Melbourne Arena new name for Hisense
Hisense Arena has a new name. Effectively immediately, the multipurpose indoor venue is now known as Melbourne Arena.
The agreement between Tennis Australia and the Victorian Government is in place for at least the next five years, following the end of the 10-year agreement with Hisense.
It’s the fourth name for the 10,500-seat venue, having also previously been called Vodafone Arena when it opened in 2000 as well as simply Multi Purpose Venue during the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
The announcement was made by Victorian Minister for Sports, Tourism and Major Events John Eren and the CEO of Tennis Australia Craig Tiley on Tuesday morning.
Eren said, “The new name will ensure that when all the action is beamed around the globe, there’s no mistaking that the best of the best is staged in Melbourne, the world’s sporting capital.”
Signage and other branding will be updated over the coming months.
Melbourne Arena is a popular venue with regular sell-out crowds for Melbourne United NBL matches, Vixens & Magpies Super Netball games, concerts, cycling and of course the Australian Open.
The name change forms part of the ongoing Melbourne Park redevelopment and means the Australian Open will remain in Melbourne until at least 2036.
Construction of the new eastern annexe to Rod Laver Arena and a faster retractable roof is also on track for the Australian Open 2019, in addition to a new multi-purpose 5,000-seat show court arena, as well as a new function and media centre as part of the $271.55 million stage three redevelopment.
It follows the imminent change of name for Etihad Stadium to Marvel Stadium, while elsewhere in Australia, Perth Arena will soon become RAC Arena following its first naming-rights agreement.
