Punt Road Oval - the spiritual home of Richmond Football Club since 1885 - will roar to life through a state-of-the-art redevelopment, backed by the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos joined the Tigers' CEO Shane Dunne to officially kick off construction, which will deliver a new, two-level grandstand, and ensure Richmond remains in Richmond.
The project is backed by a $20 million Labor Government investment with additional funding from the Commonwealth Government, Australian Football League and Richmond Football Club. It's expected to be complete by 2027.
The new Jack Dyer Stand will accommodate more fans than the current stand, which will be demolished.
It will include new AFL/AFLW changerooms, player spaces, recovery facilities and strength and conditioning areas, alongside an underground car park and a landscape terrace.
The oval itself will also be expanded and realigned to meet AFLW standards, making it the same size as the MCG, including new lighting to transform the on-field playing space for Richmond and all visiting teams.
This will enable more AFLW game days to be played at Punt Road, in a boost for Richmond's AFLW team, as they look to improve on last year's seventh-placed finish.
The wider community will also benefit with the Punt Road Oval facilities home to community partner organisations including the Korin Gamadji Institute, Bachar Houli Foundation and Melbourne Indigenous Transition School.
The latest investment is part of the Labor Government's focus to level the playing field for women and girls in sport.
More than $100 million has been invested to help upgrade Australian football facilities across the state, including providing elite facilities for all 10 Victorian AFLW clubs.
As stated by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
"Punt Road Oval is an iconic sporting venue."
"It's been home to the Tigers for around 140 years ─ and this development will ensure footy, fans and the community will continue to benefit from this facility for many years to come."
As stated by Richmond Football Club CEO Shane Dunne
"We are incredibly grateful the State Government shares our vision for this iconic site and our commitment to re-establish Punt Road Oval as a community asset and state-of-the-art facility for men's and women's sport."
"It's a very exciting time for our Club and again, we thank the State Government for their critical support along with the Federal Government, the AFL and the generous contributions of major supporters and fans."
