Stadium gears up for action-packed fortnight of huge events

GMHBA Stadium is gearing up for an action-packed fortnight with a range of major events on the way.

Starting on Sunday with the Carols by Candlelight, the ground will then be transformed into a cricket pitch on January 3 for a women’s and men’s Big Bash League double-header between the Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers.

Three days later, in a prime-time Saturday fixture, A-League powerhouse Melbourne Victory will take on Central Coast Mariners.

Although Victory has been bringing home-and- away matches down the highway for several years, the cricket contest will be the first time Big Bash sides have competed for points in Geelong.

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust CEO Michael Brown said he was optimistic local cricket fans would turn out in big numbers for the slogfest.

“We’re hoping for a huge crowd,” he said. “I’d love to see anything between 15,000 and 20,000 if not more pack the stadium, but we’ll wait and see what happens.”

Mr Brown said scheduling the A-League match for 5.30pm on a Saturday should be more inviting than previous matches, which fell on different days of the week.

“We’ve done a lot of work with the local people to work out what’s the best time,” he said.

The stadium boss is also hopeful strong crowds will further Geelong’s case to have its own sides in the Big Bash and A-League.

He said Geelong had the best regional stadium in Australia and was ready to take on more sports. “We’re open for business and we want to attract a whole range of events,” Mr Brown said.

“I hope people come along because we’ll only get more teams and opportunities if they do.”

This Sunday’s Carols by Candlelight runs from 8 to 10pm, with gates open from 5pm.