Designs revealed for Mars Stadium upgrade
New renders have been revealed for the next stage of the Mars Stadium upgrade in Ballarat, with works set to continue despite the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
A suite of upgrades will be delivered at the venue known non-commercially Eureka Stadium as part of the Victorian Government’s Ballarat Sports Package.
The upgrades will include 5,000 new permanent seats, raising the seated capacity to 10,000 and accessibility improvements.
New renders show two grandstands side by side each seating 2,500, on the existing grass hill and terracing opposite the main grandstand.
The spectator seating upgrades have been developed in partnership with the City of Ballarat and are consistent with its vision for the site, leaving a sustainable legacy for Ballarat while enhancing the region’s capacity to host great sport and entertainment events.
Mars Stadium was set to host athletics at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with early site works having already commenced in February 2023. In addition to the permanent seating, temporary grandstands seating 18,000 were also to be added, boosting capacity to almost 30,000.
Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews sensationally called off the 2026 Commonwealth Games last year which were to be held across regional Victoria.
Funding announced for various venues around Victoria remained however, with upgrades and new builds set to continue.
The broader Eureka Sports Precinct will also be boosted with a brand-new athletics track and pavilion for the local track and field community in and around Ballarat.
The new athletics track will be located on the land which was formerly home to the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society (BAPS) as part of Council’s long-term vision for the Eureka Sports Precinct, which follows Councils pre-existing agreement with BAPS to relocate to a new site in Mt Rowan.
The State Tourism Minister visited Eureka Stadium in Ballarat on Thursday 11th April to provide details of the next major stage of the venue's development.
The Expression of Interest for a Head Contractor to deliver the Eureka Sports Precinct upgrades has also been released in April 2024. Works are set to commence this year.
Mars Stadium currently hosts two AFL matches per season for the Western Bulldogs, with the last match on March 24 attended by 9,752 spectators.
