude the Crow with Thunda from Port Adelaide clash over the Showdown Trophy at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed

Free transport should run later for footy

FREE express bus, train and tram services ferrying footy fans to and from Adelaide Oval should run later to allow people to enjoy city life after the game, industry experts say.

They say both fans and businesses would benefit from later free Adelaide Oval Footy Express services to get more of the expected 50,000 fans to stay in the CBD following after the Showdown on Saturday night.

The Transport Department will run free express buses one-to-two hours before every Adelaide Oval football match and up to an hour after the final siren, which means fans won’t get a chance to stay in the city for long if they want a quick ride home.

Express tram and train services will run 2½ hours prior to the game and up to 1½ hours post match. Anyone with an Adelaide Oval football ticket is eligible for free travel to and from the games.

Restaurant & Catering SA Chief Executive Officer Sally Neville said she supported the decision for free transport services but believed the Transport Department could consider running both early and late free express transport services.

“There should be a wave of buses that leave early and then another wave perhaps later again for people who want to stay later,” she said.

“That way people can make their own decisions about what post-game activity they want (to do).”

A Transport Department spokesman said previous experience indicated most people chose to use public transport just before the siren or immediately after it.

He said they will endeavour to accommodate people who need express buses for as long as needed after the game — if it is busy enough.

Australian Retailers Association Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said Adelaide, like Melbourne, was “unique in the fact that its oval is so close to the city”.

He said retailers would therefore benefit from transport services that run later after games in a bid to keep people into the city for longer.

Australian Hotels Association (SA) general manager Ian Horne said the next few weeks would be “very much a learning experience” for hotel, tavern and pub owners and fans movements pre and post football matches.

“The fans (will decide) if they drive their car, take public transport, have a meal before or afterwards,” he said.