Built by Theiss Constructions at a cost of $65m, the multi purpose arena was completed in 2000.  Hisense Arena extended Melbourne Park and its capacity to handle ever increasing tennis crowds whilst also satisfying demand for another flexible multi purpose venue. This state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor facility can host a variety of sports including basketball, tennis and cycling in its own velodrome. 

A world class entertainment venue, Hisense Arena has held an eclectic range of music concerts, family orientated performances, dance parties and in 2008, the Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala. 

Venue features include;

•  Fully retractable roof – 10 minutes to close
•  Dynamic seating configurations (raise-able, retractable, and removable – raising the seats exposes the world class cycling velodrome)
•  A larger floor area than Rod Laver Arena
•  Steeper seating rake (angle) allows patrons at the very top to feel like they’re right in the action
•  Corporate suites and function rooms

From a sporting perspective, Hisense Arena has also seen boxing, including fights between Anthony Mundine and Lester Ellis in 2002 and recently Mundine v Soliman and Fenech v Nelson.  Just as quick on their feet but a little less violent, dancesport protagonists have become a regular and popular feature.

Professional wrestling took centre stage in 2004, and to prove the venue's diverse market, the Trans Tasman netball Trophy was won by Australia the same year (below).  

  

The Arena hosted the World Gymnastics Championships in 2005 and short lived NBL club South Dragons (above) played home games at the venue from 2006-2009, coming from last to win the Championship in their final season.  

Cycling is a regular feature, events such as the Austral Wheelrace and Revolution format proving popular with spectators.

In 2008 every seat was sold for the Australian Open, a tournament that broke a number of attendance records.  The Prime Minister's Olympic Dinner in 2008 (below) was one of the more spectacular events of recent times.

Popular Trans Tasman ANZ Championship side Melbourne Vixens play selected home games at Hisense, their almost perfect 2009 season culminating in winning the Grand Final at the venue. 

 photo:Vicki Jones Photography