Manuka Oval
Manuka Oval is Canberra's home of Cricket and AFL. The picturesque venue has a seating capacity of 13,550 and a total capacity of 15,000, hosting BBL and international cricket matches, the annual Prime Minister's XI match and a number of GWS Giants AFL home games each year.
One of the features of the ground is the Jack Fingleton Scoreboard. This was originally the scoreboard at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, recycled when the MCG installed its first electronic board in the early 1980's. It was relocated to Manuka and named after the late Australian opening batsman who made his career as a political journalist in the corridors of Parliament House, just a few kilometres away.
Manuka Oval received a $9 million upgrade in 2001 further ensuring the ground's status as the permanent home for both Cricket and Australian Football in Canberra. Features of the redevelopment included new tiered seating, extending the terraces at the northern and southern ends with individual stadium seating, Inner bowl of stadium seating in front of concrete terraces, Two new toilet blocks and refurbishment of remaining toilets, Construction of a viewing bank on the eastern side to accommodate corporate marquees or portable seating, and Minor landscape improvements. Years later, a roof has been added to the majority of the tiered seating.
The installation of six new 47-metre high light towers was completed in 2013 at a cost of $5.3 million, with the venue now able to host night events including international cricket and AFL. A permanent video screen and additional seating was also installed during the venue's most recent upgrade. In late 2013, a new playing surface was installed with improved drainage and irrigation, new fence and player dugouts, and a new media centre opened in late 2018. The venue hosted its first Test Match in January 2019.
Manuka Oval Details
UNSW Canberra Oval
Australian Football
Sydney Thunder (BBL)