MCG redevelopment: Five-star hotel part of $1b build

A luxury hotel will be built at the rear of the Shane Warne Stand, and the MCG will be able to welcome more fans under this billion-dollar plan.

The state government has previously backed and funded redevelopments of other stadiums in the state.

A five-star hotel built at the back of a revamped southern stand is part of a business case for a $1 billion MCG redevelopment.

And our iconic stadium would be able to seat 105,000 people – giving it the fifth highest capacity in the world – under the ambitious project being assessed by the state government.

The sweeping upgrade would likely begin in 2027, after the Rugby World Cup and Commonwealth Games.

Construction would be staged over multiple years to enable the ‘G, which currently has a capacity of 100,000 people, to remain operational but with a limited capacity.

Sport and Recreation Victoria, Development Victoria, the MCG Trust and the Melbourne Cricket Club have been working on the first half of a business case, funded by the Melbourne Cricket Club, for the past year.

The State Budget on Tuesday is expected to include money to fund the second stage of the business case, ahead of detailed design and planning.

Sources familiar with the project said boosting the experience of sports and entertainment fans would be the driving force behind the rebuild.

“The Shane Warne Stand is for the punters, and this would be about providing better restaurants, better in-seat viewing, and better disability access to level four, that’s really important,” one source said.

The Shane Warne Stand at the MCG. Picture: Getty Images

The business case shows how accommodation joined directly to the famous precinct would boost the visitor economy in Victoria, with improved links across to the Olympic Park precinct and Richmond station.

The hotel would have sweeping views of Yarra Park towards Punt Road Oval and Richmond.

Better links would boost the safety of fans visiting the packed stadium during major events, while a top-end hotel would lure conferences and events anchored around the sporting mecca and is modelled on the success of a new Adelaide Oval Hotel.

The Oval Hotel, which opened in 2020, includes luxury rooms and restaurants overviewing Adelaide Oval.

Five Regions Restaurant, The Oval Hotel, Adelaide.

Modern facilities at Perth’s Optus Stadium and expected upgrades to Brisbane’s sporting facilities ahead of the Olympic Games in 2032 are also putting pressure on the MCG’s public stands, which sports chiefs say is still a world-leader but ageing.

A government spokesperson said current feasibility work to examine “potential upgrades to the Shane Warne Stand” is led and funded by the Melbourne Cricket Club.

The government has previously backed and funded redevelopments of other stadiums in the state including at Melbourne Park and Marvel Stadium.

“We will always work with stadium management to assess the condition of our major venues and have a strong track record of delivering stadium upgrades across the state.”