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he AFL, along with the Victorian State Government, has revealed the design plans for the planned $225 million upgrade of the Marvel Stadium and docklands precinct as a year-round hub for sport and entertainment.

As part of the plans, there will be a new ‘Town Square’, set to transform the space into a seven day per week, open and accessible area with a new city side extension to include function rooms with views of both Marvel Stadium and the Melbourne CBD.

Some stadium walls will also be removed to provide a view of the field of play from the new Town Square, with two new and larger scoreboards to hang from the roof of the stadium at both ends, a new sensory room and changing facilities set to be introduced.

To focus on improved event-day experiences, there will be improvements to Marvel Stadium’s lighting and technology throughout, with home clubs able to fully integrate their brand and club colours into the exterior and interior of the stadium.

AFL CEO, Gillon McLachlan, said the upgrades will deliver the best possible experience for fans at the stadium.

“The Marvel Stadium precinct will be one of the best sports and entertainment destinations in the world, with its proximity to the city and a world class entertainment and food offering pre-and post-event,” McLachlan said.

“The designers have captured our desire to amplify the stadium’s ability to host multiple events across a calendar year and ensure fan experience has been front of mind when designing the upgrade.

“By renovating the existing structure, it will provide a more environmentally sustainable way of building, as well as ensuring minimal disruption to fans.

“On behalf of the AFL I want to thank the Victorian Government for their continued partnership across both elite and community football,” he said.

The construction on the upgrades is set to begin in 2021, with the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula, saying the project will shortly go out to tender.