New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat

[LostDoggy]

Wouldn't it be great if the ground got to this point and the AFL ticked it off for one match a year (likely against low pulling opposition such as GC/GWS/Freo.

It'd be fun perhaps for the heritage round. Although with an 18,000 capacity the demand would massively outstrip supply and the club would have to levy members to book a spot for the game.

[LostDoggy]

Yeah I'm visualising that it will eventually be done similarly to Adelaide Oval's scoreboard hill. I'd say that it will likely have several rows of seating with grass behind that.

[Ghost Dog]

Funny, Mitch and Lachie go to Ballarat to do some pottery.
That's my cousin Bridgette

[Vred]

Looks like we're gonna be re-signing onto the Ballarat deal, might be going bigger as well.

https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/...T_o9lQtve8Mhr8

[jeemak]

I'm not a subscriber to The Courier and am unlikely to be.........are you able to tell us the gist of the story?

[Axe Man]

Ballarat‘s Eureka Stadium set for $150m upgrade ahead of 2026 Commonwealth Games

Ballarat has been granted a massive stadium upgrade and announced as the venue for the marathon for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Ballarat’s Eureka Stadium will be expanded with a $150m injection of State Government funding.

The upgrade will increase the number of permanent seats at the AFL venue by 5,000 on top of its current capacity of 11,000.

For the 2026 Commonwealth Games, a new athletics track will be built on the existing football field while another 18,000 temporary seats will be added for the international event.

It should make the capacity more than 30,000 for the Games.

The stadium upgrade funding will benefit a host of other sports for the long-term future.

The AFL and the A-League host games at the stadium each year with the venue also the home of the Greater Western Victoria Rebels in the NAB League and the North Ballarat Football and Cricket Clubs.

It has also hosted WBBL games and pre-season NRL and Superleague Rugby matches.

“We're investing in Eureka Stadium to ensure it’s a world-class venue not just for Victoria 2026 but for decades to come,” state Minister Commonwealth Games Delivery Jacinta Allan said.

Ballarat, as the home of acclaimed marathon runner Steve Moneghetti, has also been announced as the host venue for the marathon at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

[Topdog]

I personally liked the standing / sitting on the grass but good this should be a nice upgrade.

[Axe Man]

Some concerns about the state of Mars Stadium with the recent wet weather:

The big concern is with Mars Stadium.

This weekend the ground hosts five matches with North Ballarat taking on Bacchus Marsh on Saturday in three grades.

The next day the Greater Western Victoria Rebels play the Calder Cannons in the boys and girls.

The council said it?s likely some games might be moved.

Mars Stadium hosts an AFL game between the Western Bulldogs and GWS Giants in round 24 before also holding the Central Highlands grand final and the V-Line Cup in September.

?Later this week, we will consider if any matches planned at Mars Stadium this coming weekend can be relocated,? Mayor Hudson said.

?As of next week, we will also be laying new turf on sections of Mars Stadium and we are confident it will be in its usual elite condition for an AFL match on the final home and away round of the season.?

A decision on which games will be moved or if it will happen will be made by Friday.

Link

Given the way we played in the mud at Geelong and beat the Orange Team in the wet earlier in the season I say turn the sprinklers on!

[Mofra]

I may be wrong, but isn't it generally accepted that it has the second best surface in the competition, behind Launceston?

And as an aside, is Captain Groenewegan still the groundkeeper at Launceston?

[ledge]

I see the old Showgrounds are being demolished and I believe a sporting precinct is going to be put in.
Quite sad as it’s a history of WW training sheds etc. they are unsafe now due to no actual maintenance over the years and need to come down.
I was walking it a few weeks ago and thought it would be good for a carpark . I hope some of it is used for parking.