Marie-Antoinette Issa, Author at Concrete Playground

If your love for Melbourne typically leans into laneways, lattes and designer fashion labels — conveniently forgetting its status as the sporting capital of Australia — then you may not have had the opportunity to check out Marvel Stadium. But there are plenty of reasons to pay the stadium a visit when it's not a game day — here are some of our favourites. The World-Class Events Beyond the regularly scheduled AFL programming, Marvel Stadium regularly hosts an array of concerts and live performances. This year, it has played host to P!nk's Summer Carnival Tour, the biggest-selling tour for a female artist at the Stadium. There are plans to welcome Coldplay for their Music of the Spheres World Tour, Pearl Jam's Dark Matter World Tour, and the return of the highly anticipated Stadium Golf, where people can tee off from Levels 1, 2 and 3 onto the transformed field of play. Check out more world-class events on the website. The Elevated Experience Spaces Most global cities in the world pride themselves on their world-class venues. Melbourne is no exception, with the $225 million refurbishment of Marvel Stadium elevating its status to one of the busiest multi-purpose stadiums on earth. Marvel Stadium's refurbishment has introduced revamped facilities and improved accessibility across the board. This means it's now full of impressive function spaces with the capacity to accommodate up to 10,000 guests for formal dinners, galas and major conferences. In the aptly named Skyline Room, guests can enjoy panoramic views of Melbourne City from the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, entering the space via Penfolds Champagne Bar. The venue's main entry point, Gates 2 and 3, has also been transformed into Stadium Square, a modern precinct that serves as a gateway to all things entertainment. This two-level hub features a massive Super Screen for live broadcasts, making it an ideal spot for live-site watch parties of events like the Super Bowl and NBA Finals. Stadium Square is also an ideal space to soak up the atmosphere before or after a game or concert, with food outlets such as Earl, 8Bit Burgers, bars, restaurants — more dining options below. Marvel Stadium is also the first in the southern hemisphere to feature a checkout-free retail offering, 'The Runner,' powered by Amazon's Just Walk Out technology. An Australian Exclusive Retail Store If you're a Marvel megafan (or happen to know one), the on-site Super-Store is one to put on your hit list. Located at the Gate 5 entrance, the outlet is the ultimate destination for exclusive Marvel products. Whether you're looking for collectible bobbleheads, superhero apparel or toys, this dedicated Marvel merchandise store is the only one of its kind in Australia, offering a shopping experience that is as thrilling as a down-to-the-buzzer game at the stadium itself. The store also sells AFL merch if you have a sports superfan in your life. The Super-Store is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, with extended hours on event days. The Wide Range of New Dining Options It's no secret that Melburnians take their food seriously. Marvel Stadium does a pretty good job of dishing up some top-notch culinary offerings. Start with a feed at Stadium Square, where you will find everything from casual bites to gourmet meals. Additional dining selections are available at Gate 5 and include Korean fried chicken from Gami Chicken, burgers by 8Bit as mentioned, Hunky Dory's famed fish and chips, Greek grub at Yamas, and 400 Gradi Pronto's delicious pizzas. The Peroni Bar and Craft Bar offers cracking craft bevvies, and event-day drinks (and excellent field vistas) are available on the menu at View Bar and The Johnnie Walker Bar. For breathtaking views and an unforgettable atmosphere our tip is to take the glass elevator through Gate 5 straight up to the Stadium Rooftop, only open on event days. In addition to panoramic views of the Melbourne City Skyline, this space features two themed bars, Edward and Alfred, slinging a curated selection of beverages to provide a top-tier experience (literally and figuratively). The Highlight Dining Experiences: Friends of Fire and Amphora For those with champagne tastes, Marvel Stadium has you covered with two elevated epicurean experiences. Both venues are spearheaded by renowned culinary directors Shannon Martinez and Aaron Rodrigues, so you know the menus are going to be a step up from the type of food you have come to expect at a football stadium. Friends of Fire, an American-style steakhouse, focuses on woodfired barbecue grilling and Southern, New England and New York City-style fare, while modern diner Amphora offers share plates and towers for seafood, meat lovers and vegans to show there's more to American cuisine than just burgers and hot dogs. Whether you're a local Marvel fan or an interstate traveller on the hunt for an elevated experience (in more ways than one), there's always something happening at the revamped Marvel Stadium. Not just for Marvel fans or sports enthusiasts, this multi-purpose venue caters to all walks of life. Come and see for yourself. For more information about what's on at Marvel Stadium or to book tickets to one of its events, visit the website.

Marie-Antoinette Issa

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