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The Victorian Government and Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) are advancing plans for a potential $2 billion redevelopment of the MCG's Shane Warne Stand, with lead design and engineering consultants now appointed to shape a $15 million business case for the project.
Melbourne-based architecture firm Architectus, working alongside global practices Foster + Partners and MANICA Architecture, has been tapped as lead design consultant, while engineering firm AECOM has been appointed to provide technical expertise.
The jointly funded business case, launched in October 2024, is due for completion in 2027.
The redevelopment will replace the 1992-built stand with a modern facility featuring skyline bars, panoramic views, deeper concourses and a potential boutique hotel, boosting the ground's capacity by 5,000 seats to 105,000.
Construction could begin around 2030 and will be carried out in stages to ensure the MCG maintains a minimum capacity of 70,000 for AFL grand finals and other major events during the build.
A 2024 economic study underpins the case for investment, finding the MCG attracts more than four million fans across 69 major events annually, draws over 620,000 interstate and international visitors, contributes $720 million to the Victorian economy and supports 7,500 full-time equivalent jobs.
“Architectus, Foster + Partners and MANICA are proud to be working with the Melbourne Cricket Club, the Victorian Government, and our design partners to re-imagine the next evolution of this hallowed ground," says Architectus principal and group director of communities Mark van den Enden.
"Our focus will be on honouring everything Melburnians already cherish about the MCG while exploring how it can continue to set a global benchmark for fan experience, accessibility, and atmosphere for decades to come.”
Victoria's Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos, says the project reinforces Victoria's status as the nation's sporting capital.
"This is an important step for Australia’s most cherished sporting and major events venue,” he says.
“This business case will help ensure we know what’s required to maintain the MCG’s place as one of the most iconic stadiums in the world.”
MCC CEO Stuart Fox says the club is grateful for the government's partnership in progressing the business case.
“The ongoing support of the Victorian Government and MCG Trust has been fundamental to further develop this business case for a potential future MCG redevelopment,” says Fox.
“We are looking forward to working with all our key stakeholders as we progress to the next phase of planning.”
The business case will examine detailed design options, costings and staging, with community consultation flagged but no public timeline yet confirmed.
No formal funding commitment or cost-sharing arrangement between the state government and MCC has been disclosed for the redevelopment, although reports suggest state support could exceed $1 billion.
The redevelopment is not without its detractors, including the original Shane Warne Stand architect Peter Cole who has publicly questioned the project's cost-per-seat economics, estimated to be about $200,000 per seat, and raised concerns about the embodied carbon implications of demolishing a structurally sound 34-year-old stand.
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