Our History
Melbourne & Olympic Parks stands on land with a rich history of gathering and celebration.
Before Federation, this area was part of the ‘Government Paddock’ and hosted various functions, including police barracks, zoological gardens, and parklands. In 1909, the Victorian Government designated this space—now encompassing Olympic Park—as Crown Land, dedicated to the “recreation, convenience, and amusement of people.” Early events included cycling, racing, athletics, wrestling, and Australian Rules football.
Olympic Park was established in 1933, bringing speed-car racing to its lineup. However, with World War II and petrol rationing in 1940, motorsports became unfeasible, and the arena was demolished in 1946. Redevelopment prepared the precinct for the 1956 Olympic Games, hosting field hockey and cycling. Following the Olympics, the precinct became a home for soccer, rugby union, greyhound racing, and equestrian events.
In 1988, a major redevelopment introduced the National Tennis Centre, establishing Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena for the Australian Open. The precinct continued to evolve with the addition of a multipurpose arena (now John Cain Arena) in 2000 and its role in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
In 2010, AAMI Park opened, and over the last decade, nearly a billion dollars has been invested by the Victorian Government in redeveloping Melbourne Park, ensuring the Australian Open’s home until at least 2044.
Quick Links
Rod Laver Arena History
Rod Laver Arena was opened at Melbourne Park in 1988 as part of the National Tennis Centre complex.
As the centre court for the Australian Open, this popular venue hosts a diverse range of live sports and entertainment events, from historic Grand Slam showdowns to performances by world-famous international touring artists.
Welcoming over a million visitors each year, the arena made history in 2007 when a record-breaking crowd of 16,813 fans packed the venue to see Justin Timberlake.
Timeline
- 1987: Stage One of the $94 million project is completed, featuring a 14,280-seat centre court with a 700-tonne retractable roof, match courts, practice courts, public concourses, public transport infrastructure and car parking.
- 1988: The National Tennis Centre opens to host the 1988 Australian Open, and AC/DC becomes the first live band to perform at the venue.
- 1996: Stage Two is completed ahead of the 1996 Australian Open. Changes to the venue include two new show courts, a function centre, eight additional match courts, additional car parking, and Garden Square.
- 2000: Previously known as ‘Flinders Park’, the ‘National Tennis Centre’ or ‘Centre Court’, the venue is renamed Rod Laver Arena on 16 January 2000, in recognition of Rod Laver’s remarkable tennis career.
- 2005: The 2005 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships are held at Rod Laver Arena, followed by the Commonwealth Games gymnastic competitions in 2006.
- 2019: The $338 million second stage of the Melbourne Park Redevelopment sees significant improvements, including a new main entrance, public concourses, accessible entrances and an upgrade to the retractable roof.
Margaret Court Arena History
Margaret Court Arena opened at Melbourne Park alongside Rod Laver Arena in 1988.
Originally part of the new National Tennis Centre complex, it was purpose-built to host the Australian Open.
Known for its versatility, the arena hosts a range of sporting events, live music, and entertainment, and is celebrated for its excellent acoustics and retractable roof.
Timeline
- 1988: Stage One of the $94 million project is completed, as a 700-tonne Margaret Court Arena opens as ‘Show Court One’ in time for the 1988 Australian Open, as part of a new purpose-built National Tennis Centre.
- 2003: The venue is renamed Margaret Court Arena on 12 January 2003 as a tribute to Australia’s most successful female tennis player.
- 2010: The state government announces Margaret Court Arena will undergo significant improvement works as part of the $972 million Melbourne Park Redevelopment, with capacity increased from 6,000 to 7,500, and the installation of a state-of-the-art retractable roof.
- 2017: Tash Sultana sells a record 7,359 tickets in December, drawing MCA’s largest crowd to date.
John Cain Arena History
Opened in 2000, this $65 million arena was designed as a flexible, multipurpose venue.
Its 250m cycling track, retractable seating, and adaptable floor plan enable it to host a wide range of events, bringing crowds close to the action.
Known as the ‘People’s Court’ during the Australian Open, the arena hosts basketball, netball, and live performances, and is home to Melbourne United, South East Melbourne Phoenix, Melbourne Vixens, and Melbourne Mavericks.
Timeline
- 1992: An oval previously used by Scotch College, the Melbourne Cricket Club and the Old Scotch Collegians Football Club is vacated after ‘The Oval’ is established opposite Rod Laver Arena.
- 2000: The site of the former oval is redeveloped into a multi-purpose arena.
- 2004: The arena hosts its first world championship event, the UCI Track Cycling World Championships (which it hosts again in 2012).
- 2006: The venue hosts basketball, netball and track cycling at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
- 2016: A record crowd of 11,293 music fans fills the arena for an unforgettable RNB Fridays Live event.
- 2020: Formerly known as ‘Vodafone Arena,’ ‘Hisense Arena,’ and ‘Melbourne Arena,’ the venue was renamed John Cain Arena in honour of Victoria’s 41st Premier, whose vision helped shape the precinct for all Victorians.
AAMI Park History
In 2006, the Victorian Government announced a $190 million development for a new rectangular stadium, which opened in 2010 on the site of Edwin Flack Field.
AAMI Park replaced Olympic Park as Melbourne’s home for rectangular sports, accommodating crowds of up to 30,000.
The stadium is home to Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City FC (Football) and Melbourne Storm (Rugby League).
Timeline
- 2006: The Victorian Government announces plans for a new 20,000 seat venue to host rugby league, rugby union and football. Construction commences in 2007, and plans are soon amended to increase the venue’s capacity to 30,000.
- 2010: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, known as AAMI Park, is officially opened. The venue’s first event, the 2010 Rugby League ANZAC Test, is played in front of a sell-out crowd.
- 2015: Taylor Swift sells a record 98,136 tickets over three nights.
- 2016: A record crowd of fans pack the stadium for the second test of the 2016 England rugby union tour of Australia, with Australia winning 23-7.
- 2023: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium hosts six games during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup™.
CENTREPIECE History
The latest chapter in the precinct’s history is unfolding at CENTREPIECE, Melbourne’s newest conference and events venue.
Built on the site of the former Function Centre, CENTREPIECE is part of the Victorian Government’s nearly $1 billion investment in the redevelopment of Melbourne Park.
This innovative venue is poised to become the epicentre for world-class events, setting a new standard for conferences and gatherings in Melbourne.
Kia Arena History
The new 5,000-capacity Kia Arena is Melbourne’s most exciting outdoor sports and entertainment venue, centrally located within the Melbourne Park precinct.
Partially sunken into the ground and situated opposite Rod Laver Arena, Kia Arena comes alive as a premier show court during the Australian Open.
Beyond tennis, the arena offers endless possibilities for unique events, making it a versatile addition to Melbourne’s vibrant event landscape.
Precinct History
In addition to the premier venues, the Melbourne Park precinct is home to several other important facilities.
Olympic Park Oval is located on the former site of the Olympic Park Stadium, decommissioned after the development of AAMI Park. It serves as a crucial training facility for the Collingwood Football Club’s teams, significantly contributing to the club’s success.
Historically, the land has deep roots in local sport; in the late 1800s, it was leased to William Henry Gosch as a paddock for his horses. Today, Gosch’s Paddock oval continues to be used by elite sporting teams for training while also offering a recreational space for locals.
The AIA Centre, originally built as a 5,500-seat swimming pool for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, has been redeveloped for various purposes and now houses training and administrative facilities for the Collingwood Football Club, further enhancing the precinct’s role as a hub for sports and community engagement.
