Adelaide Oval

Adelaide Oval is a sports ground in Adelaide, South Australia, located in the parklands between the city centre and North Adelaide. The venue is predominantly used for cricket and Australian rules football, but has also played host to rugby league, rugby union, soccer, tennis among other sports as well as regularly being used to hold concerts.  Austadiums.com described Adelaide Oval as being "one of the most picturesque Test cricket grounds in Australia, if not the world". After the completion of the ground‘s most recent redevelopment in 2014, sports journalist Gerard Whateley described the venue as being "the most perfect piece of modern architecture because it's a thoroughly contemporary stadium with all the character that it's had in the past".

Adelaide Oval has been headquarters to the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) since 1871 and South Australian National Football League (SANFL) since 2014. The stadium is managed by the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority (AOSMA). Its record crowd for cricket was 55,317 for the Second Ashes Test on 2 December 2017 and its record crowd for an Australian rules football match was 62,543 at the 1965 SANFL Grand Final between Port Adelaide and Sturt.

In 1871 the ground was established after the formation of South Australian Cricket Association.

In 1874 a side representing England led by W.G. Grace defeated a South Australian side by 7 wickets in what was the first international cricket match at the ground.

During 1888 a switchback roller coaster was constructed and was adjacent to Adelaide Oval where the present Riverbank Stand resides.

In 1900 a picket fence was put in place around Oval's playing surface.

In 1911 the current Adelaide Oval scoreboard, designed by architect Kenneth Milne, began service and the clock was added a year later.

In 1990 the Sir Donald Bradman Stand was built to replace the John Creswell stand and provided up to date facilities for spectators.

In 1997 lights were constructed at the ground allowing sport to be held at night. This was the subject of a lengthy dispute with the Adelaide City Council relating to the parklands area. The first towers erected were designed to retract into the ground; however one collapsed and they were replaced with permanent towers.

In 2003 two grandstands, named the Chappell Stands, after the South Australian cricketing brothers Ian Chappell, Greg Chappell and Trevor Chappell were completed.

Temporary stands were constructed for the 2006 Ashes Series to cope with demand. In August 2008 the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) announced that it had approved plans to redevelop the ground, involving expanding its capacity to 40,000. Development plans showed a reconfiguration of the playing surface and a remodelled western stand. The redevelopment would make the ground a viable option for hosting Australian Football League games as well as international soccer and rugby. The state and federal Governments each pledged $25m to the project, leaving the SACA to raise at least $45m. The SACA planned for the new stand to be ready in time for the 2010–11 Ashes series. The South Australian government announced it would commit funding to redevelop Adelaide Oval into a multi-purpose sports facility that would bring AFL football to central Adelaide. Announcing an agreement negotiated with SACA, SANFL and the AFL, the Rann Labor government committed $450 million to the project.

The three original western stands were demolished (George Giffen stand (1882), Sir Edwin Smith stand (1922), Mostyn Evan stand (1920s) were torn down in June 2009 and a single Western stand was developed in its place ahead of the 2010–11 Ashes series. The Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority (AOSMA), a joint venture of SACA and the South Australian National Football League (SANFL), was registered as a company on 23 December 2009 following the re-announcement of the plan. The AOSMA has eight directors, four associated with SACA (Ian McLachlan-Chair, John Harnden, Creagh O’Connor & John Bannon) and four with SANFL (Leigh Whicker-CEO, Rod Payze, Philip Gallagher & Jamie Coppins).

In 2010 the new Western stand was completed incorporating 14,000 individual seats and features improved shading conditions and amenities for SACA members. In the lead up to the 2010 state election, the opposition SA Liberals announced that, if elected, it would build with a new stadium with a roof, located at Riverside West at the site of the state government's new Royal Adelaide Hospital location. The incumbent SA Labor government subsequently announced it would fund a $450 million upgrade and redevelopment of the whole of Adelaide Oval, rather than just the Western Grand Stand. Labor narrowly won re-election in 2010, resulting in its Adelaide Oval upgrade policy going ahead though eventually for a steeper $535 million, of which this deal included the State Government clearing the SACA's $85 million debt.

The redevelopment included a $40 million pedestrian bridge across the River Torrens to link the Adelaide railway station precinct with the Adelaide Oval precinct, which was partially completed for the Ashes cricket series in December 2013 and fully completed ahead of the 2014 AFL season.

The upgrade commenced in April 2012. By 2014 the new Eastern Stand was fully completed with a total capacity of 19,000, bringing the overall seating capacity of the stadium to 50,083 in time for the 2014 AFL season.  With over 2100 square metres of grass, and almost 900 square metres of viewing platforms.

