"A great country sports venue"

The ground is modern with a flat playing surface that is regarded among the best for all grass sports in Australia. It offers modern facilities for spectators, media broadcasting, a large video scoreboard, Class 2 lighting and an excellent sports club. Funding has been provided for some minor upgrades to entries, spectator amenities and a minor increase of seating capacity. The ground has been marked for future major expansion to accommodate future AFL games and other major events, but funding is yet to be announced.

Location

The ground is easily accessible by road although car parking is constrained to surrounding roads and adjacent sports grounds. The City Council coordinate free public transport from and to local railway stations on major event days. Long term plans are for an event day train station to be built on the railway line immediately opposite the ground.

View

The playing ground is relatively small and completely flat with no dome. Viewing areas have relatively steep pitched seating and viewing berms which affords spectators an unrestricted view of the entire playing surface regardless of whether they are sitting in the stands or standing on the boundaries. A major let down though is the lighting which is only 300 lux and performs very poorly during inclement weather.

Facilities

The facilities in the built sections of the ground are modern and easily accessible. Seating is spacious, easily accessible and comfortable. There are plenty of toilets around the stands although the standing areas still rely on portaloos. Funds have been provided for the construction of new covered entrances, fixed food and beverage outlets and new permanent toilets for the standing areas, although construction for these has not commenced.

Food & Drink

Food and drink is provided by food vans on major event days. The ground operators select a broad array of providers who offer a generous range of affordable options for food, coffee and alcohol. Unlike the major metropolitan stadiums, the food is cheaper and full strength alcohol beverages are provided.

Police & Stewards

Ballarat's Mars Stadium oozes country charm. The staff, workers and police at the ground during major events are welcoming, accommodating, and treat visitors and spectators with real country hospitality.

Atmosphere

The ground offers the experience of a country grand final. It is very family friendly and for smaller events families can spread out a rug and watch events from the grassed hill. The noise generated in the steel and concrete Eureka stand is loud and offers its own special atmosphere because of its steeply raked seats that allow spectators to feel engaged closer to the ground.

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