MCG eyes rebuild of Great Southern Stand to retain sports capital crown

Almost half of the Melbourne Cricket Ground’s seating area could be rebuilt as plans accelerate for the biggest redevelopment in the landmark’s history.

The Victorian government is preparing to complete a feasibility study that will decide the future of the 45,000-seat Great Southern Stand, which holds nearly half the stadium’s capacity.

Plans are advancing for a major redevelopment of the Great Southern Stand, which seats 45,000 people.Credit: AFL Photos

Two sources close to the process, but not authorised to speak publicly, said the study was likely to recommend an entire rebuild of the stand, at a cost of more than $1 billion. Work could start within five years.

Whether additional seating could be incorporated into what is already the southern hemisphere’s largest sports stadium is one of the topics under consideration.

The MCG’s 100,000-person capacity would be reduced during the renovations, which are expected to last at least two to three years, but AFL, cricket and other sporting matches would continue to take place.

The Melbourne Cricket Club, which manages the MCG, started a redevelopment feasibility study in the second half of last year as concerns grew the 30-year-old stand would soon be outclassed by new stadiums in Perth, Sydney and Brisbane.

Melbourne Cricket Club chief executive Stuart Fox, who oversees management of the MCG.Credit: Paul Jeffers

Details from that study – including rebuild and refurbishment options, the cost, funding structure and impact on events – are being finalised before being handed to the state government.

The MCC, led by chief executive Stuart Fox, will then ask Spring Street officials to complete the final stage of the business case, with the aim of starting construction by 2032 and ideally within five years.

A major upgrade of the Great Southern Stand has been on the cards for several years because the stand was built in 1992 with an anticipated lifespan of about 40 years.

The MCC is growing wary of issues including limited disability access, particularly on level four; a dearth of food and beverage options; outdated seating; and congestion at entry and exit points.

The Great Southern Stand was built in 1992 and underwent a minor upgrade in 2012.Credit: Michael Wilson

“Most of the industry knows it’s old. It’s not broken but it’s not great,” said one MCC source.

“The stand doesn’t cope as well functionally with huge crowds. If you were to let it go and nobody did anything, I think Victoria would have a genuine risk of losing major events.”

Sources said early findings from the feasibility study preferred a rebuild over a refurbishment of the existing stand, which would be cheaper but would not allow for a complete modernisation of the facilities.

The Victorian government, emboldened by its agreement with the AFL to host every grand final until 2057, holds responsibility for significant infrastructure work at the MCG and would be expected to foot the majority of the bill.

Victorian Tourism, Sports and Events Minister Martin Pakula’s department will complete the feasibility study.Credit: Penny Stephens

In response to questions from The Age, a government spokesman confirmed the feasibility work had so far been undertaken and funded by the MCC.

“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,” he said.

The MCC declined to comment.

Sources close to the process said any increase to capacity would be minor, probably 5000 or less.

The Great Southern Stand underwent a $55 million facelift in 2012, with $30 million paid by the state government and $25 million by the MCC.

A full rebuild would outstrip the $465 million spent redeveloping the Northern Stand, host to the members’ facilities, before the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

The plan coincides with other states pouring funding into stadium upgrades, with the aim of attracting national and international major events.

The Western Australian government spent $1.8 billion to open Perth’s 60,000-seat Optus Stadium, the country’s newest ground that opened in 2018 and hosted last year’s AFL grand final with Victoria still in lockdown. Among the amenities are two display screens measuring 10 metres by 33 metres and cup-holders in every seat.

Perth’s 60,000-capacity Optus Stadium held the 2021 AFL grand. Credit: AFL Photos

The NSW government is spending more than $800 million rebuilding the 45,000-capacity Sydney Football Stadium, while the Gabba in Brisbane will be upgraded from 42,000 to 50,000 seats at a cost of $1 billion in time for the 2032 Olympics.

The MCG has faced two years of cancellations and reduced crowds due to COVID-19, but will again be allowed to host full stadiums when the AFL season begins next month.

Another MCC source said: “You’ll soon have three venues that can make the MCG look pretty old and tired.”

Sports business expert Sam Duncan said the modern game-day experience relied on amenities such as bars, restaurants and meeting spots.

“Historically, things like where you would eat and drink occurred outside the stadium,” said Dr Duncan, an academic with Melbourne’s Holmesglen Institute.

“Now they’re often occurring inside, and the new Northern Stand caters for that. The Southern Stand, which absolutely needs a refresh, does not.”

Explaining the importance of state-of-the-art facilities, Dr Duncan cited the example of an Ashes cricket series.

“Melbourne would always host a match but if that suddenly went from five to four fixtures, each candidate would be assessed on how contemporary their stadium is,” he said.

“If the MCG is the jewel in the crown and the crown is seeing yourself as the sporting capital of the country with all the economic benefits of that, it is a no-brainer to ensure that crown is as shiny and attractive as possible.”

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