Manuka Oval - Venue

Manuka Oval’s rich and diverse history has proved integral in its continuous use as an iconic sporting venue. With a seating capacity of 13,550, the venue remains the premier site for cricket and AFL events in Canberra.

The Manuka Oval precinct retains much of its original tree plantings from the 1920s with the area named by the designer and architect of Canberra- Sir Walter Burley Griffin. On site, the original curator’s cottage and the Lord’s Taverners garden add a certain charm to what is often referred to as one of the most iconic boutique sporting venues in the country.

The first cricket match was played at Manuka Oval on 19 April 1930, before the Bradman pavilion which was opened in 1963 by Sir Donald Bradman.

In 1982, the old Melbourne scoreboard was removed from the MCG and the face was transported to Canberra and rebuilt. It was named after Jack Fingleton, former Australian opening batsman, confidante of Sir Robert Menzies and first PM’s XI skipper.

Lights were commissioned in 2012 which enabled Australia to play a One Day International against the West Indies as part of the Canberra Centenary celebrations in 2013.

In January 2019, the Manuka Oval Media and Function centre was officially opened, a facility that is capable of hosting the world’s media and serving as a prime function space for AFL in the winter months.

The venue has played host to a range of elite and international sporting fixtures, including an annual PMs XI match, One Day Internationals, Women’s Ashes, a Big Bash final, three ICC Cricket World Cup fixtures, and in 2019, created history in hosting the first ever Test Match.

Manuka Oval is hosting five ICC Women's T20 World Cup fixtures, including hosts Australia against Bangladesh on 27 February 2020. Tickets are on sale now!