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Ballarat’s Mars Stadium Reopens With 10,000-Seat Upgrade - Ballarat, VIC
Smart summary
Ballarat’s redeveloped Mars Stadium has unveiled its expanded seating capacity and upgraded facilities ahead of the return of major AFLW events to the regional Victorian city.
Ballarat’s Mars Stadium has reached a major milestone with the completion of its redevelopment, unveiling a 5,000-seat expansion that increases permanent seating capacity to 10,000. The upgraded venue is preparing to welcome major sporting events again as the city strengthens its role as a regional events destination.
The redevelopment forms part of the broader Ballarat Major Events Precinct project. Works have included additional permanent seating, improved spectator facilities, new amenities and accessibility improvements. The project also includes development of a new athletics facility and supporting infrastructure around the precinct.
The stadium’s redevelopment has been taking place during 2026, meaning some regular AFL fixtures were moved away from Ballarat while construction was underway. The Western Bulldogs previously confirmed that their AFL home-and-away games would not be played at Mars Stadium during the 2026 season because of capacity restrictions associated with the redevelopment. The club is scheduled to return for AFL matches once the venue is fully operational.
The upgraded stadium is now set to host its first major event with the Western Bulldogs AFLW team scheduled to play St Kilda at Mars Stadium on Saturday, 3 October. The City of Ballarat has described the match as an important return of elite women's football to the venue.
The redevelopment has also been designed to improve the experience for spectators. Additional food and beverage facilities, upgraded amenities, improved accessibility and expanded seating are among the features being delivered through the project. Government project information says the new seating will increase the stadium’s permanent capacity from about 5,000 seats to 10,000.
The broader precinct development includes a new athletics track and pavilion, along with lighting, landscaping, storage and other supporting infrastructure. Additional change rooms and a new southern viewing embankment are also part of the expanded project scope.
For Ballarat, the reopening provides a larger venue capable of accommodating bigger sporting crowds and events. Mars Stadium has already hosted AFL, AFLW and other major sporting competitions, while the wider precinct is being developed to support community sport as well as major events.
The redevelopment is particularly significant as Ballarat continues to position itself as a major regional sporting centre. The venue’s increased capacity is expected to provide greater opportunities for football, athletics and other events, while supporting visitors and local businesses during major fixtures.
The latest milestone comes as Ballarat prepares for the AFLW match against St Kilda, giving local spectators an opportunity to experience the redeveloped stadium shortly after the completion of major construction works.
MajorStadiumBallaratEventsRedevelopment
Ballarat’s Mars Stadium has reached a major milestone with the completion of its redevelopment, unveiling a 5,000-seat expansion that increases permanent seating capacity to 10,000. The upgraded venue is preparing to welcome major sporting events again as the city strengthens its role as a regional events destination.
The redevelopment forms part of the broader Ballarat Major Events Precinct project. Works have included additional permanent seating, improved spectator facilities, new amenities and accessibility improvements. The project also includes development of a new athletics facility and supporting infrastructure around the precinct.
The stadium’s redevelopment has been taking place during 2026, meaning some regular AFL fixtures were moved away from Ballarat while construction was underway. The Western Bulldogs previously confirmed that their AFL home-and-away games would not be played at Mars Stadium during the 2026 season because of capacity restrictions associated with the redevelopment. The club is scheduled to return for AFL matches once the venue is fully operational.
The upgraded stadium is now set to host its first major event with the Western Bulldogs AFLW team scheduled to play St Kilda at Mars Stadium on Saturday, 3 October. The City of Ballarat has described the match as an important return of elite women's football to the venue.
The redevelopment has also been designed to improve the experience for spectators. Additional food and beverage facilities, upgraded amenities, improved accessibility and expanded seating are among the features being delivered through the project. Government project information says the new seating will increase the stadium’s permanent capacity from about 5,000 seats to 10,000.
The broader precinct development includes a new athletics track and pavilion, along with lighting, landscaping, storage and other supporting infrastructure. Additional change rooms and a new southern viewing embankment are also part of the expanded project scope.
For Ballarat, the reopening provides a larger venue capable of accommodating bigger sporting crowds and events. Mars Stadium has already hosted AFL, AFLW and other major sporting competitions, while the wider precinct is being developed to support community sport as well as major events.
The redevelopment is particularly significant as Ballarat continues to position itself as a major regional sporting centre. The venue’s increased capacity is expected to provide greater opportunities for football, athletics and other events, while supporting visitors and local businesses during major fixtures.
The latest milestone comes as Ballarat prepares for the AFLW match against St Kilda, giving local spectators an opportunity to experience the redeveloped stadium shortly after the completion of major construction works.
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