Bellerive Oval, also known as Ninja Stadium for sponsorship, is a premier cricket and Australian rules football venue in Bellerive, Hobart, Tasmania. Established in 1914 as a community sports ground, it became Tasmania’s primary cricket venue in 1987. Hosting international matches since 1988, including Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, it is home to the Tasmanian Tigers, Hobart Hurricanes (BBL), and North Melbourne Football Club (AFL). With a capacity of 19,500, modern facilities like the David Boon and Ricky Ponting Stands, and a scenic Derwent River backdrop, it’s a key sporting hub, hosting around 260 events annually.
Bellerive Oval Seating Plan
Bellerive Oval (Ninja Stadium) in Hobart has a seating capacity of 19,500, with a mix of grandstands, smaller stands, and a traditional hill. The main stands are shared below.
- David Boon Stand (formerly Southern Stand): 5,800 seats, located on the southern side, offering prime views.
- Ricky Ponting Stand: On the western side, providing modern seating and facilities.
- Members’ Pavilion: A three-level structure on the northern side for members, with premium seating.
- Smaller Stands: Scattered around the oval, including corporate and accessible seating areas.
- The Hill: On the eastern boundary, a standing-room area popular for general admission.
The layout surrounds the 175m x 135m oval, with wheelchair-accessible seating and five lifts for accessibility. Temporary seating can boost capacity for major events.
Bellerive Oval Seating Capacity
Bellerive Oval has a seating and standing capacity of 19,500, making it Tasmania’s second-largest stadium after York Park in Launceston (21,000). Temporary seating for high-demand events, such as BBL finals and AFL matches, has pushed attendance above 20,000, with a record of 20,200 for a 2023 Hobart Hurricanes semi-final. The venue features three main stands: the David Boon Stand (formerly Southern Stand, 5,800 seats), the Ricky Ponting Stand, and the Members’ Pavilion, alongside smaller stands and a traditional hill on the eastern boundary. Accessibility is prioritized with wheelchair-accessible seating, five lifts, and companion tickets for mobility-impaired patrons.
Bellerive Oval History and Establishment
Bellerive Oval, located in Bellerive, a suburb on the eastern shore of Hobart, Tasmania, is a premier cricket and Australian rules football venue, currently known as Ninja Stadium for sponsorship reasons. The land was acquired by the Clarence City Council in 1913, and the venue was officially opened in 1914 as the Bellerive Recreation Ground. It initially served as a community sports field but became the headquarters of Tasmanian cricket in the 1987–88 season, replacing the TCA Ground. Significant upgrades began in the 1960s, with clubrooms built in 1961 and a small grandstand in 1963. In 1977, after Tasmania joined the Sheffield Shield, the Tasmanian Cricket Association (TCA) invested $2.2 million to construct new grandstands, training nets, a hill, and a three-level Members’ Pavilion, completed in 1986.
Major redevelopments occurred between 2000–2002, costing $16 million, including a 6,000-seat Southern Stand (now David Boon Stand) and state-of-the-art facilities. Further upgrades included floodlights in 2009 and the Ricky Ponting Stand, completed in 2015, boosting capacity. The first international match, an ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, was held in 1988, followed by Tasmania’s first Test match in 1989 between Australia and Sri Lanka. The venue has since hosted regular international cricket, including Test matches, ODIs, and T20Is, and is home to the Tasmanian Tigers, Hobart Hurricanes (Big Bash League), and North Melbourne Football Club (AFL), which plays three home games annually since 2012.
Bellerive Oval Ticket Prices
Ticket prices at Bellerive Oval vary based on the event type, seat location, and game significance. General admission tickets typically start at $15–$20 for domestic matches like Big Bash League games or AFL fixtures. Prices for premium seating, corporate areas, or international matches (e.g., Test matches or ODIs) can be higher, often ranging from $30 to $100 or more, depending on facilities and demand. For example, low-cost standing-room tickets (around $3) have been noted for AFL games but may not include seating. Tickets can be purchased through authorized partners like Ticketmaster or Ticketek, with accessible seating available via Ticketek’s hotline. Always use trusted websites to avoid scams. Exact 2024–25 season prices should be checked on official ticketing platforms.