Mars Stadium to capture Ballarat ambience

Article posted by Coliseum, November 7^th, 2025

Image: City of Ballarat

Additional features for the Ballarat Major Events Precinct (Victoria, Australia) upgrades were unveiled recently bringing the precinct redevelopment into a league of its own.

‘CITY OF BALLARAT’ stated that representing the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos, the Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison joined the City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves, to inspect progress of construction and share exciting features for the project made possible through the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program.

The additional features at the Mars Stadium also include a new larger videoboard – featuring artwork designed by the local Wadawurrung artist Dr Deanne Gilson – providing a better matchday experience for the fans, additional change rooms to enable double headers and attract more events to the region and a new Southern viewing embankment for the standing room spectators capturing that unique Ballarat atmosphere.

The 11,000-capacity Eureka Stadium, known commercially as the Mars Stadium, is an oval-shaped sports stadium located in the Eureka Sports Precinct of Wendouree, 2.9 km (1.8 mi) North of the City of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.

‘CITY OF BALLARAT’ further stated that the previously announced 5,000 new permanent seats will increase the seating capacity of the venue to 10,000. Wadawurrung-inspired brickwork patterning will also feature on the back of the new 5,000 seat grandstand.

The Head Contractors Kane Nicholson Joint Venture is leading construction across the precinct. Works are already underway on the new grandstands plus the new athletics track and pavilion on the former Ballarat Showgrounds site which includes lighting, landscaping, storage facilities, and the reuse of the existing Mars Stadium videoboard.

The Kane Nicholson Joint Venture (KNJV) is a partnership between Kane Constructions and Nicholson Construction that collaborates on major projects, particularly in Victoria, Australia.

These upgrades will boost local jobs and businesses and attract more visitors to the Ballarat region for years to come.

The project is expected to be finished in late 2026.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said the project would have widespread impact on the region – “The redevelopment of the Ballarat Major Events Precinct heralds a new era of sport and entertainment for the growing Ballarat community and the broader region. Our world-class sporting precinct is primed for a huge future focused on enhancing grassroots community sport as well as providing an outstanding venue for elite sporting and entertainment events. We will ensure that visitors from near and far have a great experience in Ballarat.”

The Victorian Government is also supporting Ballarat’s Major Events Precinct through a $5 million upgrade of the Frank Bourke Oval (adjacent to the Mars Stadium) in partnership with the City of Ballarat.

For the City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves, to see the two major grandstands now taking shape at the Mars Stadium was absolutely incredible and extremely exciting for the City – “These upgrades are a fantastic win for Ballarat. They not only enhance the experience for the fans and the athletes but also strengthen our City’s reputation as a destination for major events. These new features will bring more visitors, support the local jobs and businesses and ensure Ballarat continues to shine on the national stage.”

The Victorian Government is also supporting Ballarat’s Major Events Precinct through a $5 million upgrade of the Frank Bourke Oval in partnership with the City of Ballarat.

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