DLA Piper advised the AFL (Australian Football League) on its historic AU$225 million deal with the State of Victoria to redevelop Etihad Stadium and the surrounding Docklands precinct, with an extended 40-year commitment to host the AFL Grand Finals.

The redevelopment will include a major focus on improving the fan experience, with better views from the bottom-level via new concourse flooring and improved seating.

DLA Piper Corporate partner and head of the firm’s Melbourne office, David Hallam, led the team with Real Estate partners Arthur Chong and Jane Baddeley, Litigation and Regulatory partner Kieran O'Brien, and others.

DLA Piper has been advising AFL for a number of years, including acting on the original acquisition of the Stadium in 2016.

David Hallam said: "We are incredibly proud to have advised the AFL on such a significant deal not only for the AFL community but for the state of Victoria as a whole and many Australian and international sporting fans. This comes amid a highly competitive environment for major stadiums in Australia, and its redevelopment and subsequent agreements will be closely watched by other state governments and sporting organisations."

This latest deal is part of a larger investment in sporting facilities across Victoria, with almost half a billion dollars reported to be included in the May State Budget.