John Cain Arena

John Cain Arena at Melbourne Park opened in 2000 and offers unparalleled flexibility for events and functions. This incredibly versatile venue boasts an ICU internationally accredited 250 metre cycling track, a tennis court used predominantly for the Australian Open, concert quality acoustics, and innovative seating design that ensures spectators are close to the action at all times.

During construction (and during the 2006 Commonwealth Games) the arena was simply known as Multi Purpose Venue and it opened as Vodafone Arena before Hisense took over the naming rights. As of August 2018, the venue became Melbourne Arena following a deal with the Victorian Government and from December 2020, it was renamed again to John Cain Arena - in honour of the former Victorian Premier who was largely responsible for the vision to create the Melbourne Park precinct.

As well as tennis and cycling, the venue plays host to basketball with NBL teams Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix calling it home, as well as netball with the Melbourne Vixens & Magpies playing the majority of their home games at the venue. Previously, it was also home to the South Dragons, Victoria Giants & Victoria Titans. John Cain Arena caters for all tastes, with 10 food and beverage outlets and 4 merchandise outlets within its expansive public space. The total area of the venue is 13,100 square metres, with a floor space of 2,760 square metres.

Overseen by the Victorian Government Office of Major Projects, the arena was designed by Peddle Thorp Architects and Planners and built by Theiss Constructions. The cycling track was designed by world-renowned track builder Ron Webb, an Australian and one of only two such experts in the world.

Revolutionary in its design, John Cain Arena can be readily changed for almost any event - from ice skating to opera, from cycling to basketball. As well as retractable seating, the state-of-the-art venue also has a retractable roof which can open or close in less than 10 minutes. The venue has fixed seating for 4,500, while raisable, retractable and removable seating can enable a maximum capacity of 10,500 for basketball, tennis and concerts, while cycling can cater for 4,500 fans.

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