Etihad Stadium

This is a great venue. I’ve been to several AFL football matches here and a few music concerts too. In both cases the seating is good — you will get a great view, no matter where your seat is. For sports, if you’re in General Admission it’s easy, but make sure you’re not sitting too high up on Level 3, or your view of the big screens will be obscured by the roof structures. The ground is easy to get to — by trams along Collins and Bourke Streets, or by train to Southern Cross Station — then a few hundred meters walk into the ground. There’s lots of places to get food and drinks both at the stadium and as you approach. Overall, the venue is a winner.

Usually I’m here for AFL. I was a bit hesitant to be there for a A League match, but found it quite a pleasant experience, with Etihad Stadium catering to the intimacy that a soccer match demands, but they moved the seating closer to the action and it was great.
There’s the usual whinge about how bad the beer is or how expensive it is — but got to expect that.
The great thing about this stadium is the roof and the fact you can go to an event confident that you won’t get soaked.

What do you write about a stadium that was built for aerial ping pong and is used for other more entertaining sports? It’s shape is wrong for rugby & football (the one you play with your feet or as some people call it, soccer). You’re too far away from the action & it has a camber. Cricket? Too small. Food is astronomically priced & is junk. Water? Only $ 5 a bottle, joking aren’t they? Heavy handed if you want to bring in your own food that doesn’t require a mortgage redraw. If you like the AFL game you’d probably like filling their coffers so they can continue to spread their propaganda as far as humanely possible.

Only $ 16 for lunch … How sad that you think you’ve got a bargain when lunch at the footy costs less than $ 20!!!

If it didn’t have a roof it would be a one for sure! It’s okay but since it’s privately owned it hasn’t been upgraded in years which is super noticeable with it’s below par screens! The food is over priced and tickets aren’t cheap either. Don’t think about a beer either because you’ll need a mortgage for that! Okay it’s not all bad, like from the top level you have a great view of the ground unlike some others I have been too!
Its members section never seems to be full and I think that the mediocrity of the stadium would have something to do with that! It’s okay to say the best.

Whilst most sports events I attend are at the MCG, I still groan every time I go to Etihad. It’s quite clear its privately run — the ‘big’ screen is still mediocre, food prices are exorbitant, and the atmosphere is often very dull. The only thing saving it are the seats of the third level are ok during events with big crowds, and I often see Hawthorn win a classic every so often… ;)

Etihad stadium gets you closer to the action than does the MCG. Even higher up you can still identify players and see the patterns of play. There are some good food options at the stadium although I think there’s something funny with the oil they use to make chips so stear away from those if you can.
One thing about Etihad is the rabbit warrens you walk through from the city side to get there. It is become quite an interesting walk over the bridge from Southern Cross station then under the bright lights of several tall futuristic office buildings to get there. Coming it from the Docklands side isn’t half as interesting.
One important tip, the ticket scanners can’t handle scanning bar codes off mobile phones, so you’ll have to go old school and print your tickets. Dark ages stuff, I know.

I have seen two big bash matches in the stadium from the club level — seats were good, servers who were to take orders (as I was told from the value of membership and seats) were not there, food ordered was decent, and finally, love the retractable roof!
Look forward to some footy there very soon!

Let’s face it… There will never be a more historic ground than the MCG in Melbourne. I’m not arguing with that, I actually agree. That being said though, I actually prefer the Etihad. It might be partly because the Kangas play better here than at other grounds and partly because of its location as well — Get off at Southern Cross and a short walk across the tracks along the bridge gets you there.
Etihad serves numerous purposes — footy games are held here, RMIT Uni holds their graduation here and there’s also cricket sometimes as well.
I guess it’s all relative and in the eyes of the visitor. The MCG will always be more historic, the atmosphere is more electric as well however Etihad is younger, is more conveniently located (in terms of walking distance and train/​tram connections) and has better corporate boxes.
Either way, it is well worth checking out and even go to the footy if you’re here during the season; it’s a great experience!

It’s an interesting experience Etihad Stadium as it has a mixture of positives and negatives. I have been coming to this stadium for a few years now to watch the AFL.
There’s nothing here that will surprise you. The food prices will make you roll your eyes a few times and the price for parking even more so. You might suffer from vertigo with how they rip you off. However, at least you can get parking at Etihad Stadium in comparison to the MCG. I have been to the MCG several times via car, and to my utter disappointment, you have a good chance the car park will be closed. Never had that issue with Etihad Stadium which earns 1 Unilocal star in its own right. Even if you’re not prepared to pay for parking, you can find some hidden places to park around the Docklands which could set you back anywhere between 10 to 15 minutes walk. Otherwise, just take the train.
The ideal experience is sitting on Level 2, however, you have to pay a lot more. Level 3 is also a good view, you’re closer to the ground than Level 3 seats at the MCG, so don’t fret if you couldn’t get Level 2 tickets.
When it comes down to this stadium, it’s all about how much you’re willing to spend. The atmosphere in general is okay, it’s never as lively or as epic as the MCG (as the MCG holds twice as many people).
There’s a few positives though, it’s a 5 minute walk from Southern Cross station and most times you can actually buy decent Level 2 seats where the MCG, you’re fighting to try and land a Level 2 seat that’s middle of the ground (don’t bet on it). If it’s raining, the roof will be closed so you won’t get wet. Nando’s is just outside the stadium if you feel hungry, but you might as well go out to a nice place to eat if you’re in the city anyway.
Otherwise, it’s an okay experience (after all, you’re attending an event, so the viewing should deliver), if you’re having a good time with family, friends or a loved one, you’re going to enjoy yourself anyway, just make sure you have booked dinner afterwards as it’s not worth spending the money on food here. Just avoid its unhealthy AND expensive menu.

