City of Newcastle has revealed that the proposed Newcastle Entertainment and Conference Centre at Broadmeadow is expected to cost $498 million, according to sources. The council is intensifying calls for a $15 million state government commitment to kickstart the project ahead of the 2027 election.
The centre would be built next to McDonald Jones Stadium on the corner of Turton and Griffiths roads, with a capacity of 10,000. It is part of the Broadmeadow Place Strategy and aims to transform the area into a modern sporting and entertainment precinct capable of hosting over 30,000 people.
A City of Newcastle spokesman highlighted that Newcastle's location, economic mix, and airport expansion make it attractive for major events. Currently, the city lacks a contemporary venue for national-scale events, causing it to miss out on concerts by artists like Olivia Dean, Hilary Duff, and Tame Impala.
The state government has set a target of $91 billion in visitor spending by 2035, with regional areas expected to contribute 40 per cent. The council argues that investment in fit-for-purpose infrastructure is crucial to achieving this goal, noting that business events at existing venues generated $10 million in economic value in 2025.
The new centre would not be weather-dependent and would increase Newcastle's competitiveness for touring artists. McDonald Jones Stadium is currently limited to five non-sporting events per year. The council's visitor economy team plans to promote the new facility in partnership with Newcastle Airport and the University of Newcastle.
