The race by all 18 AFL clubs to provide world class facilities has never been more competitive. By the end of 2030 over $1.15 billion dollars is anticipated to have been spent since 2011 on AFL high-performance and community infrastructure across all clubs.
Begging the question, who is providing the best of the best and more importantly equipped for the future?
Criteria (out of 5 rating for a total out of 20 score)
Location - Proximity to the club’s traditional fan base and locality.
Building Age - How long since the most recent redevelopment.
Community - Community benefit, opportunities and amenity.
Facilities - The high-performance infrastructure provided.
Hawthorn – Waverley Park | (13)
Location – 30min drive from Hawthorn.
Building Age – Waverley Park was last redeveloped in 2006 when the club relocated from their traditional homeland at Glenferrie Oval.
Community – Waverley Park has been developed over time into a surrounding housing estate.
Facilities – Ground has broken on the club’s $100 million transformational project and new home The Kennedy Community Centre. The precinct is part of the club’s vision to build an elite environment that connects with past players, members, fans and the local community.
The Future – The new development in Dingley is pivotal to the Hawk’s providing a high-performance, community integrated environment. Whether or not the South-East location connects with its Hawthorn fan base only time will tell.
Melbourne – Casey Fields, Gosch’s Park, AAMI Park, MCG | (13.5)
Location – Casey Fields is a 60min drive from AAMI Park & MCG.
Building Age – A new 800m2 Aquatic Centre was completed this year at Casey Fields bringing their total facility spend to $38 million.
Community – Melbourne are the only club with dispersed player and staff facilities.
Facilities – Combined across all sites Melbourne have elite facilities including an Indoor Training Centre, Gymnasium and Aquatic Recovery at Casey, rehabilitation, staff and player lounge areas at AAMI Park and staff administration at both AAMI and MCG.
The Future – With their dispersed facilities Melbourne have the biggest challenge of all the AFL clubs to unify the club together under one roof. A feasibility study to establish a home at Caulfield racecourse is currently in progress with the locality of “Melbourne” and connection to club a critical consideration.
Adelaide – Football Park | (14.5)
Location – 25min drive from City Centre.
Building Age – Adelaide last undertook facility development at Football Park in 2013 with a new $100 million facility at Thebarton Oval earmarked for the club.
Community – Football Park is primarily used by Adelaide & SANFL.
Facilities – High Performance Indoor Open Training, Gymnasium, Administration, 25m recovery pool.
The Future – The Thebarton Oval is pivotal to the Crow’s providing a high-performance, community integrated environment.
Greater Western Sydney – VAILO Community Centre | (14.5)
Location – Sydney Olympic Park in western Sydney.
Building Age – GWS have the second oldest redeveloped facility in the AFL with their $11.5 million facility completed in 2013.
Community – The Giants are based out of Homebush at Sydney Olympic Park.
Facilities – 8 metre high Indoor Gymnasium area with mini-training Field, Gymnasium and indoor 25m swimming pool. Recovery areas as well as player lounge, auditorium and meeting rooms.
The Future – The Giants site at Sydney Olympic Park will require innovative thinking to develop facilities for their future or the exploration of another suitable site for an expanded training base would need to be considered.
Essendon – NEC Hangar | (16.5)
Location – 20min drive from Essendon.
Building Age – A recent Stage 2 development was completed at the end of 2021.
Community – A total of $45 million has been spent to relocate the club’s facilities from the traditional home of Windy Hill.
Facilities - High Performance Indoor Gymnasium, Aquatic Recovery, Administration including auditorium and conference meeting spaces, retail merchandise, museum and Jack Jones café. Facilities strategically aligned with Paralympics Australia and the Essendon District Football League and Riddell District Football Netball Leagues.
The Future – The Bomber’s strategic decision to relocate allows with considered planning for a growing precinct and future facilities.
Gold Coast – Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre | (17)
Location – A short 5min walk to Heritage Bank Stadium and 15min drive to Broadbeach.
Building Age – The Suns $22 million training facility was completed in 2017.
Community – The Suns training base is part of the larger Sports and Leisure Centre precinct with club specific integration.
Facilities – High Performance Indoor Open Training, Gymnasium and Aquatic Recovery. Administration including open plan staff areas, conference and meeting spaces.
The Future – Located within the Gold Coast Sports Precinct any future development for the Suns will be a part of a strategic masterplan which incorporates Heritage Bank Stadium and surrounding sports precinct.
Richmond – Swinburne Centre | (17)
Location – Punt Road, Richmond.
Building Age – Richmond have the oldest high-performance building with the Punt Road development completed in 2012. A $65 million revitalisation of the Jack Dyer Stand is currently in progress in addition to the $11 million development completed in 2011 the oldest of all redeveloped facilities.
