Hisense Arena

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Hisense Arena
nickname = Multi Purpose Venue


location = Melbourne, Victoria
broke_ground =
opened = 2000
closed =
demolished =
owner = Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust
operator = Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust
surface =
construction_cost =
architect =
former_names = Vodafone Arena
tenants = Australian Open (Tennis)
South Dragons (NBL) (2006-present)
Melbourne Vixens (ANZ Championship) (2008-present)
seating_capacity = 10,500|

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thumb|right|Hisense Arena in use during the 2006 Australian Open.Hisense Arena (formerly known as Vodafone Arena) is a sports venue that is part of the Melbourne Park complex, in Melbourne, Australia.

History

Construction of Hisense Arena commenced in the late 1990s, and was completed in 2000. It was originally named the Multi-purpose Venue, until the naming rights were sold to Vodafone; it has a maximum capacity of 11,000 people. The new South Dragons National Basketball League (NBL) franchise has recently made the Hisense Arena its home court. Formerly, the Victoria Titans and Melbourne Tigers had Hisense Arena as their home, until high rental prices forced the teams to find other venues. Until this recent move the venue was largely empty outside of the two weeks of the Australian Open tennis tournament.

The arena features a cycling track which is covered over with seating for court events. The tennis court is a Plexicushion surface and the roof is retractable, making it one of the few venues where tennis can be played while it is raining.

On May 12, 2008 it was announced that from July 1 2008, Vodafone Arena will be renamed Hisense Arena in a multi-million dollar six year deal.

Events

Australian Open

Every year, Hisense Arena hosts many matches as part of the Australian Open tennis tournament. It is generally used only during the day, in the first week and a half of the tournament.

Commonwealth Games

During the Commonwealth Games the stadium was used for basketball and other sports, its name changed to "Multi-Purpose Venue", with all signs covered over with black shrouds because Telstra (a competitor of Vodafone) was a major sponsor of the Games.

Concerts

Hisense Arena also plays hosts to National and International Musical Artists. Generally promoters prefer Rod Laver Arena; however Hisense Arena provides a suitable alternative when Rod Laver is unavailable.

External links

* [http://www.mopt.com.au/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-19/234_read-53 Official site]
*Austadiums|130