Mars Stadium Ballarat reopens with 10,000 capacity for AFLW matches
Mars Stadium in Ballarat reopened with new grandstands that doubled seating to 10,000 capacity and a 100 square metre video scoreboard.
Western Bulldogs AFLW players played the first official match at the redeveloped ground on Saturday against St Kilda. The upgrade added two matching grandstands with an extra 5,000 seats.
A large video scoreboard was also installed. The project cost millions and was originally promised as part of Victoria's 2026 Commonwealth Games plan.
Local spending on construction supported about 700 jobs. Seventy percent of funding went to regional businesses.
The venue now features new broadcast facilities, better access and extra changerooms. Back-to-back matches can now be played on the same day.
The stadium is expected to attract other sports, concerts and major events to boost the local economy.
- 10,000
- Stadium seating capacity
- 5,000
- Extra seats added
- about 700
- Jobs supported by construction
- 70 percent
- Regional business funding share
Why it mattersBallarat now has a world-class sports venue that will attract elite competition and events, boosting tourism and local business.
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