Your guide to game day in Geelong
Grab your guernsey and join the footy fever when the Geelong Cats face off on game days at GMHBA Stadium.
Before you set foot into the stadium and find your seat, here are a few things you need to know to get match-ready.
Getting your seat
GMHBA Stadium has opened its brand new Joel Selwood stand just in time for the 2024 AFL season – meaning there’s now up to 40,000 seats to watch the game in-person.
Tickets for each match are available via Ticketmaster, though the best way to secure your seat is with a Geelong Cats membership. For a more refined and catered experience as you cheer on the footy, corporate hospitality packages are also available.
See the upcoming fixture at geelongcats.com.au.
Where to eat and drink
If you’re looking to wine and dine before you head to the stadium, across the road you’ll find two venues in one.
Opposite GMHBA Stadium, Sawyers Arms may be one of the city’s oldest hotels but its menu is modern Australian. Here you’ll find an inviting front bar that’s perfect for a few bevvies for pre or post match discussion alongside a comforting pub meal.
Nestled above the Sawyers Arms is Two Noble – a new fine dining destination where South East Asian flavours fuse with modern Australian flair. And the interiors are just as impressive as the food on the menu. Think oysters with green chilli granita through to beef short rib rendang. Delish.
This two-in-one venue is a 450 metre walk, roughly 7 minutes, from the stadium.
Where to stay
Drop a pin and almost exactly 1km away is Rydges Geelong – and one of the closest hotels. Rydges boasts an inviting restaurant, Nautica Pool Bar and Kitchen, with a fresh modern Australian menu and the chance to enjoy poolside cocktails. There’s also 138 spacious guest rooms, apartments and suites, pool area and spa.
The approximately 1km walk will take about about 15 minutes to master.
A little further away you’ll find waterfront gem Novotel Geelong and a home away from home at Quest Geelong Central.
Getting here
By train: Make your way to Geelong by jumping on the V/Line and getting off at South Geelong Station. It’s a short 400 metre walk or an even shorter bike ride. Visit the V/Line and Public Transport Victoria websites for train schedules and more info.
By boat: Take the car over from the Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs to Queenscliff via Searoad Ferries. The 40-minute crossing departs every hour, every day between 7am – 6pm. It’s then a 35-minute drive to Geelong CBD.
By plane: Coming from a bit further afield? Grab a flight to Avalon Airport via Bonza or Jetstar and you’ll be a breezy 30-minute taxi or Uber ride from the stadium. Hire cars are also available from the airport but should be booked in advance (more here).
By car: Geelong is roughly an hour (75km) from Melbourne travelling via the Westgate Bridge and following the Princes Freeway. Please note parking is only available via surrounding streets.
For updated daily guides on each home game at GMHBA Stadium head to the Geelong Cats website.
