THERE might be talk of one day moving the Boxing Day test match away from the MCG, but not many would have considered Mars Stadium as a viable option to watch the game.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But this year, that's all going to change with a Boxing Day event complete with test cricket - on the big screen that is - to take place at the North Ballarat Sports Club.
The idea has been crafted as a fun, family-friendly event for people wanting to have a social and relaxed day out after the always hectic Christmas Day.
North Ballarat Sports Club chief executive Scott Seward said the day will be held around the the new terrace the club has recently opened.
"We've launched a new area at the club which is an El Fresco, outdoor dining area," Mr Seward said.
"We've got Rebellion Barbecue bringing their smoker down, so we'll have pulled pork and beef brisket burgers, there will also be a pop-up bar outside, we've also got some giveaways through XXXX Gold, and what's more we'll also have cricket on the big screen."
We've got Rebellion Barbecue bringing their smoker down...and what's more we'll have the cricket on the big screen
- North Ballarat CEO Scott Seward
The new area has been designed to overlook the stadium and provide a perfect view of the oval. This will be the first major event in the new terrace.
"We're keen to to activate the area on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, we're doing some acoustic sessions, but this will be our first major event," he said. "Our plan is to do something similar on Australia Day.
"We're keen to have a band and music playing and make it a backyard-style Australia Day barbecue. Our goal would be to perhaps have the Australian Open tennis on the big screen for that, but we've still got a bit to work through there."
Mars Stadium is set to be far from dormant during the summer with the Western United A-League club set to play four home matches, with the first game next weekend (December 28) against Wellington Phoenix.
Three more matches will be played in the new year against Brisbane Roar on February 16, Western Sydney on March 29 and Melbourne City on April 10.
And the big event of the summer is on February 29 when Ballarat hosts its first Nitro Circus with a crowd of more than 10,000 expected to fill the venue.
Have you signed up to The Courier's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.
