Key Takeaways:
- The proposed Macquarie Point stadium in Hobart, Tasmania, has a price tag of $1.13 billion and a seating capacity of 23,000 people.
- The stadium would feature a dome-shaped design, a circular concourse, and a retractable seating system for concerts and other events.
- The stadium would have four main entrances, with Gate 1 expected to handle the most traffic, and would include security checkpoints and wind tunnel-tested public concourses.
- The stadium would host various events, including AFL games, cricket, soccer, rugby, concerts, and conferences, with a curfew of 10:30 pm for night events.
- The stadium’s design is only 70% complete, with the final stages to be designed by the contractor if the project is approved.
- The project’s approval is expected to be decided by Tasmania’s upper house on December 4, with a tight vote expected.
Introduction to the Proposed Stadium
The debate over the proposed Macquarie Point stadium in Hobart, Tasmania, has been ongoing, with arguments focusing on the $1.13 billion price tag, the stadium’s design, and its potential impact on the city’s waterfront. However, setting aside the politics, it is essential to consider what it would be like to visit the stadium. The proposed stadium would sit on a large plot of land between the River Derwent, Hobart’s CBD, and the Queen’s Domain, and would feature a striking, dome-shaped design capable of hosting over 20,000 people at elite-level sporting games and large concerts.
Entering the Stadium
The stadium would have a wide public concourse encircling the building, offering space for crowds to gather before entering through one of the four main entrances. The most popular entrance, Gate 1, would be closest to the port and would feature an "active event plaza." More than 8,800 people are expected to enter through Gate 1 for sold-out AFL games, which is roughly a third of the total attendees. The building would feature four main gates, each funnelling thousands into the stadium on game days. Security checkpoints would be established up to 30 metres out from each gate, with planners estimating that about 116 people a minute would flow through the security lanes at Gate 1.
The Spectator Experience
Once inside, visitors would move through an atrium that opens into a circular concourse lined with food outlets, bars, and bathrooms. The internal concourse would wrap around the stadium, providing access to the seating bowl, which would have a capacity for 23,000 people. The seats would be angled and tiered to provide each spectator with "clear, unrestricted views" of the oval, which stretches about 160 metres from one end to the other. The roof would shield the crowds from wind and rain, and the stadium would feature large video boards and lighting rings designed to add to the "immersive experience." The field itself would be multi-purpose, able to be configured for AFL, cricket, soccer, and rugby, as well as one-off events such as boxing or basketball.
Conferences and Events
The stadium is also being pitched as a year-round events hub, hosting up to 40 major conferences annually. These events would take place in a large function space in the western grandstand, which would also feature hospitality areas and premium seating. Conference attendees would enter through Gate 2 and move through a triple-height lobby via lifts, escalators, and stairs. The proposed stadium features a function room for conferences and cocktail events, with capacities ranging between 1,500 to 2,000 people. Movable partitions would allow multiple smaller events to run at once, while kitchen and service areas would sit nearby to cater for guests.
Player Facilities
The bowels of the stadium would be inaccessible for the majority of spectators and used primarily by athletes, officials, and stadium staff. An internal service road would wrap around the internal section, giving teams secure access to operational areas. Players would arrive via this tunnel and head to dedicated locked rooms, warm-up areas, medical spaces, and recovery facilities like ice baths. Nearby, the designs also include a "field club" — a premium hospitality area with views into an indoor training zone. The players would enter the field through the field club, meaning spectators enjoying a drink could offer encouragement — or the occasional sledge — directly to players.
Transportation and Accessibility
The journey to and from the stadium is expected to have a major impact on how much people enjoy their day out. The key transport study found that the location does "complicate" the city’s already busy road network. During peak events, modelling suggests a noticeable rise in congestion along the Tasman Bridge, the Brooker Highway, and key CBD roads. To avoid gridlock, the consultants said there needed to be a "coordinated, multi-agency" campaign to get people out of their cars. The study suggests that for traffic to flow smoothly on the day of a sold-out Tasmania Devils game in the AFL, specific targets need to be met in terms of the transport mix, including 7,500 people catching buses, 7,300 people driving and parking nearby, and 5,400 people walking.
Next Steps
The design of the stadium is only 70% complete, with the final stages set to be designed by the contractor if the stadium goes ahead. The decision to approve or reject the proposed Hobart AFL stadium is expected to be made by Tasmania’s upper house on December 4. The vote is expected to be far tighter than the lower house vote, which passed easily in early November. Whatever the outcome, it will mark the end of years of argument, speculation, and sharply drawn opinions. If the project is approved, perhaps the next round of debates will instead be about finding a seat or a way home.