Key details
Location
Wendouree, City of Ballarat
Wadawurrung Country
Client
Sport and Recreation Victoria
Project Partners
City of Ballarat
Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
Overview
Construction is underway on the upgrades to the Ballarat Major Events Precinct as part of the Victorian Government’s Regional Sports Infrastructure Program.
The project will deliver modern, accessible and sustainable facilities to support community sport and attract major events to regional Victoria.
Upgrades include:
- 5,000 new permanent seats at Mars Stadium, increasing seated capacity to 10,000
- new changerooms and amenities under the new grandstand
- new videoboard to enhance the game-day experience
- refurbishment of the south-western standing area
- a new Ballarat Regional Athletics Centre with an athletics track, pavilion, light towers and landscaping
- accessibility improvements and new pathways throughout the precinct
- public open space and landscaping.
Sustainability features, including energy-efficient systems and new tree plantings
These upgrades will strengthen Ballarat’s position as a leading regional sports and events hub, create local jobs and deliver long-term economic benefits.
Delivered by Development Victoria on behalf of Sport and Recreation Victoria, the project is being delivered in partnership with the City of Ballarat and the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
Construction commenced in 2025 and is expected to be completed in late 2026.
For direct inquiries, please email us at BMEPComms@development.vic.gov.au.
Project outcomes
- 5,000 new permanent seats at Mars Stadium, increasing total seated capacity to 10,000
- New amenities and accessible facilities
- New videoboard and southern viewing embankment
- New synthetic athletics track and pavilion
- Light towers, storage facilities and landscaping
- New car park and pedestrian access improvements
- Improved accessible pathways and landscaping
- Water-sensitive urban design and energy-efficient systems
- Two-for-one tree replanting, increasing canopy cover and green space
- More local jobs and business opportunities through local procurement
- Enhanced precinct capacity for major sporting and entertainment events
- Public open spaces with seating, landscaping and gathering areas
Timeline
Community consultation
Demolition works
Planning and design
Construction started
Project completion
Location map
The Ballarat Major Events Precinct is located in Wendouree, just north of the Ballarat city centre.
It includes Mars Stadium and the Ballarat Showgrounds site, which will become home to the new Ballarat Regional Athletics Centre.
Community engagement
In June 2024, we invited the Ballarat community to join a series of information sessions, where the project team were available to share the designs and answer questions regarding the plans for Ballarat Major Events Precinct.
These information sessions included an online webinar and 2 drop-in sessions at Mars Stadium. We would like to thank everyone who joined us for these sessions, and for your interest in this exciting project.
Watch the online webinar on the left, or view the Community Fact Sheet and other materials under the Resources tab.
Gallery
Contact information
For more information about this project:
- Email: BMEPComms@development.vic.gov.au
- Development Victoria Reception: 03 8317 3400
Latest news
View allFAQs
Upgrades include 5,000 new permanent seats at Mars Stadium, new amenities, a new athletics centre, accessibility and sustainability improvements, and enhanced open spaces.
They will boost participation, attract major events and improve facilities for players, spectators and visitors.
Development Victoria, on behalf of Sport and Recreation Victoria, in partnership with the City of Ballarat and the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
Construction commenced in early 2025 and is expected to be completed in 2027.
Yes. The stadium will remain open for community sport, with some temporary access and parking changes.
The design includes energy-efficient lighting, water reuse systems, native landscaping, and over 300 new trees.
We’re partnering with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, embedding cultural principles of Healing Country in the design.
The Community Fact Sheet and other materials which were created to support the information sessions in June 2024 can be accessed below. The recording of the online session can be viewed on the Engagement tab.
Planning Documents
- Schedule to Clause 72.04 Incorporated Documents PDF, 164.5 kb
- Schedule to Clause 72.01 Responsible Authority For This Planning Scheme Compare PDF, 142.4 kb
- Schedule to Clause 45.12 Specific Controls Overlay Compare PDF, 122.5 kb
- Eureka Stadium Precinct Redevelopment Project Incorporated Document 2024 PDF, 313.4 kb
- Ballarat C253ball Instruction Sheet PDF, 164.6 kb
- Ballarat C253ball Explanatory Report PDF, 500.0 kb
Updated on 22 January 2026