Etihad Stadium is a ridiculously overpriced multi-​purpose stadium. Colonial washed their hands, Telstra tried and failed and Etihad figured they needed some advertising in Melbourne.
The best thing I have watched at this ground is the Big Bash League it is a much more intimate experience which is great. It’s an indoor stadium which is primarily used by the AFL, but most teams who play home games here are spending ridiculous amounts of money to use such a ground. The stadium with the roof open attracts a bad glare from the afternoon sun.
Watching A-​League here is beyond hopeless, especially comparing to Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (Currently sponsored as AAMI Park). The atmosphere here is dead and lifeless and getting to and away from the ground is hopeless.
For the sake of my AFL team and A-​League team who both unfortunately host games here I hope that alternatives are made and they stop having to use this horrible venue.

Etihad Stadium is Melbournes second large football (AFL) stadium, however it simply plays second fiddle to the MCG.
While the stadium itself does the job that it is supposed to do, it offers an overly sanitized experience of watching sport. It is too expensive in my opinion, the parking is particularly expensive, the food is too expensive and the atmosphere is rather dull.
Im not sure if I would be so critical were the MCG not in the same city however. The MCG is a world class arena and thus Etihad is always going to play the role of little brother to this brilliant stadium.
Etihad does have its advantages though — it is perfect for corporate viewing of footbally and it has excellent public transport connections, however I think that the lack of atmosphere really overshadows these assets. Lets face it, if we want to watch sport in total comfort we would watch it at home on tv — part of watching live sport is the cold and the wind and the outdoor experience. Etihad Stadium fails to offer this.

I have just «dined» at The Grille Restaurant at Etihad Stadium. The food was OK — just a steakhouse. The prices are a bit expensive. The foods came out cold and late. The service was totally inept. The waitress who brought out our first course did not know what it was. Our main waitress did not appear after taking our orders except to try and knock our wine over. Main courses were left to cool down on the bench. Coffee came before dessert which had to be chased up. Likewise my credit cards when I tried to pay bill and get out. It was embarrassing to take guests there.

You must come here for a game as a tourist. This stadium is specifically designed for the AFL (whereas other footy stadiums are actually cricket stadiums).
It is quite easy to get here via the free tram. We went to the Essendon and Sydney game today and it was awesome. It was my first game and the stadium was perfect for a great experience.
Don’t half step. Get traditional and get a meat pie with your beer.

Ethihad is not only home to many AFL Rules games but provides Melbourne with a great place to watch international acts and events from across the words platform. The location of this stadium proves to be difficult to access by car and can be quite step for parking, but really is a dream if you are taking public transport. Southern Cross Station formerly known as Spencer street station provides easy access to the stadium with a foot bridge adjoining the two. Etihad is also situated in the busy docklands precinct making it a great place to pick up a meal before had or enjoy a couple of drinks before a match at the surrounding bars and pubs.

Dear Etihad
Mark here, just offering my consolations.
Poor, poor Etihad. In another city, you’d be well loved. In Sydney, for example, Homebush stadium would make the punters love you, purely for your lack of awfulness. They’d enjoy your up-​and-​down atmosphere, because they’d know that you weren’t ANZ stadium.
But this isn’t another Sydney. This is Melbourne, and you’re not the MCG. You’ve screwed over too many AFL teams for us to love you. Besides, how can we love you if you keep changing your name?
Mark

I totally disagree with the other reviews about Etihad. Sure it’s not the MCG, it may be a little soulless but in any other city in Australia you would love to have such a multi-​purpose stadium.
All sorts of events are held here including AFL, A-​League soccer, concerts and so on.
The roof is a great feature and offers something different from the ‘G’ what would be the point of having another stadium the same?
The best thing about Etihad is the design. The stands are more vertical than other stadiums so you feel closer to the action and have a great view from higher up. It doesn’t have the atmosphere of the ‘G’ but when the roof is closed and there’s a packed house the noise in unbelievable.
It seems like a minor thing but the entry/​exit points are all wide open at the end of an event so getting out is a breeze and it’s a couple of minute stroll to Southern Cross station or 10 minutes into town.
The only real downside is that immediately surrounding the ground is Docklands which is a wasteland for anything other than apartment complexes. Hopefully this will one day change.

Its newer, the roof closes, its modern and it caters to the corporate crowd more than anyone else. Its no MCG, thats for sure.

Etihad Stadium is multi-​purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands precinct. It is mainly used for AFL but there are also often other sports played there including Soccer, Cricket, Rugby League and Rugby Union. It is a huge area so is also frequently used for concerts, functions and grand performances in the past Melbourne has seen acts such as Kiss, The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Bön Jovi.
Etihad Stadium is accessible by a short walk overt the Bourke Street Footbridge from Southern Cross Station, during major sporting events this footbridge does tend to get heavily congested with excited fans so do be careful if you are caught in amongst it on your way home from work or on they way out for the night.
Eithad Stadium has a range of food and beverage outlets available from quick and easy take-​away so you can get a snack while watching the game to al a carte and corporate dining for functions.
Opening hours vary depending on events