Eureka Stadium (Mars Stadium)

[Ratdweller]

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves, Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and Member for Eureka Michaela Settle turn the first sod on the Ballarat Major Events Precinct development.

Sports fans in Ballarat have reason to celebrate with a major step in the Ballarat Major Events Precinct underway.

Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison (representing Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos) on Friday joined City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves and Member for Eureka, Michaela Settle to officially mark the start of works at the site, made possible through the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program.

Head contractors Kane Nicholson JV are leading construction at the site, drawing on their extensive experience in delivering high quality regional projects, including the multi-award-winning Ballarat GovHub and the Bendigo Law Courts development.

Upgrades to the precinct include 5,000 new permanent seats at Mars Stadium, increasing the seated capacity to 10,000. The upgrade also includes more amenities and more food and beverage options so spectators will have an even better experience at the venue.

Works will also commence on a new athletics track and pavilion located on the former Ballarat Showgrounds site, with additional elements such as lighting, landscaping and a storage shed.

Accessibility improvements throughout the precinct will ensure anyone with mobility needs can still enjoy the venues.

The venue is a proud host of the Western Bulldogs’ AFL and AFLW teams, who will continue to play at the venue in 2025. Whilst standing room will not be available during the construction period, all of the existing 5,042 seats will remain in place for football fans.

These upgrades will boost local jobs and businesses, and attract more visitors to the Ballarat region for years to come.

The project is expected to be finished in late 2026.

For more information about the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program, visit sport.vic.gov.au/rsip.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
“The Ballarat Major Events Precinct will be a significant sporting and community hub for the people of Ballarat and the broader region.”
“I’m so excited to see the first steps in this project that will enhance the region’s capacity to host fantastic sport and entertainment events.”

Quotes attributable to City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves “Council is thrilled to see the start of works at the Ballarat Major Events Precinct and we look forward to watching this transformational project take shape over the next year.” “The Ballarat community and entire wider region will benefit immensely from this investment into a new athletics facility and Mars Stadium upgrade.”

 

[aCunningPlan]

The seating framework in place for the first stand. There will be right to nine rows of seating concreted in front of this:

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The foundations are in place, work on the second stand (between the new steel work and the goals) to erect concrete and steel framework should begin in about three weeks time.

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Was a good close game today, hard to believe north just fell away in the last quarter, finals look out of reach now.

 

[Ratdweller]

Tuesday 30th September:

 

[Millsie69]

Apologies if it was mentioned elsewhere, but will the stadium host Bulldogs home games in 2026? Or will the new stands still be under construction?

 

[Ratdweller]

Apologies if it was mentioned elsewhere, but will the stadium host Bulldogs home games in 2026? Or will the new stands still be under construction?

TBH I think that the stands could be mostly completed in time for the 2026 season, but there will be a lot of other stuff incomplete until July next year, including the athletics centre, the adjoining pathways and concourses. The standing berm on the Southern boundary will likely not be completed until the end. Gate 2 still might not be accessible until then, and the light tower #2 might not be reinstated until then. They are very well advanced with the new stands and I expect that the roofs will likely start being installed before Christmas.

The following photos were taken about 20 minutes ago. I am at the North Ballarat Sports Club ATM having a bevy.

 

[Tandy]

Why have they got the two stands seperated rather than just one continuous stand

 

[Ratdweller]

Why have they got the two stands seperated rather than just one continuous stand

To allow views to landmarks and to keep a regional feel to the ground. They wanted the stands to be pavilion like in a similar theme as the Adelaide Oval. The City Council specifically requested for them to be designed this way. They weren't keen on the stadium becoming another cookie cutter bowl or a miniature version of Kardinia Park. The grander plan is for at least another two stands to be eventually built either side of these two to increase seating to 15,000 at some point in the future. Late last year a senior Councillor was interviewed indicating that immediate future works would be focussed more on surrounding infrastructure with emphasis on roads, pedestrian access and parking. The Council are still advocating for a train platform nearby and are also studying options to get the ground lighting improved.