All stands of the Oval were redeveloped and upgraded while the already rebuilt Western grandstand (SACA and SANFL members only stand) had modifications to improve sight lines for some seats and the addition of a new media center and AFL standard interchange benches, the Northern Mound had its seating capacity increased, and the Historic Wooden Scoreboard and the much loved at the Oval are the leafy Moreton Bay fig trees, some of which were planted as far back as the 1890s, remained untouched.  As stated the Northern Mound, the Moreton Bay fig trees and the Scoreboard are all heritage listed and will likely never be demolished unless damaged beyond repair. This is the only manual scoreboard still operating in major Australasian cricket venues. Due to the 10-letter limit, some names had to be truncated, or be replaced by nicknames. Following a vote by SACA members in favour of the redevelopment of the oval, the South Australian government increased its funding commitment to $535 million.

In late 2020 The Adelaide Oval had completed the build the oval's first ever Hotel.  The Boutique Hotel has 138 guest rooms offers contemporary design, enhanced by custom furnishing and in-room technology.  They promise that every part of your experience has been carefully considered, from your welcome drink on arrival through to thoughtful extras included in your stay.  From the moment you take in your expansive view of Adelaide’s historic parklands, you’ll know you’re in a place unlike any other. 

Why not Wine and Dine at one of their Restaurant(s) or even have a function or a conference or meetings at the Adelaide Oval?  With 23 purpose-built function rooms, corporate suites, BBQ Terraces, the Audi Stadium Club and the exceptional Hill of Grace Restaurant.  Adelaide Oval is a flexible venue.

Adelaide Oval offers a RoofClimb offers unparalleled 360 degree views of Adelaide and beyond, from our stunning coastline to picturesque foothills. They have specially trained Roof Climb Leaders guide you across the rooftop of the iconic Oval’s Western Stand before navigating to the Riverbank platform, perched 50 metres over the hallowed turf. Sit in the world’s first rooftop stadium seats and learn the secrets and stories that shaped Adelaide’s rich history.  See the Adelaide Oval from an entirely different perspective.

Do a Stadium Tour and visit a number of areas that are usually inaccessible and learn about the heritage and significance of Adelaide Oval. Go behind closed doors with their expert volunteer guides share captivating tales of the history of the venue, the sporting greats who have competed there and the Oval’s iconic status in SA.  Experience climbing the stairs to the 100-year-old plus heritage-listed scoreboard, enjoy the birds-eye view of the impressive Adelaide City landscape and gaining an insight into match-day preparations inside the players’ change-rooms, visit their museum – all of these experiences and many more are included on a Stadium Tour.

The Adelaide Oval is an unique and iconic place, which is within minutes from the vibrant city centre and just a short walk to Adelaide's various iconic places eg St Peter's Cathedral, River Torrens attractions including the Iconic Popeye and take a ride to the Adelaide Zoo, and so much more.

The Layout

The oval dimensions were originally 190m x 125m, both unusually long and unusually narrow for an Australian cricket/football ground. The arrangement was highly favourable for batsmen who played square of the wicket, and heavily penalised bowlers who delivered the ball short or wide so that the batsman could play cut, hook or pull shots. Before the far ends in front of and behind the wicket were roped off, making the playing area shorter, it was not uncommon for batsmen to hit an all-run four or even occasionally a five.

Pitch

The Adelaide Oval pitch runs North-South. Historically, Adelaide Oval's integral pitch was generally very good for batting, and offering little assistance to bowlers until the last day of a match. Since the redevelopment in 2013, a drop-in pitch has been used at the venue.

Oval

With the 2011–2014 redevelopment completed, the oval dimensions changed to 183m x 134m, making it more suitable for Australian Rules Football, for which the playing field dimensions will be 167m x 124m.

The Hill

The Hill was created in 1898 with earth from the banks of the River Torrens. The Hill for almost all sporting events at the ground is general admission and is often home to the most vocal supporters during cricket matches. The ease of people congregating on The Hill and the proximity to the Adelaide Oval Scoreboard bar is often cited as the reason why the most enthusiastic cricket supporters and barrackers choose The Hill to watch matches.

The Scoreboard

The current scoreboard located on The Hill was first used in 1911 and still shows its original Edwardian architecture. The scoreboard is listed on the City of Adelaide Heritage Register, helping to maintain the charm of the ground. There is a bar located under the scoreboard.

Members' Stands

The members' stands were the first section of the ground completed in the most recent redevelopment of Adelaide Oval. They retain significant portions of the original members' stand such as the brick archways and long room. The three segments are named after South Australian Cricket identities going north to south they are the Sir Edwin Smith Stand, Sir Donald Bradman Pavilion and the Chappell Stand.

Riverbank Stand

The Riverbank stand is the southern stand of Adelaide Oval and gains its name from the River Torrens.

Eastern Stands

The Eastern Stand holds 19,000 spectators. The five segments are named after South Australian Australian rules football identities going North to South they are the Gavin Wanganeen Stand, Jack Oatey Stand, Max Basheer Stand, Fos Williams Stand, and Mark Ricciuto Stand.

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