Latest news:

16 March 2010
Australian insurance company AAMI has been secured as naming rights partner for the Rectangular Stadium for an 8 year term, the stadium to be known as ‘AAMI Park’.  The Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs, James Merlino, announced the agreement at a press conference at AAMI Park.  With the turf laid, posts in place and seats proliferating the terraces, the computer generated images are fast becoming reality. 

   

November 2009
Most of the eastern side's roof panels have now been affixed, giving passers-by a closer indication of the finished structure.  Meanwhile, the grass for the pitch is currently growing in Pakenham, expected to be transported to the stadium in January.

Melbourne's recent affirmation as the 'World's best sports city' was reinforced with the announcement that Melbourne defeated South Africa in the bid for a Super 15 rugby union competition licence, the team to join the Storm, Victory and new A-League team 'Melbourne Heart' as stadium tenants. The Rebels have since announced in January a major coup that former Wallabies coach Rod McQueen as coach and former Storm Chief Brian Waldron as CEO.

In a busy month in the media, it was also announced that the AAMI Park's first game will be held on 7 May 2010; the ARL VB Test between Australia and New Zealand.

 

Roof progress August 2009
The unveiling of AAMI Park's spectacular LED roof lighting attracted its fair share of media attention recently but for passers by, the roof structure itself is generating plenty of excitement.  Of the 20 'shells', 11 have now been completed and another four are well on the way.  Heading west along Olympic Blvd, the scale of the project is fully apparent with the eastern side's roof structure virtually complete.

Roof panels June 2009
A noticeable aesthetic advancement is set to excite the public with the first of the roof panels being added to south east corner of the bio-frame.

Open Day 10 March 2009
The most recent open day, hosted by Major Projects Victoria and Grocon, gave the project’s key stakeholders, contractors and tenants a unique opportunity to see the progression of work inside AAMI Park.  Members of peak bodies in the design and construction industry also attended.

Recent Media:

"We also cannot wait to move into the new Melbourne rectangular stadium and make it our home. The interest that Victory versus Heart will generate as a home derby should be phenomenal. We have always considered Adelaide and Sydney our biggest rivals - they are the two teams our fans love to hate - but for me, a pure and proper derby is just so exciting. Bring it on."
Melbourne Victory captain, Kevin Muscat, WA Today 16 January 2010

Melbourne Heart FC name & logo confirmed
Exploring the Melbourne Victory's new home
League test to open Melbourne Stadium
Melbourne gets Super 15 team
The building of a new legend
Stadium of light
Rendered animation of Stadium lighting on Youtube
New Stadium roof is in a league of its own
Melbourne's rectangular stadium new jewel in sport's crown 
Thinking outside the square
Storm's waiting game
Channel 7 News 10/8/08

   
November 2008                                                               March 2009

 
July 2009                                                                         November 2009



February 2010

Description:

The world class stadium will have a cutting-edge Bioframe design with a geodesic dome roof which will substantially cover the seating area. The beauty of the design is that spectators will enjoy unobstructed views, free from pillars, walls or other support structures.  This design will also use 50 per cent less steel than a typical stadium roof of the same size. 

Built on Edwin Flack field, AAMI Park will rival the word’s best in becoming a world-class event and sports administration complex.  It will also feature a sports campus, including an elite training centre and office accommodation which will rival the world’s best. 

After an agreement was reached with Melbourne Victory and the Football Federation of Victoria in May last year, AAMI Park was expanded to accommodate more than 31,000 fans. 

More than 1200 workers had been employed both on and off site during the project, which is expected to generate about $775 million in benefits for the construction and associated industries.

Click here for the announcement media release.

Purpose:

Victoria's burgeoning rugby and soccer codes have long awaited a dedicated stadium to accommodate elite level crowds in way that provides the intimate viewing experience afforded by purpose built venues.  Once completed, AAMI Park will provide the missing link in Melbourne’s sporting infrastructure for a medium sized rectangular pitch stadium.

Confirmed playing tenants include A-League's Melbourne Victory (a new Melbourne team is set to join the competition for the 2010-11 season), National Rugby League's Melbourne Storm and the new, yet to be named, Melbourne Super 15 rugby union team.  Melbourne Football Club will also use AAMI Park as an administration base whilst Olympic Park Sports Medicine Clinic, Tennis Victoria and the Victorian Olympic Council have already taken up residence.

Awards:

- Winner of the Bentley Award, an international award for excellence in parametric modelling for structures (2008).
- Wallpaper* Design Award 2010 for Best Building Site, Cox Architects