Chief Minister, Andrew Barr has announced a number of upgrades for Manuka Oval as more world class sporting events line up to play in Canberra.
Mr Barr said up to $2.7 million would be allocated for new roof canopies at the Oval to provide more shade for up to 1,000 seats by late 2019, with the funding also including a camera deck.
“The new multi-use Media and Function Centre also provides shade for almost 500 seats, and is a great facility for corporate events during AFL and cricket games as well as community events on non-game days,” Mr Barr said.
He said he was pleased to see the Media and Function Centre being fully utilised for the first time at Canberra’s inaugural International Test Cricket Match starting this week (Friday 1 February).
“Manuka Oval is a great place to watch live sport,” Mr Barr said.
“These upgrades create an even better experience for AFL and cricket fans, and have put Canberra on the map as a host for world-class sport.”
He said Canberra had been selected to host five ICC Women’s T20 World Cup matches in February 2020.
“This will be the first time the tournament has been played in Australia and the first time the women’s competition has been staged as a standalone event.”
He said Manuka Oval would play host to seven of the world’s best women’s teams in a festival of cricket across three consecutive days with defending champions Australia on show under lights on Thursday 27 February 2020, the middle day of the Manuka Oval program.
“Hosting women’s matches as part of the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 will deliver extensive international media coverage and profiling opportunities for Canberra through the tournament’s global broadcast, which will serve to further enhance Canberra’s reputation as a world-class events and tourism destination,” Mr Barr said.
