Queen Elizabeth Oval Upgrades Set Stage for Bendigo Football Finals Preview

The Bendigo Regional Sports Complex on Lansell Street will open its upgraded night lighting system on 15 August 2026, allowing the Queen Elizabeth Oval to host two finals preview matches under lights for the first time.

The timing aligns with the final month of the regular Bendigo Football League season, when clubs begin shifting focus from weekly points to September elimination games. Council records show the project received final sign-off in late June after delays from supply chain issues with imported LED towers.

Players from the Bendigo Football Club based at the oval and junior squads from the Strathfieldsaye Football Netball Club will use the new 1200-lux beams during a closed training session next month. The lights replace 1980s metal halide fittings that had drawn complaints from visiting teams about uneven coverage near the southern goal posts.

Capacity and ticket details

Seating has also been increased by 650 places with new aluminium bleachers installed along the western sideline, bringing total capacity to 8,500. Ticket prices for the 5 September preview double-header start at $22 for adults and $8 for juniors, with family passes capped at $55. Sales open through the Bendigo Stadium box office on View Street from 20 July.

Attendance at last year’s equivalent preview event reached 6,200 despite the old lighting restrictions, according to league figures released in April. The extra seating and improved illumination are expected to lift that number above 7,800, based on advance bookings already logged by the league office.

Next steps for supporters

Residents in the nearby Kennington and Flora Hill neighbourhoods can walk to the ground via the shared path along Bridge Street once works finish. Those driving should use the overflow car park behind the Bendigo Showgrounds to avoid street closures on match days. Full fixture details and reserved seating maps will be posted on the league website by the end of next week.