Major upgrade planned for Ballarat's Mars Stadium ahead of Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games

The Victorian Government is allocating up to $150 million to upgrade Mars Stadium, located in the regional city of Ballarat, in preparation for the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.

These upgrades aim to enhance the spectator experience at the Stadium in the years to come, and ensure Ballarat continues to attract major events and live music.

A new athletics track will be built at the site and the stadium will be expanded to hold an additional 5,000 permanent seats, with improved accessibility access. For the Games an additional 18,000 temporary seats will be installed along a competition standard track on the existing playing field.

Mars Stadium is scheduled to host Athletics and Para Athletics, with Ballarat’s action-packed sports program to include the Marathon and Boxing.

Mountain Bike (MTB) Racing will be staged within the 60-kilometres of trails in Creswick.

The Games village location has also been locked in at the Ballarat Saleyards and will be a home-away-from-home for about 1,800 athletes and officials.

The local community will see a long-term investment in vital housing and community infrastructure in line with the Ballarat Urban 2040 core strategy.

The village will be designed in consultation with the local community and Traditional Owners, celebrating the rich culture of the Wadawurrung people and Ballarat’s attractions, experiences and people.

Ballarat will also host a major festival alongside the Commonwealth Games, making the most of the region’s vibrant festival culture. The city is already synonymous for White Night, Springfest and the FOTO Biennale and this artistic flair will be on show to the world during the Games through renowned institutions like the Art Gallery of Ballarat.

The State Government is also investing $50 million to upgrade Ballarat’s historic train station in an historically sensitive way, with passenger lifts on both platforms and a connecting pedestrian overpass, so spectators of all abilities can enjoy all that Victoria 2026 has to offer.

The venue will revert to its unbranded name - Eureka Stadium - during the Games.

For more information about the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games, visit vic.gov.au/victoria2026.