Mars Stadium and City Oval the choices for this year’s Ballarat grand final

It’s home to an AFL-standard stadium yet one country league is considering playing its grand final at a rival venue. Here is what we know.

North Ballarat’s Isaac Carey in action during last year’s grand final, which was held at City Oval. Picture: Hamish Blair

Uncertainty surrounds the host venue for the grand final of a major country football league despite it being home to an AFL-standard stadium.

For the second year in a row Mars Stadium may not host the Ballarat Football Netball League grand final.

The BFNL is looking at two options to host this year’s biggest game, which could see one of the best stadiums in regional Victoria miss out again.

Mars Stadium is one option being considered but the City Oval, which hosted in 2023, is another option.

City Oval stepped in at the last minute last year after a dispute between the league and Mars Stadium management forced the reschedule.

The BFNL said in a statement at the time Mars Stadium was ‘no longer economical for us to now hold these events at this venue.’

It added an issue with one club profiting from the catering rights impacted that decision.

Mars Stadium may not hold this year’s Ballarat Football Netball League grand final. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“Each season one club is in line to host the catering rights and one the booth rights for the entirety of the finals series,” the statement said.

“Host venue clubs all agree in principle to allow the incoming club full access and rights to sell their products to members attending, without impeding on their potential takings.

“An ongoing issue with restrictions at Mars Stadium and licencing around the Sports Club has made it difficult for this year’s hosts of the booth to be able to sell and benefit from the day accordingly.

“There is a current impasse on the liquor licence of the Sports Club that is not allowing Melton South (booth) to be able to sell and access the terrace accordingly.

“The league has tried to find a suitable compromise with the (venue host) which has still yet to be obtained, leading us to consider other venues to host our Grand Finals.”

The hosting of this year’s grand final was discussed at the BFNL board members meeting on Wednesday.

It will now be put to a vote for clubs to decide their preferred venue.

Mars Stadium will host two AFL matches this year but may not host Ballarat’s biggest football match of the year. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“We’re in talks with City of Ballarat and the member clubs,” Simmonds said.

“We represent the clubs and we want to get grand final venue the clubs want.

“We’ve gone back to the clubs with some options for them to come back to the board for us to make a final decision.”

Simmonds added there were advantages and disadvantages with each venue.

“The City of Ballarat are keen to get Mars Stadium used when it is expanding,” Simmonds said.

“We’ve got to make sure the venue caters for the BFNL league as well and we’ve got netball to consider.

“City Oval has its advantages with getting the elderly in and their cars so they can sit and watch in the comfort of their cars.

“But you have the great changeroom facilities and everything with Mars Stadium.

“We’ll support the clubs’ decision.”

Major construction works are planned for Mars Stadium over the next two years.