Etihad Stadium

Etihad Stadium is a multi-purpose facility designed to cater for major sporting and entertainment events, as well as social, business and private functions.

The stadium is situated in the heart of Melbourne’s Docklands, just minutes from the CBD. Etihad Stadium is the only football stadium in the Southern Hemisphere with a fully retractable roof.

Since opening on March 9, 2000 well over 20 million people have passed through the venue's turnstiles.

On the opening night, Essendon led by Kevin Sheedy and James Hird defeated Port Adelaide 24.12.156 to 8.14.62.

The stadium now hosts in the vicinity of 50 AFL matches a season; in summer, A-League club Melbourne Victory becomes a regular participant at the venue. The venue also regularly stages international sporting events such as Rugby League World Cup matches, Rugby Union Tests and in 2008 Etihad Stadium hosted its first soccer World Cup qualifier.

The venue has also hosted many concert spectaculars featuring international performers such as Andre Rieu, Robbie Williams, Barbra Streisand, Bon Jovi, Kiss, U2, ACDC, Bruce Springsteen and many others.

Etihad Stadium now has five AFL tenant clubs – Essendon, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda, Kangaroos and Carlton.