 

[Tandy]

To allow views to landmarks and to keep a regional feel to the ground. They wanted the stands to be pavilion like in a similar theme as the Adelaide Oval. The City Council specifically requested for them to be designed this way. They weren't keen on the stadium becoming another cookie cutter bowl or a miniature version of Kardinia Park. The grander plan is for at least another two stands to be eventually built either side of these two to increase seating to 15,000 at some point in the future. Late last year a senior Councillor was interviewed indicating that immediate future works would be focussed more on surrounding infrastructure with emphasis on roads, pedestrian access and parking. The Council are still advocating for a train platform nearby and are also studying options to get the ground lighting improved.

Thanks for that information. I drive past it a fair bit and it's all coming along. Train platform is ideal. It's a clusterf on game days ATM.

 

[Rickee]

Thanks for that information. I drive past it a fair bit and it's all coming along. Train platform is ideal. It's a clusterf on game days ATM.

I can't imagine a train line being able to go anywhere around there, given no more level crossings are allowed. And I'm not sure the government would fork out for a new train station/s that is only really needed twice a year.

A tram/light rail service (only open on event days) similar to what we have at North Port Oval feels like the best option from my perspective.

 

[Ratdweller]

I can't imagine a train line being able to go anywhere around there, given no more level crossings are allowed. And I'm not sure the government would fork out for a new train station/s that is only really needed twice a year.

A tram/light rail service (only open on event days) similar to what we have at North Port Oval feels like the best option from my perspective.

There is an Option B that not many have considered. Some PT enthusiasts and experts have discussed simply building an event platform at the end of Lexton Street (adjacent to the Nissan/MG/Dodge/Hyundai dealership) on the main Wendouree Line which is only a 400 metre walk from the stadium. This option would utilise an already very busy line and not require extra trains to be scheduled. It would utilise the regular trains traveling to and from Melbourne and Wendouree that pass through Ballarat Station. The proposal would simply need a platform with tap on and tap off points. There is plenty of vacant land there near the line to accommodate a platform. The idea of putting a station on the Maryborough Line would put the platform directly across from the stadium but it isn't feasible because that line isn't busy and would require a lot more work and would require scheduling of dedicated and scarce trains to support Mars Stadium services.

The issue of level crossings in the regions isn't like Melbourne where trains pass on many lines every five minutes in many instances. Ballarat already has ten existing level crossings of which eight are used along the Ballarat/Wendouree services. The addition of a platform on either the Wendouree or Maryborough lines won't result in any new crossings.

 

[aCunningPlan]

A basic event platform on the Wendouree line would be ideal.

 

[MauroFogheri]

Despite the fact I pass it every week day, for my sins, I can't imagine I would ever go to it; my AFL side will never play there, I love my East Point ground for the local stuff, and my local Mt Clear for a real country idyl. For such a pretty city as it is, it also comes up horrible on TV , with old Selkirks buildings on the East side,what was up till now the old showgrounds shed (but that will be just plain, tree-less athletics facilities soon) Sorry if I'm being negative, it's just unremarkable and pointless

 

[The Punter]

Despite the fact I pass it every week day, for my sins, I can't imagine I would ever go to it; my AFL side will never play there, I love my East Point ground for the local stuff, and my local Mt Clear for a real country idyl. For such a pretty city as it is, it also comes up horrible on TV , with old Selkirks buildings on the East side,what was up till now the old showgrounds shed (but that will be just plain, tree-less athletics facilities soon) Sorry if I'm being negative, it's just unremarkable and pointless

There's no getting around the fact that Mars Stadium is in one the unprettiest and un-Ballarat-est parts of Ballarat.

Ballarat is full of old, grand buildings ... but none in that part
Ballarat is full of pubs ... but none in that part
Ballarat is full of car parking ... but none in that part

 

[Tandy]

There's no getting around the fact that Mars Stadium is in one the unprettiest and un-Ballarat-est parts of Ballarat.

