New grandstand, expanded oval part of new Richmond Football Club headquarters redevelopment

The $100m redevelopment of Richmond’s iconic Punt Road home — its base for about 140 years — has officially kicked off.

A render of the Richmond AFL Punt Road Redevelopment.

Work on a $100m redevelopment of Richmond’s Punt Road Oval has officially kicked off.

A major revamp of the AFL team’s home since 1885 started on Monday, with a new, two-level grandstand to form the centrepiece of work and ensure the Tigers remain in Richmond.

The new Jack Dyer Stand will accommodate more fans than the current historic structure, which will soon be demolished despite opposition from some Tigers supporters.

The oval itself will be expanded and realigned to meet AFLW standards, making it the same size as the MCG and enabling more AFLW games at Punt Rd.

An artist’s impression of the grounds of the Richmond AFL Punt Road redevelopment.

The historic Punt Road grandstand will look very different.

It will include new AFL/AFLW change rooms, player spaces, recovery facilities and strength and conditioning areas, alongside a three level underground car park and landscaped terrace.

Richmond chief executive Shane Dunne said the club had a “commitment to re-

establish Punt Road Oval as a community asset and state-of-the-art facility for men’s and women’s sport.”

“This is an incredibly exciting moment for our club,” he said.

“It will make us stronger on and off the field and ensure we are set up for success for generations to come.

“Importantly, this redevelopment will ensure Richmond stays in Richmond, our home.”

The works will be bankrolled with the assistance of a $20m state government grant, federal government and AFL funding and donations from yellow and black faithful.

The upgrades will ensure Richmond stays at its home of 140 years.

The upgrades will give the club state of the art facilities.

The most significant infrastructure project in the club’s history, stage one of the project includes construction of the new grandstand, car park and new female facilities.

Built Environs has been appointed builder for the $85m first stage, expected to be completed by mid-2027.

The club will then seek to secure $25m to fund stage two, including establishment of the William Cooper Centre community space and new admin offices.

“Our club is privileged to be based in the heart of one of the world’s greatest sporting precincts and in the shadows of the MCG,” Dunne said.

“We want this to be a club that attracts and retains the best talent on and off the field and this redevelopment will ensure that is the case.”

The Tigers will temporarily relocate while the work is completed.

The redevelopment will future proof the club’s future at the iconic site.

Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos said: “Punt Road Oval is an iconic sporting venue.

“It’s been home to the Tigers for around 140 years – and this development will ensure footy, fans and the community will continue to benefit from this facility for many years to come.”

The Herald Sun last year revealed Richmond had asked supporters to help fund the revamp, with former Tigers CEO Brendon Gale saying its cost had blown out from an original forecast of $65m to about $100m.

The club has also committed to ensuring every salvageable brick from the demolished Jack Dyer Stand, built in 1914, is cleaned and placed into the foundations of the redevelopment.

It has worked with the family of the club great known affectionately as Captain Blood to ensure the new stand bearing his name is a fitting replacement.

The Tigers will relocate to a temporary training ground next season while the bulk of the grandstand revamp is completed.

Originally published as New grandstand, expanded oval part of new Richmond Football Club headquarters redevelopment