Ballarat thrilled to host two AFL matches in 2023

Ballarat will once again roll out the welcome mat for two Western Bulldogs home games for the 2023 AFL season. 

The AFL has announced the Bulldogs will host Adelaide on Saturday 20 May at 2.10pm (round 10) and Greater Western Sydney Giants on the final weekend of July (round 20), at a time yet to be determined. 

The AFL has only locked in the exact dates and times for the first 15 rounds of the season. 

Adelaide has become a regular visitor to Mars Stadium in recent years, although it will be the first time the Giants have played against the Bulldogs in Ballarat. 

Last year’s clash between the Bulldogs and Adelaide resulted in a record Mars Stadium crowd of 10,412. 

It won’t be the Giants’ first visit to the city however, after meeting Gold Coast in 2021 during a COVID-affected season. 

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said he was thrilled to once again see AFL come to town. 

“As the years go on, the relationship between the City of Ballarat and the Western Bulldogs grows stronger,” Cr Hudson said. 

“We look forward to having them back next year and into the future as our partnership continues.  

“We would love to break the record and see more people in the stadium than ever before so I encourage the community to keep an eye on ticket details via the AFL and Western Bulldogs websites.” 

The City of Ballarat and Western Bulldogs are currently involved in a partnership that will continue through to 2024. 

The partnership results in two AFL games, at least one AFLW game, Sons & Daughters of the West Health Program, Youth Leadership Program and Bulldogs Read Program, all in Ballarat.