Ballarat’s Eureka Stadium set for $150m upgrade ahead of 2026 Commonwealth Games

The plans for the redevelopment of Eureka Stadium ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games have been revealed. See them here.

Ballarat’s sporting landscape is set to change forever.

The regional centre is set to benefit from a $150m upgrade to its centrepiece venue, Eureka Stadium, ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The upgrade will see permanent capacity grow by 5000, up from its current limit of about 11,000 patrons.

Come the showpiece event in four years’ time, the facility will become home to athletics and para-athletic events with a track to be built on the existing field.

Officials revealed an extra 18,000 temporary seats would be added before the Games boosting capacity to beyond 30,000 for the high profile athletics events.

City of Ballarat mayor Daniel Moloney said the stand, which is a current AFL venue, would deliver enormous returns for the city.

“We’re expecting a stand similar to the one we already have at the ground,” said.

“For us it is the right size.”

An artist’s view of what Mars Stadium will look like for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Picture: Victorian Government.

In addition to the development at Eureka Stadium, it’s the confirmation the marathon will be run in the home city of athletics hero Steve Moneghetti that has Cr Moloney most excited.

“The big win was getting the marathon secured as part of the athletics program,” he said.

“It is one of those few sports where you do see more of a city’s backdrop. Often the cycling and marathon events are where you see the landscape.”

It’s not yet clear if the marathon will finish inside the newly developed stadium but Cr Moloney confirmed the Steve Moneghetti track around Lake Wendouree will come into play.

“All those things have to be decided (including the race route),” he said.

“Either way, involving a big part of our CBD and lake precinct can show off some of the city’s strong landmarks.”

Steve Moneghetti at Lake Wendouree for the Queen's Baton Relay in Ballarat. Photo: Commonwealth Games Australia

Ballarat will also be home to an Athletes Village set to house more than 1800 athletes, coaches and staff at the town’s former saleyards.

“We are a city of three and four bedroom houses, having a greater mix of one or two bedroom flats and bigger places will create the diversity we are lacking,” Cr Moloney said.

Boxing is also set to be held in the goldfields city with a venue set to be named at a later date.

Mountain biking, which is making its return to the event, will be held in nearby Creswick where 60km of trails will be established.

Commonwealth Games chief executive Craig Phillips hailed the location as the perfect fit.

“Its extensive range of trails make it one of the best stages in the world,” Phillips said.

The local council is also pushing the Victorian Government to build a train station near Eureka Stadium to help ease traffic congestion.

There has already been $50m in funding allocated for a revamp of Ballarat Central station.

“Eureka Stadium is almost the halfway point to some degree. We think that would be a fantastic way to complement it.,” Cr Moloney said.

As part of the upgrades another athletics track, which will be used by athletes for training, will be built at the showgrounds adjoining Eureka Stadium.