The Dons are heading to Ballarat this Saturday to take on St Kilda!
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCH
St Kilda v Essendon
3:10pm (AEDT), Saturday 28th of February 2026
Mars Stadium, Ballarat – Wadawurrung
WHAT'S ON IN BALLARAT
Footy is coming to Ballarat and there is plenty on offer with Ballarat's Match Weekend Deals. Click here to see what is available for you and your family.
TICKETING AND MEMBERSHIP
The AAMI Community Series practice match between Essendon and St Kilda is a fully ticketed event.
All ticket allocations for Mars Stadium have now been exhausted, and the match is officially sold out. Please note that scanning your Essendon membership card will not provide access to the game.
Venues across Ballarat are getting behind the AFL Community Series, with match-ticket holders able to access special gameday offers from 27 February to 1 March (operator/venue conditions apply). There will be 15+ offers across the city, from discounts at major attractions to delicious footy-themed pastries. See all the latest deals and plan your trip here.
To retrieve your ticket, simply log in to your Ticketmaster account and open your purchased ticket.
If you have any questions or require further assistance, you can contact our friendly membership team from Monday-Friday (9am to 5pm) on 03 8340 2000 or at membership@essendonfc.com.au.
VENUE INFORMATION
725 Creswick Rd, Ballarat, Victoria, 3355.
Gates will open at 2:00pm (AEDT), enter via Gate 1 on Creswick Rd.
Please note that all tickets are for reserved seating. Personal chairs, picnic blankets, and sun tents are not permitted inside the venue.
Additionally, pets are not allowed within the stadium.
GETTING TO THE GAME
There will be no on-site parking available on Saturday, however, there is street parking around the stadium.
Angled parking is available on Norman St and Creswick Rd.
Accessible parking is available at North Ballarat Sports Club (entry via Creswick Rd). Please be aware that there is limited space available.
The PTV bus route #30 will take you to Mars Stadium with a stop on Creswick Rd.
If you’re planning to drive to the game, we recommend arriving early to allow plenty of time to secure a parking spot.
BROADCAST
If you are unable to attend the match, you don’t have to miss the game, tune in on Fox Footy or Kayo from 3:00pm (AEDT) to watch the Bombers take on the Saints.
