John Cain Arena 2027
Indoor arena with retractable roof · Melbourne Park (Olympic Boulevard side) · 0 confirmed event(s) in 2027
John Cain Arena in 2027: the venue
Opened in July 2000 as a tennis, basketball and cycling venue, the arena has gone through four names in two decades before being named in 2020 after John Cain, the former Victorian premier. Its tenants keep it busy: Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix play NBL basketball here and the Melbourne Vixens play netball. A retractable roof and a velodrome hidden under the seating make it unusually flexible. Concerts are less frequent than at Rod Laver Arena next door, and none were on our confirmed 2027 list on 9 October 2026, but it is a regular stop for touring hip-hop, dance and K-pop shows that need an arena without the full 14,000 seats.
John Cain Arena: getting there and back
The arena sits on Olympic Boulevard, the closest of the Melbourne Park venues to Richmond station; the walk takes under 10 minutes. From Jolimont station cross Yarra Park and the footbridges over the rail lines. Tram route 70 stops nearby on Olympic Boulevard. From the CBD, the riverside walk from Flinders Street station through Birrarung Marr takes about 15–20 minutes. Event parking exists in the precinct but fills fast on game nights. If the MCG has a football crowd the same evening, Jolimont and Richmond stations both get very busy, and walking back to the CBD along the river is often the quickest way out.
Tips for a show at John Cain Arena
Seating rakes steeply on all four sides, so even the back rows feel close. Courtside-level seats are near the floor but low, which can mean watching through phones on a GA show. Check NBL and netball fixtures: on double-header days, expect queues at Richmond station. The arena’s bars sit on the concourse behind the seating, and the Swan Street pubs in Richmond are the usual meeting point before a show.
No 2027 concert is confirmed at John Cain Arena yet (as of 9 October 2026) — the venue alert below tells you as soon as one is.
John Cain Arena alert
New shows, presale codes and on-sale times at John Cain Arena in 2027.
FAQ — John Cain Arena
What was John Cain Arena called before?
It opened as Vodafone Arena, then became Hisense Arena and Melbourne Arena before taking its current name in 2020.
Who plays at John Cain Arena?
NBL clubs Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix, the Melbourne Vixens in netball, and tennis during the Australian Open, plus concerts.
Are any 2027 concerts confirmed at John Cain Arena?
None on our verified list as of 9 October 2026. Sign up for the alert to hear when one is announced.