Ballarat welcomes GWS Giants and Gold Coast Suns for AFL Round 17 match this Sunday 11 July

City of Ballarat Mayor Daniel Moloney and member for Wendouree Juliana Addison have welcomed news of an additional match to be played at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium in round 17. 

The AFL and the Victorian Government announced the GWS Giants vs Gold Coast Suns clash, originally fixtured at GIANTS Stadium in Sydney, will now be played at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium this Sunday 11 July at 12.40pm. 

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison welcomed the opportunity to host more AFL football in Ballarat.

“We look forward to welcoming GWS and Gold Coast Suns to Ballarat this weekend to play at our world-class sporting venue in the heart of regional Victoria,” Ms Addison said. 

City of Ballarat Mayor Daniel Moloney said the Mars Stadium surface is among the best in the league. 

“Our venue management and grounds staff do an outstanding job in maintaining it year-round for community and elite level matches. 

“While it’s important to acknowledge these are difficult circumstances for the Giants and the Suns, it’s fantastic to have another opportunity to showcase this wonderful venue, and we’re glad to help.” 

“We thank the AFL and the Victorian Government for the opportunity to host this game at Mars Stadium.” 

“I’d encourage footy fans in Ballarat and western Victoria to take up this extra chance to see AFL action in their own back yard.” 

“We look forward to welcoming the GWS Giants and Gold Coast Suns in round 17, before the Western Bulldogs return to their second home in Ballarat for the Round 19 clash with the Adelaide Crows.” 

Ticket information

Tickets for Sunday’s match between the Giants and the Suns at Mars Stadium will be available via Ticketmaster from the following times: 

• GWS Giants Members – Wednesday 7 July at 10am
• Gold Coast Suns & AFL Members – Wednesday 7 July at  12 noon
• General Public – Wednesday 7 July at 2pm

Transport information

Ballarat Bus Shuttle
From 11:30am, a shuttle bus will depart Ballarat Station Bus Terminal and travel to Mars Stadium for patrons.
From 2:30pm, a return shuttle will depart Mars Stadium and drop passengers off in Sturt Street opposite the Ballarat Town Hall.

Where necessary, a drop off can be made in Lydiard St North across from the train station.
Services are expected to operate until all patrons have left, approximately 4:30pm

VLine Train Services
Regular trains will be operating with no additional services.

Melbourne to Ballarat 

• 09:14 am service from Southern Cross arriving at Ballarat at 10:43 am
• 10:14 am service from Southern Cross arriving at Ballarat at 11.43 am

Ballarat to Melbourne 

• 3:20 pm departing Ballarat to Southern Cross
• 4:20 pm departing from Ballarat to Southern Cross.

Parking information

Public parking will be available on Norman Street with limited parking Creswick Road.
Limited disability accessible parking,  enter via North Ballarat Sports Club Carpark.