AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan ‘excited’ by redevelopment of Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium

The long planned major redevelopment of Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium is underway following the Victorian Government’s confirmation of its $225 million investment in the project.

Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula and AFL Chief Executive Gillon were at the Docklands venue yesterday to inspect the start of construction, which will occur in stages over the next two years.

Two new video screens will be the first addition to the Stadium, with scoreboards set to be in place when the venue hosts its first AFL match of the season on 18th March. New themed lighting will also be added.

The new scoreboards at the Coventry and Lockett ends of the venue will be installed after the three AAMI Community Series games are played this weekend, just in time for round one of the AFL season.

Announcing the first major changes to venue the since it opened in March 2000 under the name Colonial Stadium, McLachlan said the upgrade to the AFL-owned venue will enhance the fan experience, not just inside the ground during the game, but before and after matches, with improved lighting, facilities and a push to help home teams make the AFL-owned ground feel like a home venue.

McLachlan told reporters "the Marvel Stadium upgrade represents a significant investment by the Victorian Government and by the AFL and provides a unique opportunity to revitalise our Stadium as both a world class sports and entertainment venue and a day-to-day destination for the city of Melbourne.

"20 years ago it set a benchmark, but now requires improvements to provide a modern offering. Our vision is to make Marvel Stadium and the Marvel Stadium precinct one of the best and most technologically advanced sports and entertainment venues in the world. I feel confident we'll do that.”

Commenting on the screens, he noted “we are excited about the scoreboards. I think they are going to be the largest scoreboards in the world.”

Beyond the screens, the development includes more bar and dining options within the Stadium, along with a sensory and multi-faith room while team changerooms will also get an overhaul with dedicated women’s facilities.

Outside the venue, two new plazas will enhance the arrival experience.

Town Square, located outside gates 1-3, will provide ‘an all-weather space’ as an atrium amenities hub, while City Edge on the eastern side will bring together ticketing, merchandise and food and beverage outlets.

McLachlan advised that the redevelopment at Marvel Stadium won't impact the fan experience this year but might reduce the capacity in 2023.

The Marvel Stadium redevelopment forms part of a wider agreement with the AFL that has seen the code’s Grand Final (not staged in Melbourne in the last two season) secured for the MCG until 2059, AFL matches in regional Victoria and guarantees ongoing access to Marvel Stadium for other sporting codes and events.

Meanwhile, McLachlan is confident supporters will flock back to games from the opening round of the season, despite a reluctance from Victorians to return to venues when the gates reopened in 2021.

He added “to every person who has missed football in this town and Sydney last year, we are back and we're getting on with our life. We are opening to venues in this state 100 per cent capacity. You're going to be able to participate in the game in a way you always have, bars are open, you can walk around and the footy is on.”

AFL’s Community and Schools Support
McLachlan also announced that the AFL is investing an incremental $8 million in its schools programs and an additional 25 people being put on to support volunteers and programs at grassroots level as part of a raft of initiatives to help the return of community sport.

Images: Marvel Stadium (top), a previously released concept for one of the new plazas (middle) and the concept for the new screens (below).