Windy Hill has been the spiritual home of the Bombers since the early 1920’s. With history etched into its walls, the venue stands as a true symbol of the Bomber spirit.
The famous ground is set to take another leap forward in history, with the Essendon Football Club proudly announcing some major transformations happening at the venue during the off-season.
In 2023, after more than three decades of the ground not being utilised for national level competitive matches, a new chapter in its history commenced, with Essendon’s AFLW team bringing the stands back to life as the Club.
This history making event brought the red and black back to the stands, with crowds rolling in full of pride and passion once again.
The 2025 NAB AFLW season saw some of the most passionate and lively crowds the Dons have seen to date. More than 15,000 dedicated fans poured through the gates over six home games, placing the venue in the top five most attended AFLW grounds across the home and away season.
From Indigenous Round to Community Round and Pride Round, Windy Hill became more than a football ground. It evolved into a place for celebration of community and connection, thanks to the continuous backing of the loyal Bomber Army.
“The atmosphere at Windy Hill is incredible, and it’s thanks to the unwavering support of our Bomber faithful,” Essendon Football Club CEO Craig Vozzo said.
“It’s been a true joy watching Essendon fans turn the iconic Reynolds Stand red and black once again this season, supporting a team that gave their all every single week.”
Demolition and redevelopment works are already underway to improve the current state of the venue’s facilities, kicking off with the transformation of the ground's change rooms.
“We’re thrilled to be entering 2026 with some really exciting refurbishments happening at Windy Hill,” Vozzo said.
“We’re looking forward to providing fans and players with new and improved facilities, and the wider community who utilise the Windy Hill facility in several ways. We’re confident that these changes will solidify the longevity of our spiritual home.”
More details on the changes happening at Windy Hill include:
- New home and away changerooms completed in line with AFL venue guidelines for AFLW standard games
- New game day umpire changerooms
- New team meeting room
- New AFL standard benches for home, away sides and officials
- New concourse to support accessibility in front of grandstands
- New multipurpose education spaces
Windy Hill remains a fortress for the Bomber spirit, and it will continue to serve as a place of unity and passion for the Club for generations to come.