Community – Punt Road is not only connected to its historical surrounds in Richmond it is deeply connected with the community. Swinburne University utilise the facility has part of a Diploma offering with the club supporting the Korin Gamadji Institute and providing after hour indoor space for local sporting organisations.
Facilities – 2,000 Capacity playing oval, Indoor Training facility, Indoor Gymnasium, Aquatic and rehabilitation facilities, auditorium and a 125 seat function space.
The Future – The redevelopment of the Jack Dyer Stand is the last piece of the puzzle to realising the clubs dream of establishing a complete high-performance, community precinct at Punt Road.
Brisbane – Brighton Homes Arena | (18)
Location – 35min drive from City Centre.
Building Age – Brisbane moved into their new home training facility in late 2022 – early 2023.
Community – A premier football & community precinct with destination facilities.
Facilities – The $80 million AFL Precinct has a 10,000 seat capacity, High Performance Indoor Open Training, Gymnasium, Aquatic Recovery, Administration including auditorium and conference meeting spaces, retail merchandise and café as well as cooperate partner commercial spaces.
The Future – With a Stadia home the Lions are future proofed to accommodate for the growing outer-west community of Brisbane.
Collingwood – AIA Centre | (18)
Location – 5min drive from City Centre, 10min drive to Collingwood heartland at Victoria Park.
Building Age – Refurbishments to the internal hardcourt area undertaken over the summer take total facility spend to just under $35 million, the last major development at the club was in 2015 when the Glasshouse was constructed to support the clubs growing administrative and training requirements.
Community – A Collingwood FC precinct within Melbourne & Olympic Park.
Facilities - 7,200 Capacity playing oval, High Performance Indoor Gymnasium including climate control environment, Aquatic Recovery, Administration including auditorium and conference meeting spaces, retail merchandise, museum and café.
The Future – Landlocked and with the AIA Centre heritage-listed (originally the pool for the 1956 Olympic Games) Innovative and strategic planning will be required to accommodate future club growth which would most likely incorporate Victoria Park of which the club still utilises for its AFLW program.
Fremantle – Cockburn ARC | (18)
Location – 20min drive from Fremantle.
Building Age – The original $100million was constructed in 2017 with a $20 million expansion currently in progress.
Community – Uniquely placed as a Community recreation venue that integrates high performance sport, home to both the Dockers and Curtin University as well as providing aquatic and indoor facilities for the City of Cockburn.
Facilities – Community and High-performance aquatic and indoor facilities with 7 aquatic pools including 50m outdoor, heated 25m and recovery pools and a 6 Court Indoor Stadium with community and club specific Indoor Gymnasium facilities. Administration and associated player amenities, as well as a retail merchandise and café areas.
The Future – The Cockburn site was designed with the current expansion in mind and will allow the Dockers to construct a new Indoor synthetic grass training facility in the future.
Carlton – Ikon Park | (18.5)
Location – Ikon Park, Carlton North.
Building Age – Carlton has recently completed a three-staged $50 million redevelopment of Ikon Park with the most recent development completed in 2023.
Community - A premier football precinct.
Facilities - 13,000 seat Precinct, High Performance Indoor Open Training, Gymnasium, Aquatic and Hydrotherapy Recovery, Administration including auditorium and conference meeting spaces, retail merchandise, museum and café as well as cooperate partner commercial spaces.
The Future – With one of the best precincts in the AFL, Carlton have the ability to adapt and integrate their site to accommodate future club and community needs.
North Melbourne – Arden Street | (19)
Location – Arden St, North Melbourne.
Building Age – Stage 2 Arden Street redevelopment was completed in early 2023.
Community – North Melbourne’s $26 million facility is entrenched within the Arden Precinct with a rich history at the site and amenity that offers facilities for local schools, sporting clubs, universities and residents through their active community programs.
Facilities – 4,000 Capacity playing oval, Indoor Gymnasium, aquatic, climate control and rehabilitation facilities, player lounge and dining, administration and community spaces including the award winning AV Visual Education space “The Huddle”.
The Future – With its urban siting future growth at Arden St will require innovative thinking with any development to be considered as part of the Arden Precinct masterplan.
St Kilda – RSEA Park | (19)
Location – RSEA Park, Moorabbin.
Building Age – The last redevelopment undertaken at RSEA Park was the development of the Danny Frawley Centre completed in 2022, with total construction spend totalling $55 million.
Community – Community integration is underpinned by the wellbeing programs provided within the Danny Frawley Centre, utilised by schools and community programs.
