A PTV spokesperson said both additional trains to Ballarat and shuttle bus services between the station and Eureka Stadium will be considered for the two matches hosted by the Western Bulldogs in 2017.

City of Ballarat is in the midst of preparing its traffic management plan. The plan will establish procedures for event attendances of 2000, 4000, 6000 and 10,000 people.

It’s unclear how many are expected to attend the maiden match, but with the Bulldogs’ rising membership, Ballarat’s football orientated community and the potential for visitors from across rural Victoria, the initial game could attract the 11,000 required to fill the newly developed stadium.

Central to the success of the occasion will be how parking is managed, with only limited spots available inside Eureka Stadium. Ballarat Showgrounds, Creswick Road and Howitt Street loom as the most viable parking locations.

Thousands could also use the Ballarat rail line to get to the game. A conservative figure of 2000 commuters would require 41 bus trips between Ballarat Station and Eureka Stadium on 48-seat buses.

“The Public Transport Users Association would support the idea of coaches from Ballarat and Wendouree stations that connected with trains from Melbourne, as many people would come to Ballarat by train,” PTUA Ballarat branch convener Ben Lever said.