The current Newcastle Entertainment Centre was originally built 33 years ago, as a temporary structure to operate for only 5 years. The new Newcastle Arena will be relocated next to McDonald Jones Stadium to create a dedicated live sport, entertainment and lifestyle precinct. The plans include a new 12,000 capacity entertainment centre, creating a world class indoor arena attracting up to 160 new events to the Hunter each year.
The facility is designed to attract international touring acts that currently bypass Newcastle, while also providing a home venue for future professional basketball and netball teams competing in national leagues.
Relocating the arena is the first key move to unlock the precinct for future hotel, commercial and residential development to create a thriving, year-round destination. It also continues the transformation of the precinct, which is home to McDonald Jones Stadium, the Newcastle Knights Centre of Excellence and the Newcastle International Hockey Centre.
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said, “This is a once-in-a-generation moment to finally deliver the sporting and entertainment infrastructure Newcastle and the Hunter deserves. A new world‑class arena will give the Hunter pulling power to attract major events, international artists and elite sport all year round.”
The broader redevelopment will deliver more housing and green space, improved transport connections, accessible and safe walking and cycle paths, and a new outdoor plaza for events and live site activations.
City leaders believe the project will deliver substantial economic benefits to the Hunter, with forecasts suggesting the arena could attract more than 640,000 visitors annually and contribute almost $41 million to the local economy each year.
The Newcastle Arena will be the catalyst for the delivery of the Broadmeadow Placemaking Strategy and is aligned with the Hunter Regional Plan 2036 and the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan 2036.
Plans for the area include housing for up to 40,000 residents and employment opportunities for as many as 8,000 workers. The existing Newcastle Entertainment Centre, which opened more than three decades ago as a temporary facility, is expected to eventually make way for future housing development once a replacement venue is operational.
The demolition of the Newcastle Entertainment Centre will not include the showground ring or grandstands, which are local heritage items.