Ballarat is full of old, grand buildings ... but none in that part
Ballarat is full of pubs ... but none in that part
Ballarat is full of car parking ... but none in that part

I wonder did they ever consider renovating any other grounds in town? Or because this had the sporting club attached and was a VFL ground previously the never considered anything else

 

[Ratdweller]

I wonder did they ever consider renovating any other grounds in town? Or because this had the sporting club attached and was a VFL ground previously the never considered anything else

The issue there was that other grounds lacked space for expansion and accommodation of stands. Parking is another issue as it is far worse at other venues around Ballarat. The Eastern Oval is simply too small although centrally located and next to the railway station. Its capacity these days is limited to 6000 standing only. The City Oval has space to accommodate grandstands but would have been a heritage listed nightmare. The Greenies would have gone ballistic at the suggestion of cutting down its surrounding elm trees to build grandstands. Further, it is hamstrung by lack of parking, even worse than Mars Stadium. The local residents protested aggressively 15 years ago when it was first proposed to install lighting. It is also nowhere near any rail lines. 20 years ago, the idea of a greenfield stadium was proposed in Victoria Park near the old saleyards, but that got quashed very quickly.

At the end of the day Mars Stadium (or The Northern Oval) was chosen because the Council already owned the land that the oval had been established on. It was near rail lines and had the most available land for future development. The aesthetics of the current surrounds will change dramatically in the next ten years once Creswick Road is eventually widened and re-landscaped. At the public information briefing conducted in July last year, the reps from the Council and Development Victoria explained that eventually the boundary fronting Creswick Road will be pushed out toward the roadway in order to accommodate another grandstand and to reposition the light tower. There will be extensive landscaping around the new athletics centre as well as a new park that is being built to its West. The park, athletics centre and Southern boundary of the stadium will be extensively landscaped and incorporate pathways for all-abilities. These pathways will seamlessly link Gate 2 to the rear of the new stands as well as feed directly behind the new scoreboard and onto the back of the new standing hill.

It's intended that the athletics centre will be quite a showpiece in itself. The track will be a soft blue-purple colour.

Picture sourced from Wikipedia.​

The Council insisted that the design of the new grandstands had to have gaps so that the brick chimneys at Selkirks would be framed by the stands. Selkirks are an important business to Ballarat having been in that location for 145 years and represent the old industrial fabric of the area. As other stands are eventually built to the North and South of the two new stands it is proposed that there will be gaps between them too so that views of Mount Bunninyong and surrounding landscapes won't be lost completely. The Council want the ground to have a country vibe and are keen that it doesn't become another cookie cutter concrete bowl. The image below is a bit deceptive and makes the new stands look much smaller than what they really are. Another stand built to the left with a similar gap would virtually extend around to the edge of the Northern end goal posts, while another stand of the same size built to the right would extend completely behind the Southern goal posts devouring much of the remaining standing space.

​

Probably the biggest eyesore there is the former MB Johns site highlighted below in red. It is currently being held and not developed by property speculators. They knocked back a $10 million offer for the unimproved land by the Council two years ago. Council wanted to develop a new hockey centre, car parks and reserve land to the East of the Basketball Centre for future expansion of that facility. The land owners weren't have a bar of it and started doing some road works, just enough to meet their legal obligations to prevent Council from compulsorily acquiring the land, but all they did was install some drainage and then everything stopped 18 months ago. The owners simply want more money than what was offered.

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[Shipping Report]

Three games there this year right? Wouldn’t mind Freo getting a trot here. How have neutrals found the experience?

 

[kurt_kb]

I don't think that there will be games there in 2026. If there is, there might be a game late in the season. The government are adamant that the project is not to be technically finished until just before the State election. It's a political thing where the Premier wants to be seen cutting a lot of ribbons before the Nov 26 State election.