Facilities – 8,000 Capacity playing oval, Indoor Basketball Court, Gymnasium, Aquatic and hydrotherapy pool, rehabilitation and mental health facilities, administration and auditorium amenities.
The Future – RSEA Park with the undertaking of a masterplan process has the capacity to grow sensitively given its proximity to Moorabbin Reserve parkland. Similarly to Port Adelaide the site is situated within a residential context so a strategic vision would need to be undertaken.
West Coast – Mineral Resources Park | (19.5)
Location – Lathlain Park, Perth. 10min drive to City Centre
Building Age – Mineral Resources Park was constructed in 2019.
Community – The $100 million facility is home to the Waalitj Foundation which provides support to Indigenous Australians and ECU University collaborative programs which supports analysis and sports science research.
Facilities – 6,500 Capacity playing oval, 60m High Performance synthetic Indoor Training Field, High performance Gymnasium, Aquatic and hydrotherapy pools, Sports Science analysis facilities, 250 seat function room, player and social lounge spaces. Administration spaces include an auditorium, meeting and conference rooms as well as a media and broadcasting studio.
The Future – Already a premier precinct in the AFL the Eagles are fortunate, despite their residential context to still have opportunity to grow.
Geelong – GMHBA Stadium | (19.5)
Location – 5mins from Geelong Waterfront
Building Age – The recently completed Joel Selwood Stand is the last as part of the stadiums 5 Stages of development.
Community – The Cats have an edge on the competition as the only club that call their home ground home with administration, training and game day all at the same venue, meaning they provide a true heartland for their supporters and the broader community of Geelong.
Facilities – $100 million has been spent to redevelop the Stadium to a 40,000 seat arena, High Performance Gymnasium and Aquatic Recovery centre, including the Sunrise Centre which supports specialist community rehabilitation. Conference and meeting spaces, retail merchandise and café as well as cooperate partner commercial spaces.
The Future – The Premier Stadia associated with a club in the AFL. GMHBA Stadium is the sporting precinct of Geelong and in turn future strategic planning developments including any future Indoor Training Facility will be well supported moving forward.
Port Adelaide – MG High Performance Centre | (20)
Location – Alberton Oval, Port Adelaide.
Building Age – The $30 million facility redevelopment was recently completed in early 2023.
Community – Port Adelaide have developed a precinct within their heartland that future proofs their connection to community and activation of site.
Facilities – 11,000 Capacity playing oval, High Performance Indoor Open Training facility, with two international standard basketball courts and synthetic field surfaces, Indoor Gymnasium, aquatic, climate control and rehabilitation facilities, Player Lounge and Dining. The precinct also includes adjacent community fields and allows access for after hour community use.
The Future – The Power’s recent development has utilised the entirety of their site, as a precinct for the future. Any new major build would most likely require the demolition of an existing facility, or a strategic purchasing of adjacent land given the sites residential context.
Sydney – Sydney Swans HQ | (20)
Location – Moore Park, Sydney. Adjacent to the SCG.
Building Age – The Royal Hall of Industries redevelopment was completed in 2023 at a cost of $70 million.
Community – Sydney Swans HQ part of The Royal Hall of Industries is home to Red Cross blood donation centre, GO Foundation, 98 Gym and Hoops Capital East which is a strategic organisation alliance with the Sydney Kings and Sydney Flames.
Facilities – High Performance and Community Indoor Training Field, Basketball Court, Gymnasium, Aquatic and hydrotherapy pools as well as climate control rooms, Dining room with player and social lounge spaces. Administration spaces include an 80 seat auditorium, meeting and conference rooms as well as a production media green room, public retail and museum.
The Future – The Swans world-class sporting and community hub has been developed within the iconic Royal Hall of Industries, any required new development would most likely be associated with the adjacent Tramway Oval or separate Henson Park which is home to the Swans AFLW matches.
Western Bulldogs – VU High Performance Centre | (20)
Location – Whitten Oval, Footscray.
Building Age – The redevelopment of the Bulldog’s traditional home was completed in 2023 at a total cost of $77 million.
Community – Student’s from Victoria University will utilise the strength and condition resources as part of the studying.
Facilities – 10,000 Capacity playing oval, 50m x 35m High Performance synthetic Indoor Training Field, Gymnasium, Aquatic and hydrotherapy pools, endurance heat chamber, medical and condition facilities, as well as player and social lounge spaces.
The Future – Construction continues as part of Whitten Oval’s precinct redevelopment with the delivery of the 1,500 seat Grandstand the final piece of the puzzle for completion upon which the site will rival Punt Road as the AFL’s best suburban oval precinct.
Ranking - AFL Club facilities
*Denotes new facilities planned for construction
