Telstra Dome
- This page is for Telstra Dome, Melbourne. There is also Telstra Stadium in Sydney.
Telstra Dome is a stadium in the developing Docklands precinct of Melbourne, Australia, that caters for both sporting and entertainment events. The stadium was opened on March 9 2000, as Colonial Stadium. The name was changed to Telstra Dome on October 1 2002 when the telecommunications company Telstra acquired the naming rights.
The stadium was developed as a replacement for Waverley Park. The Seven Network previously owned the stadium, but on June 21 2006 sold its interests to James Fielding Funds Management for $AUD 330 million. In 2020 the network was meant to hand the stadium to the AFL.
Like Waverley, it was built specifically for Australian rules football, unlike most grounds that were originally designed for cricket. Along with cricket, rugby league, rugby union and many events (concerts, world wrestling fight, etc) have been held there, although it is predominately used for football. Telstra Dome is currently used as a home ground by Carlton, Essendon, The Kangaroos, St Kilda, and the Western Bulldogs football teams.
The non-commercial name for the venue is Docklands Stadium, which is named for its location in Melbourne Docklands. The name is used primarily by those who wish to mention stadiums by their non-commercial names, such as non-commercial organisations like the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It is also colloquially referred to as simply the Dome, particularly by clubs who are sponsored by rival telecommunications companies.
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[edit] Stadium Features
- Retractable roof
- Movable seating
- ‘Colosseum’ arena structure
- Two large internal replay screens
- External Super screen
- 1,000 video seats
- 13 Function Rooms
- 66 Corporate Boxes
- 2,500 Car parks below the venue
- Turf playing surface of 19,053 square metres (170m x 140m)
- Over 700 2000-watt lights for arena illumination
- A varying capacity of 12,000 - 74,000
- An AFL capacity of 56,347
- Two ends of the ground named after VFL/AFL goal-kicking legends, Lockett End (after Tony Lockett) and Coventry End (after Gordon Coventry). The Lockett End is the Northern End, and the Coventry End is the Southern End.
[edit] The Medallion Club
The Medallion Club is Telstra Dome's Premier Membership category. All members of the Medallion Club are entitled to, on a fully transferable basis, the following:
- A premium reserved seat, some with a personal fold-out LCD TV
- In seat service including beverages and food
- Free admission to any sporting event held at Telstra Dome and first right of refusal to all other events
- Complimentary parking in the stadium car park
- Complimentary AFL Membership
- Access to the Medallion Club facilities: the Terrace Bar and the Brasserie, Grille, Harbourside and Lounge Restaurants.
The Medallion Club is the only area in the Telstra Dome in which a dress code is enforced. Smart casual clothing is required at all times; in particular, thongs, ugg boots, singlets, tracksuit pants and ripped clothing are not accepted.
The Medallion Club has a monthly fee of $345 - $350 per month. Medallion Club is held at level 2 at Telstra Dome.
[edit] Attendance Records
- Largest Attendance
Catholic Jubilee Mass
15th November 2000
70,000 people - Largest entertainment event attendance
Robbie Williams Concert
10th December 2003
58,163 people - Largest Sporting attendance
Rugby Union - Australia v British and Irish Lions
7th August 2001
56,605 people
[edit] Trivia
- The Telstra Dome can be seen in the 2007 movie Ghost Rider in which its name, wherever visible, has been digitally changed to the SoBe Dome.
