Docklands Stadium , known as Telstra Dome , and originally as Victoria Stadium and Colonial Stadium , is a multi purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands precinct of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, that caters for both sporting and entertainment events. The stadium was developed as a replacement for Waverley Park. Originally developed by Docklands Stadium Consortium and thereafter controlled by Seven Network the remaining leasehold interest in the stadium on 21 June 2006 was sold to James Fielding Funds Management for AU$330 million. [1] In 2025 the AFL is expected to take over the ownership [2]. Like Waverley, it was built for Australian rules football, unlike most grounds of that size in Australia that were designed for cricket. It is used as a home ground by the AFL clubs Carlton, Essendon, North Melbourne, St Kilda and Western Bulldogs. Other Melbourne-based teams in the AFL competition play home games at the Telstra Dome (along with the MCG). The stadium has also been host to other sporting events, including association football (soccer), cricket, rugby league and rugby union, as well as many general entertainment events such as concerts (Robbie Williams, Barbara Streisand, The Boss, Green Day and U2), wrestling (WWE Global Warning, 2002), and boxing (Kostya Tszyu vs Jesse James Leilya, 2003). The ground hosted two quarter finals of the 2003 Rugby World Cup, the Rugby 7s at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, [3] will be used in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup for the Australia vs England game and will be a part of an Australian bid to host the 2018 Football World Cup. [4] In the summer months, it is used as the home ground for Melbourne Victory games in the A-League and the AFC Champions League. The venue appeared in the 2007 film "Ghost Rider". Its name, wherever visible, has been digitally changed to the SoBe Dome . The Telstra Dome will host the VFL and TAC Cup Grand Finals on Friday, September 26, 2008. The TAC Cup Grand Final starts at 4pm followed by the VFL Grand Final at 7.40pm.

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Naming rights history

The stadium was constructed by Baulderstone Hornibrook and opened on 9 March 2000, as Colonial Stadium . The name was changed to Telstra Dome on 1 October 2002 when the telecommunications company Telstra acquired the naming rights from Colonial State Bank. It is also colloquially referred to as simply "the Dome", particularly by clubs who are sponsored by rival telecommunications companies.

Stadium features

• Retractable roof above playing surface, opens east-west, and takes eight minutes to fully open or close.
• Movable seating
• 'Colosseum' arena structure
• Two large internal replay screens which display scores and advertisements.
• External super screen
• 1,000 video seats
• 13 function rooms
• 66 corporate boxes
• Premium Club membership area, The Medallion Club
• 2,500 car parking spaces below the ground
• Oval shaped, turf playing surface of or
• Over 700 2000-watt lights for arena illumination
• A varying capacity of between 12,000 and 74,000, depending on the event. For example seats can be laid on the ground.
• An AFL capacity of 53,355
• The ends of the ground, where the AFL goal posts are located, are named after VFL/AFL goal-kicking legends Tony 'Plugga' Lockett and Gordon Coventry. The northern end is the Lockett End, and the southern end, the Coventry End.

Playing surface issues

Since its inception, Telstra Dome has endured criticism over the quality and suitability of its playing surface, in particular for AFL requirements. It has been criticised by players and coaches for its slipperiness, hardness and lack of grass coverage. ^[5] The turf has required regular expensive replacement since its inception due to a lack of sunlight inside the stadium. The turf itself is supplied under contract by HG Turf, whereas the responsibility of laying and managing the turf lies with Telstra Dome management. ^[6]

Issues with the ground's ability to grow grass all year round can be attributed to the stadium's irregular North-South orientation which was a requirement due to its placement between the surrounding roads and Docklands body of water. In particular, the Northern end of the stadium only receives 6 weeks of sunlight a year. Concerts held at the stadium are also usually placed at the Southern end due to the ability for grass to recover faster in that section of the ground. ^[7]

In August 2007, Telstra Dome chief executive Ian Collins confirmed talks were underway to purchase an elaborate lighting and heating system to allow grass to be grown by curators all year round. This followed extensive visits by Telstra Dome officials to several FIFA World Cup venues in Germany, locations in the United States and Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium.

Studies have also been conducted due to concerns that hard surfaces like Telstra Dome increase the likelihood of player injury, in particular in contributing to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries (knee). ^[8]

Attendance records

• Largest attendance
  Catholic Jubilee Mass
  15 November 2000
  70,000 people
• Largest entertainment event attendance
  Robbie Williams Close Encounters Tour
  18 December 2006
  66,500 people
• Largest sporting event attendance
  Rugby Union - Australia vs British and Irish Lions
  7 August 2001
  56,605 people
• Largest A-League attendance
  Grand Final, 18 February 2007
  Melbourne Victory vs Adelaide United
  55,436 people
• Largest AFL attendance
  Round 12, 15 June 2007
  Carlton vs Hawthorn
  53,459 people
• Largest Rugby League attendance
  State of Origin Game III, 5 July 2006
  Queensland vs New South Wales
  54,833 people ^[9]
• Largest NRL attendance
  Preliminary final, 23 September 2007
  Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta
  33,427 people ^[10]