One of Melbourne’s most recognisable sporting and entertainment venues, Marvel Stadium, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this week. Opened in 2000 as Colonial Stadium, the Docklands Stadium has been the backdrop for everything from AFL blockbusters and international pop concerts to WWE smackdowns and the occasional monster truck showdown.
Over the years, the stadium has changed more than just its turf. Corporate sponsorships and naming rights have meant it has undergone its fair share of name changes too. In 2002, it became Telstra Dome, then Etihad Stadium in 2009, before becoming Marvel Stadium in 2018.
Across two and a half decades, Marvel has cemented itself as more than just a sporting ground. It’s hosted some of the world’s biggest acts, from AC/DC, U2 and Taylor Swift to Foo Fighters, Ed Sheeran, Pink and Eminem.
The venue’s fully retractable roof – still the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere – makes it an all-weather powerhouse for events year-round. Whether you’re watching a match under the lights or dancing in a sea of 50,000 fans, the stadium has a knack for delivering spine-tingling moments.
A $225 million redevelopment kicked off in recent years has brought upgraded seating, more green spaces, and a slick new Town Square precinct with the aim of making Docklands a true destination, not just a detour.
