🚨 Collingwood Announces Plans for First-Ever Stadium: A 65,000-Seat Fortress for the Magpie Army
In what is being hailed as one of the most significant announcements in club history, Collingwood Football Club has confirmed plans to build its own purpose-built stadium—an iconic 65,000-seat venue that will serve as the heart and soul of the Magpie Army. The announcement marks the end of decades of speculation, debate, and hope among supporters who have long dreamed of a black-and-white fortress exclusively for Collingwood.
For over a century, Collingwood has shared some of Australia’s most famous grounds—most notably the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)—with rival clubs and sports. But for the first time, the Pies will call a stadium their own, creating a modern home that celebrates the club’s rich traditions while ushering in a bold new era.
—
A New Home for a Giant of the Game
Collingwood has long been one of the biggest and most passionately supported clubs in Australian sport, boasting more than 100,000 members and an enormous following nationwide. Despite this, they have never had a stadium they could fully claim as their own. While the MCG has been an extraordinary stage for many of the club’s greatest triumphs, it has also been shared ground—a place where rival clubs, cricket, and other events dominate the calendar.
The new stadium, designed with a capacity of 65,000 seats, will be a statement of independence. Club president Jeff Browne described it as “a once-in-a-generation project that gives Collingwood its own home—a place where black and white will always come first.”
—
The Vision: Tradition Meets Innovation
Early concept designs reveal a modern venue that blends cutting-edge architecture with nods to the club’s heritage. The exterior will feature striking black-and-white accents, while the concourse and entryways will be adorned with murals celebrating Collingwood legends from Gordon Coventry to Nathan Buckley.
Inside, the stadium will prioritize fan experience. Features include:
Steep grandstands to create a fortress-like atmosphere and bring fans closer to the action.
State-of-the-art facilities including giant video boards, retractable roofing sections, and modern corporate suites.
Community zones with interactive spaces for families, training grounds, and grassroots football development programs.
Magpie Museum, a dedicated section of the stadium celebrating the history, trophies, and stories that have defined Collingwood’s legacy.
Most importantly, the stadium has been designed to generate the intimidating noise and energy Collingwood fans are famous for. With acoustics tailored to amplify crowd roars, the Magpie Army will have the power to create a true “home-ground advantage” like never before.
—
Economic and Community Impact
The new stadium is not just a win for Collingwood fans—it represents a major boost for the broader community. The club estimates that construction will create thousands of jobs, with ongoing operations providing further employment opportunities. The surrounding precinct will include restaurants, public spaces, and transport links designed to turn match days into full-day events for families and visitors.
Community groups will also benefit, with the club pledging to make parts of the stadium available for local sports, charity events, and youth programs. Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly highlighted the stadium as “a home for the community as much as it is for the Magpies. This is about legacy, opportunity, and creating something that will last for generations.”
—
Fans React: A Dream Come True
For Collingwood fans, this announcement has been nothing short of historic. Social media exploded with excitement following the reveal, with supporters describing the move as “a dream decades in the making.”
Many older fans recall years of debate about whether Collingwood should pursue its own stadium or remain entrenched at the MCG. That debate has now been settled with a bold commitment to independence, while still ensuring the Pies will continue to play blockbuster matches and finals at the MCG.
One fan wrote: “We’ve shared grounds for too long. Now we finally have our own fortress—this will change everything.” Another declared: “65,000 screaming Magpie fans in one place? Good luck to anyone trying to play us at home.”
—
What It Means for the AFL Landscape
The creation of a Collingwood-specific stadium is likely to reshape the AFL’s match-day landscape. While the MCG will remain the home of grand finals and mega-events, the Magpies’ new ground could host the bulk of their home games, adding a fierce new layer of rivalry to the competition.
For the AFL, the addition of a new 65,000-seat venue is a boost to the sport’s infrastructure, giving the league more options to spread games and enhance fan engagement. It also sets a precedent—other major clubs may now consider similar moves to strengthen their identities and deepen connections with supporters.
—
A Fortress for the Future
The new stadium is more than bricks and seats—it is a symbol of Collingwood’s evolution. From humble beginnings in the working-class suburb of Collingwood to becoming one of the most powerful sporting clubs in Australia, the Magpies have always been defined by their people.
Now, those people will have a fortress to call home. A place where every seat is black and white, every cheer echoes for Collingwood, and every young fan can dream of playing on the turf beneath the famous Magpie crest.
As construction begins and anticipation builds, one thing is certain: the Magpie Army has finally found its nest. And when the gates open for the first time, Australian sport will witness the birth of a new landmark—the house that Collingwood built.
