Preparations underway at Mars Stadium for Comm Games upgrade
Preparations are underway at Mars Stadium ahead of its $150 million upgrade for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with geotechnical testing commencing.
The Ballarat sports venue, non-commercially known as Eureka Stadium, is set to receive a major upgrade to host the athletics and Para athletics competitions.
The project will include the installation of a new athletics track, as well as 5,000 permanent and 18,000 temporary seats to increase the seating capacity from 6,000 to almost 30,000 for the Games.
Victoria-based geotechnical engineering specialists AS James are currently conducting geotechnical and environmental testing on the site to understand the condition of the soil and help with planning. The results of the testing will be used to determine the most appropriate methods for laying the new track and installing the additional grandstand seating.
Victoria's Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery, Jacinta Allan, has confirmed that major works on the venue are due to begin in late 2023.
“We’re getting on with upgrades to Eureka Stadium with geotechnical testing giving us a better understanding of the site, before works start later this year,” Allan said.
The Eureka Stadium upgrade is just one of many projects currently underway in preparation for the Commonwealth Games which will be held throughout regional Victoria. More than $3 billion is predicted to be contributed to Victoria's economy during the event, in addition to creating more than 600 full-time jobs before the start of the Games and 3,900 jobs during the event.
In Ballarat, the marathon and boxing are also due to be staged, while mountain bike racing will be held nearby at Creswick.
Ballarat Saleyards has been chosen as the location for the city’s Athletes’ Village, which will accommodate approximately 1,800 athletes and officials. The Village is expected to be designed in consultation with the local community and will celebrate the “rich culture of the Wadawurrung people and Ballarat’s iconic attractions.”
Ballarat is one of the four regional sites that will host competitions during the Commonwealth Games, which are scheduled to be held from March 17 to 29 in 2026. The other regional sites are Bendigo, Geelong, and Traralgon.
The Commonwealth Games will provide an opportunity for Victoria to showcase its infrastructure, culture, and natural beauty to the world, with the event expected to attract visitors from across the world, as well as provide a boost to the local economy.
