Proposed Melbourne Football Club headquarters
Interactive map of Caulfield Racecourse | |
| Address | Caulfield, Victoria |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 37°52′52″S 145°02′24″E / 37.881°S 145.040°E |
| Construction | |
| Construction cost | A$100 million (proposed)[1] |
The Caulfield Racecourse Reserve homebase is the proposed training facility and headquarters of the Melbourne Football Club, which would be located within the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve in the suburb of Caulfield.[2][3]
Under the proposal, the new facility would include two Australian rules football ovals, two multi-use sports fields and a pavillion.[4] It would be surrounded by the racetrack.[5]
History
Background
The Melbourne Football Club (MFC) has played its home matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) since 1889.[6] The club trained on the MCG until 1985, when it moved to Junction Oval in St Kilda.[7] In 2009, the club moved its training facilities to Casey Fields to Cranbourne East, and in late 2010 its football offices and indoor training facilities were moved to AAMI Park.[8] The club trains on the Gosch's Paddock public oval adjacent to the MCG.
In June 2018, the MFC proposed establishing its new headquarters next to Jolimont railway station, with a football oval located in Yarra Park.[9][10] After the Victorian state government said it did not support the proposal, plans were developed for a facility on the southern side of Gosch's Paddock.[11]
Other proposals discussed by the club included a small triangle-shaped piece of land inbetween Olympic Park Oval and AAMI Park, Melbourne University, Elsternwick Park and Docklands Stadium.[12]
Proposed Caulfield site
On 12 December 2023, the MFC announced that it had commenced a feasibility study to identify a location for the club's new headquarters within the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve.[13] The study was a partnership between the MFC, the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trust (CRRT), and "local community stakeholders".[13] The study was completed in September 2024.[14][15]
Under the proposal, a tunnel would be built underneath the racetrack.[16][17]
The MFC will move its training and administrative department to Waverley Park in Mulgrave in 2026 on an interim basis, before a planned move to the new Caulfield facility.[18][19]
See also
References
- ^ "Melbourne's goal unchanged after MRC carves up Caulfield Racecourse for $195m". Green Street News. 10 December 2024. Archived from the original on 11 March 2026. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ "Melbourne FC to investigate Caulfield Racecourse move". Austadiums. 17 December 2023. Archived from the original on 27 August 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ "Statement on Melbourne FC's Caulfield Racecourse Reserve feasibility study". Glen Eira City Council. 14 December 2023. Archived from the original on 14 April 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ Pert, Gary (18 September 2024). "Feasibility study complete: Creating our home". Melbourne Football Club. Archived from the original on 18 November 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ Dexter, Rachael (28 February 2024). "What would the Demons' move to Caulfield Racecourse mean for locals?". The Age. Archived from the original on 4 January 2026. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ Pascoe, Robert; Pennings, Mark (May 2009). "The Culture of Australian Football at the East Melbourne Cricket Ground, 1878–1921" (PDF). QUT. Sporting Traditions. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ Burgan, Matt (13 May 2010). "New facilities will boost spirits: Schwab". Melbourne Football Club. Archived from the original on 11 March 2026. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ Lavell, Steve (17 October 2008). "Demons hold fire on new home". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 11 March 2026. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ Ryan, Peter (20 June 2018). "Concept to build new Melbourne headquarters in early stages". The Age. Archived from the original on 14 June 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ Deale, Carla (20 June 2018). "Demons announce master plan for Yarra Park". ZeroHanger. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ Gleeson, Michael (24 July 2019). "Golly Gosch: Demons eye site for new home". The Age. Archived from the original on 20 January 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ Morris, Tom (18 August 2021). "Exclusive: Demons hatch plans to FINALLY solve eight-year problem". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 23 July 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Melbourne commences Caulfield feasibility study". Melbourne Football Club. 12 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 August 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ Ryan, Peter (18 September 2024). "Demons announce 'crucial milestone' in bid for Caulfield Racecourse move". The Age. Archived from the original on 23 July 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ "Demons Caulfield base progresses to business case phase". Austadiums. 19 September 2024. Archived from the original on 26 February 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ Sorati, Danielle (6 February 2023). "Demons reportedly hoping to build new Caulfield Racecourse training base". ZeroHanger. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ Tatnell, Paul (23 February 2025). "Caulfield racing suspension fear: Inside the talks over Melbourne Football Club's race course push". Betsy. Archived from the original on 11 March 2026. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ Twomey, Callum (1 December 2025). "Waverley on Demons' radar as new full-time base remains a focus". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 27 January 2026. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ^ Morris, Tom (10 March 2026). "Melbourne set to formalise interim move to Waverley Park". SEN. Archived from the original on 10 March 2026. Retrieved 10 March 2026.