Australian A-League 2006-97 premier and champion club Melbourne Victory has agreed to be a part-time anchor tenant of its home city's latest super sports stadium. The A$268 million rectangular soccer, rugby league and rugby union stadium in the Victorian state capital's 1956 Olympic Park precinct will be shared by Melbourne Victory and National Rugby League club Melbourne Storm and will also be used as a training facility by AFL club Melbourne FC. Building will start later this year and should be finished by late 2009.
Melbourne Victory and Football Federation Australia had pushed for the venue to be upgraded to 50,000 capacity from the original plan of 20,000 seats. A compromise reached with the Victorian state government means that the stadium will be configured for 31,000 seats and Melbourne Victory will be able to transfer at least five of its regular season games to the nearby 60,000-seat Telstra Dome to meet spectator demand.
Melbourne Victory and Football Federation Australia had pushed for the venue to be upgraded to 50,000 capacity from the original plan of 20,000 seats. A compromise reached with the Victorian state government means that the stadium will be configured for 31,000 seats and Melbourne Victory will be able to transfer at least five of its regular season games to the nearby 60,000-seat Telstra Dome to meet spectator demand.