Docklands Stadium (Melbourne)

Docklands Stadium, currently called Marvel Stadium for sponsorship reasons (formerly known as the Colonial Stadium, Telstra Dome or Etihad Stadium) opened in 2000 as a replacement for Waverley Park. Featuring a retractable roof, the ground level seating can be converted from oval to rectangular configuration. With a capacity of 56,000 the stadium is the second largest in Melbourne behind the MCG.

The stadium is primarily used for Australian rules football and the headquarters of the AFL sit within the ground. Five Victorian based teams also use the Docklands Stadium as their home – Essendon, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne and Carlton.

Cricket is also regularly played at the venue, being the home venue of the Melbourne Renegades of the Big Bash League. A number of One Day Internationals were played here from 2000 to 2006, including a 3 match Super Series between Australia and a World XI team and the first indoor ODI between Australia and South Africa in August 2000.

Melbourne Victory of the A-League play blockbuster and finals matches at the stadium, whilst international football (soccer) has also been played here.

Rugby has also regularly been played at the venue – Melbourne Storm of the NRL played their home matches here during the 2001 season, whilst State of Origin matches were played in 2006, 2009 and 2012. Seven matches, including two quarter-finals of the 2003 Rugby World Cup were also held there as well as the Rugby 7’s at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Tenants: Melbourne Renegades (Big Bash League), Essendon Football Club (AFL), St Kilda Football Club (AFL), Western Bulldogs (AFL), North Melbourne Football Club (AFL), Carlton Football Club (AFL) & Melbourne Victory (A-League)

Opened: 2000

Capacity: 56,347

Address: 740 Bourke St, Docklands VIC 3008, Australia

Tickets at Docklands Stadium

Melbourne Renegades (Big Bash League) – Tickets to see the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League are available through their ticketing supplier, Ticketmaster by clicking here.

Essendon Football Club (AFL) – Tickets to see Essendon in the AFL are available through their ticketing supplier, Ticketmaster by clicking here.

St Kilda Football Club (AFL) –Tickets to see St Kilda in the AFL are available through their ticketing supplier, Ticketmaster by clicking here.

Western Bulldogs (AFL) –Tickets to see Western Bulldogs in the AFL are available through their ticketing supplier, Ticketmaster by clicking here.

North Melbourne Football Club (AFL) – Tickets to see North Melbourne in the AFL are available through their ticketing supplier, Ticketmaster by clicking here.

Carlton Football Club (AFL) – Tickets to see Carlton in the AFL are available through their ticketing supplier, Ticketmaster by clicking here.

Melbourne Victory (A-League) – Tickets to see Melbourne Victory at Docklands Stadium in the A-League are available through their ticketing supplier, Ticketmaster by clicking here.

Location & Travel to Docklands Stadium

Docklands Stadium is located in the Docklands area of Melbourne, in its inner-western suburbs.

Air – Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine Airport) is the second busiest airport in Australia, with international and domestic connections to many of the world and Australia’s destinations.

The airport sits approximately 25km north of Melbourne CBD, with Skybus being the most convenient option of getting to the CBD. The shuttle buses run 24 hours a day one way tickets starting from $18.

Thinking of going to Melbourne? Search & book your flights through Skyscanner here.

Bus – The bus terminus is at Southern Cross Train Station and services airport transfers as well as routes across country Victoria. Docklands Stadium is a short walk across the Bourke Street pedestrian footbridge from the bus terminus.

Parking – Docklands Stadium’s Car Parking has 2,500 spaces and costs $30.00 to use on matchdays whether you pay on the day or book in advance. Booking is available on the official website here.

Train – Southern Cross Station is adjacent to Docklands Stadium, being a short walk across the Bourke Street pedestrian footbridge. The station is located on the City Loop and is serviced by all major metropolitan and country train lines except the Sandringham line, with long-distance services available to Adelaide and Sydney.

Tram – Trams run to Docklands Stadium from La Trobe Street and Harbour Esplanade. Trams also stop in the CBD on Spencer Street, Bourke Street and Collins Street and all are a short walk to Docklands Stadium. Services include:

Bourke Street / Spencer Street footbridge entrance:
112 St Kilda Fitzroy St to West Preston
31 Victoria Harbour Docklands to Hoddle Street
11 Victoria Harbour Docklands to West Preston
48 Victoria Harbour Docklands to North Balwyn

La Trobe Street entrance:
30 Marvel Stadium Docklands to St Vincent’s Plaza
86 Waterfront City Docklands to Bundoora RMIT
35 Waterfront City Docklands / City Circle

Walk – An elevated, 20-metre wide pedestrian footbridge connects Docklands Stadium to Southern Cross station and the intersection of Spencer and Bourke streets.

Access can also be gained off La Trobe Street (Gate 7), Harbour Esplanade (Gates 8 and 9) and Bourke Street (Gates 1, 2 and 3).

Where to stay in Melbourne

Use TripAdvisor to find some great places to stay in Melbourne by clicking here.

Docklands Stadium Tour

Tours operate Monday to Friday at 11am, 1pm and 3pm and last approximately an hour. The price of a tour is $15 for Adults, $12 for Students/Concessions and $8 for Children (14 and under).

Further information is available on the official Docklands Stadium website here.