 

[Ratdweller]

From the AW Nicholson Construction website:

Works are progressing well at the Ballarat Major Events Precinct development, a Kane Constructions Pty Ltd and Nicholson Construction Joint Venture.

The redevelopment of the Ballarat Major Events Precinct is part of the Victorian Government's Regional Sports Infrastructure Program. The steel bowl structure, precast panels and subsequent precast concrete seating plats are largely complete for both Grandstand 1 and 2, with the roofing structure and lower Grandstand bowl structure to follow towards the end of the year and first quarter of 2026.

Grandstand 2 is following behind Grandstand 1, in sequence with the installation of the remaining precast concrete seating currently being completed on site. Rough in of hydraulic and electrical services also continues for the Grandstands, Athletics Pavilion and Athletics Equipment Shed. Bulk earthworks are now complete for the project, with the Field of Play subcontractor now undertaking their works across the athletics precinct.

The Athletics Clubhouse structure has commenced with ground slabs this month, with structural steel to follow towards the end of the year. Off-site fabrication for various structure and building envelope elements are ongoing. Together with our joint venture partner Kane, we look forward to providing further updates as the redevelopment progresses.

Below: These two images were taken two weeks ago before the roof framework was installed on Stand No 1.





Below: Images taken Saturday 22nd November

 

[Ratdweller]

Short video

 

[Ratdweller]

The new stands and redeveloped standing area will not be ready in time for these three games and capacity will still be limited to 5000 for each pre-season game.

 

[Ratdweller]

Mars Stadium and Regional Athletics Centre update as at 15 December 2025.

An aerial showing the progress at the stadium since construction works commenced in April. Works are ahead of schedule with major construction likely to be completed by mid-Winter 2026. Since this photo was taken major sections of the second grandstands roof has been installed. Once completed, a new recreational park will be established to the left of the Athletics Centre.

I hope that everyone had a great Christmas and I wish all Bigfooty forum contributors the very best for 2026.

 

[Ratdweller]

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I am going to make the call here and say that I don't believe that the three Community Series games in late February and early March should not go ahead at Mars Stadium. I have a few issues with these three games. Firstly, the ground is ATM nowhere near an AFL standard for spectator accommodation. It will only hold around 5000 while construction works continue. In fairness, those 5000 will be comfortable and sufficiently catered for, but it's only 5000 when it's likely that two or three times that many will want to attend. Further, there is no adequate scoreboard ATM with the existing video scoreboard removed and a new one not being installed until June. There is the question of injuries where I believe that the pre-season series should be at least two weeks before the main season to make due allowance for concussion rules prior to the commencement of the proper H&A season. But, only two weeks before this pre-season game, Mars Stadium's surface will be covered with dirt and seats while it hosts a BMX spectacular. It begs the question of what the stadium surface condition will be like only two weeks after that event when there will have been mounds of dirt and some 6000 seats placed on its surface only two weeks before three football games?

If Ballarat is to host these three games in compensation for losing matches for the 2025-26 seasons, then make up for it in 2027 when the stadium updates are completed and will offer a marvelous spectator experience. Why force Ballarat to provide a second rate spectator experience that just damages Ballarat's image and reputation. Delay these games in Ballarat for 12 months and afford the city the opportunity to put its best foot forward and showcase itself for the great city that it really is. That's just my opinion.

 

[Tandy]

Good call. Will the community series also temporarily slow down progress? Rather them just go full steam ahead

 

[Ratdweller]

Good call. Will the community series also temporarily slow down progress? Rather them just go full steam ahead

The community series won't affect ongoing construction works. They are completely fenced off and separate from the operational part of the stadium.

 

[Whats a Battle]

There's no getting around the fact that Mars Stadium is in one the unprettiest and un-Ballarat-est parts of Ballarat.

Ballarat is full of old, grand buildings ... but none in that part
Ballarat is full of pubs ... but none in that part
Ballarat is full of car parking ... but none in that part

Not to mention, near where two railway lines branch away from each other (lines to Maryborough and Ararat)...but not near a station.