Manuka Oval

Manuka Oval is Canberra's home of Cricket and AFL. The picturesque venue has a seating capacity of 13,550 and overall capacity of 15,000, hosting BBL and international cricket matches, the annual Prime Minister's XI match and a number of GWS Giants AFL home games each year.

One of the features of the ground is the Jack Fingleton Scoreboard. This was originally the scoreboard at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, recycled when the MCG installed its first electronic board in the early 1980's. It was relocated to Manuka and named after the late Australian opening batsman who made his career as a political journalist in the corridors of Parliament House, just a few kilometres away.

Manuka Oval

Manuka Oval received a $9 million upgrade in 2001 further ensuring the ground's status as the permanent home for both Cricket and Australian Football in Canberra. Features of the redevelopment included new tiered seating, extending the terraces at the northern and southern ends with individual stadium seating, Inner bowl of stadium seating in front of concrete terraces, Two new toilet blocks and refurbishment of remaining toilets, Construction of a viewing bank on the eastern side to accommodate corporate marquees or portable seating, and Minor landscape improvements. Years later, a roof has been added to the majority of the tiered seating.

The installation of six new 47-metre high light towers was completed in 2013 at a cost of $5.3 million, with the venue now able to host night events including international cricket and AFL. A permanent video screen and additional seating was also installed during the venue's most recent upgrade. In late 2013, a new playing surface was installed with improved drainage and irrigation, new fence and player dugouts, and a new media centre opened in late 2018. The venue hosted its first Test Match in January 2019.

Manuka Oval Details

Location
Address
Manuka Circle, Griffith ACT 2603 GET DIRECTIONS
Capacity
15,000
Seats
13,550 (90% of capacity)
Record Crowd
15,807 - 22/01/1985 PMs XI v West Indies
Highest Crowd since 2003
14,974 - 30/07/16: AFL: GWS Giants v Richmond  
Lights
Yes
Arena Roof
No
Video Screen
Yes
Arena Dimensions
162.5 x 138.4
Opened
1929
Redeveloped
2018
Former/Other Names
StarTrack Oval
UNSW Canberra Oval
Sports Played
Cricket
Australian Football  
Home Teams
GWS Giants (AFL)
Sydney Thunder (BBL)  
Annual Events
PM's XI Tour Game
Historic Events
2015 Cricket World Cup
Last Event
Sat 13 Apr 2024: AFL: GWS Giants v St Kilda  
Next Event
Official Website
Transport
Free chartered buses depart from both the City & Woden Bus Stations to Manuka Oval. The closest train station to the venue is Kingston, the terminus for CountryLink services from around the country. Taxis are permitted to drop-off patrons at either the East or Main gate drives.
Parking
General Parking is available at Kingston & Manuka Shopping Centres, Kingston Oval and surrounding streets. The Eastern car park is for authorised or accreditation holders only.
Accommodation
See hotels near Manuka Oval VIEW ACCOMMODATION
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Information about Manuka Oval in Canberra including venue layout, history, records, events, map, tickets, directions and accommodation.
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