GAME ON! AFL action returns to Mars Stadium

This weekend’s sell out AFL Premiership season match between Western Bulldogs and the Brisbane Lions at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium will be very different to normal AFL matchdays.

Ticketholders have been advised that strict health and safety measures will be in place for the first AFL match at Mars stadium since 2019.

The match start time has also been moved 10 minutes earlier and will now commence at 1.35pm.

Mars stadium will operate at 75% capacity for Saturday’s big game, with some 8,250 lucky ticketholders seated in two zones. This means patrons will not be able to walk around the venue and must stay in their designated zone.

Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney says the COVID-safe restrictions are necessary to protect the AFL fixture and the safety and well- being of everyone at the ground, including players, officials, visitors, and fans.

Key points if you are attending the game:

• Download your mobile ticket before you arrive
• to send tickets to the individuals attending within your group
• Do not sit in unsold marked seats in your bay as they are to remain empty
• Stay in your designated zone
• Enter via the right gate:
  • Gate 1 – Zone 1 (Eastern, Northern and SE Standing)
  • Gate 3 – Zone 2 (Western and SW Standing).

Additional transport services have been arranged for patrons seeking transport to Mars Stadium with a return bus shuttle service operating between the Ballarat Train Station and Mars Stadium from 11.30am.

From 3pm, the return shuttle bus service will depart Mars Stadium and will drop passengers in Sturt Street, opposite the Ballarat Town Hall. A second drop-off will be made in Lydiard St North across from the train station. 

Services are expected to operate until all patrons have left the ground,

If you missed out on securing a seat for the Bulldogs/Lions clash – you may wish to watch the match on the big screen at a venue nearby, while supporting Ballarat’s hospitality industry.