Telstra Dome turns five

Austadiums • Wednesday 30th March 2005

It's party time at Telstra Dome this year, as one of Australia's premier sports and entertainment venues turns five-years-old on Tuesday, March 8.

There has been much to celebrate since the first event in 2000, when Essendon took on Port Adelaide (March 9) in the opening round of the AFL Home and Away season. Telstra Dome has played host to some magnificent sporting and entertainment spectaculars, including more than 260 AFL games, the Rugby World Cup, international cricket and soccer matches.

The state-of-the-art venue has kicked some goals in its first five years. Telstra Dome enjoyed record crowds in 2004, with the highest average attendance of any AFL venue.  On average, more than 37,000 people passed through the gates for AFL matches in 2004. All up 8.2 million footy fans have passed through the gates since the stadium opened.

"Telstra Dome endured some challenges in developing Australia's first all-weather venue but we have worked hard to win the support of sports fans," Telstra Dome CEO, Ian Collins said.

"We've enjoyed record crowds and witnessed some unbelievable sporting moments over the past five years. As the first tenant in the rejuvenated Docklands precinct, Telstra Dome has also been instrumental in bringing life to Melbourne's harbourside."

Telstra Dome has also hosted some of the biggest performers and staged some of the largest events in an indoor arena including, Robbie Williams, Bon Jovi, Barbra Streisand, Ricky Martin, Bruce Springsteen, KISS and the World Reconciliation Day concert.

All this activity makes for hungry work and in five years, Telstra Dome patrons have consumed 4,390,958 beers, eaten their way through 1,409,892 pies and 1,192,468 serves of hot chips and slurped 1,118,957 soft drinks.

Telstra Dome's 2005 event calendar is a dream line up for sports fans, boasting more than 55 AFL matches across the season, a Rugby International Test between Australia and Italy, the Johnnie Walker ICC Super Series in October, where Australia will take on the Rest of the World and the International Rules Series between Australia and Ireland. 

"Our line-up for the coming year is impressive, making us one of Australia's busiest venues for events and functions."

In honour of the milestone, Telstra Dome invites you to join in the celebrations for our birthday. Throughout 2005, there will be many special activities staged to mark Telstra Dome's five year anniversary, including the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal, Schools Day at Telstra Dome, special birthday lunches featuring football stars and celebrities, and the first match of the AFL Premiership season when the Kangaroos take on Carlton on March 26.

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It's party time at Telstra Dome this year, as one of Australia's premier sports and entertainment venues turns five-years-old on Tuesday, March 8.
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