Bulldogs to host Crows at Mars Stadium

AFL returns to Mars Stadium this Saturday, with the clash between the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide Crows set to draw a large crowd. 

The game forms part of the AFL’s ANZAC Appeal round, with a pre-match ANZAC commemoration ceremony to take place at 1.28pm on the field followed by the first bounce at 1.45pm. 

Spectators will notice a number of improvements at Mars Stadium following an upgrade over the summer courtesy of a $6.6 million State Government investment.  

City of Ballarat Acting Mayor, Cr Amy Johnson said after two seasons of COVID-19 interruptions and restrictions, it will be wonderful to see a strong crowd fill the stands. 

“Even since the last Western Bulldogs home match in 2021 there have been substantial improvements to Mars Stadium to make the game day experience even better,” she said. 

“There will be additional accessible seating in the Western and Eastern stands, upgraded entrances with new ticket boxes, covered areas to make it easier and more comfortable for fans to enter the ground, permanent bathrooms to replace temporary toilets on match days, improved standing areas and permanent food and beverage areas.” 

For those heading to the match, a free shuttle bus service will return, with hundreds of parking spaces also available at C.E Brown Reserve and surrounding ovals. 

These parking spaces can be accessed from Dowling Street, giving patrons access to the Mars Stadium gates via a short walk. 

Additional on-street parking will be available for drivers in Howitt and Norman Streets, as well as Creswick Road (north of Norman Street). 

Drivers are reminded there is accessible parking at the North Ballarat Sports Club, however all other traffic will be directed to park at one of the other designated parking areas. 

A drop-off and pick-up zone will also be set up directly outside Gate 2 on Creswick Road. 

A shuttle bus will depart Ballarat Railway Station Bus Terminal and travel to Mars Stadium from 11:30am.  

From 3pm, a return shuttle will depart Mars Stadium and drop passengers off in Lydiard St Nth (Train Station) followed by Sturt Street, outside the Ballarat Town Hall. 

This shuttle service is expected to continue until all patrons have left Mars Stadium. 

The Park and Ride Shuttle service that has previously operated during some AFL matches in Ballarat will not be in operation this weekend. 

A fan zone will be located inside Gate 3 on the netball courts with a range of kids activities including inflatable, handball target and kids activities to keep young Bulldogs fans entertained before the first bounce. 

Gates open at 12.15pm. Tickets are still available for the match and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.