The Palace | |
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 Interactive map of AIS Arena | |
| Former names | Indoor Sports Stadium(planning/construction) National Indoor Sports Centre(1981–95) |
|---|---|
| Address | 26 Leverrier Street,Bruce, Australian Capital Territory |
| Coordinates | 35°14′52″S149°6′4″E / 35.24778°S 149.10111°E /-35.24778; 149.10111 |
| Owner | Australian Institute of Sport |
| Capacity | 4,200 Concerts[2]
|
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1979 |
| Opened | 26 January 1981 |
| Renovated | 2016 & 2024 |
| Construction cost | $6.3 million ($33.5 million in 2022 dollars[1]) |
| Architect | Philip Cox & Partners |
| Structural engineer | Bond James Laron & Murtagh |
| Services engineer | SRG Limited |
| General contractor | John Holland |
| Tenants | |
| Canberra Cannons(NBL) (1981–2003) Australian Institute of Sport(WNBL) (1981–2012) UC Capitals(WNBL) (1984–2020; 2024–present) AIS Canberra Darters(CBT) (2003–2007) Canberra Brave(AIHL) (2025) Sydney Kings(NBL) (2006-07, 2025) Sydney Spirit(NBL) (2008) Illawarra Hawks(NBL) (2019) | |
AIS Arena is a multi-purpose arena inCanberra, Australia, located on the grounds of theAustralian Institute of Sport. Built in 1980, the arena was opened by thePrime Minister of Australia,Malcolm Fraser, on26 January 1981 and was originally named the National Indoor Sports Centre.[3]
The arena was designed byPhilip Cox & Partners and the main contractor wasJohn Holland.[4] Architectural features include a 1200 tonne suspended concrete panel roof supported by 12 steel masts and 36 mainstay cables. The roof has a span of 100.4 metres. The stadium is partly set into the ground to reduce its scale and to establish a visual connection between the landscape and the mast and cable structure of the roof.[5]
The AIS Arena has served as the home court for theCanberra Cannons of theNational Basketball League (NBL), theCanberra Capitals of theWomen's National Basketball League (WNBL) and, at times, theAustralian Institute of Sport WNBL team. While the Cannons were playing at the arena it was known as "The Palace". The arena has hostedAustralian Boomers andAustralian Opals international basketball games, as well as theAustralian Netball Diamonds. The arena has also hosted theCanberra Roller Derby League and many concerts.
When it was first constructed, the venue had a seating capacity of 4,000.[6] A major refurbishment in 1992 increased the capacity to 4,500.[7] In 1995 the stadium underwent a further redevelopment that expanded capacity to 5,200, introduced a new main entrance, upgraded catering and corporate entertainment facilities, and added a café and the AIS Shop. During this redevelopment the venue was officially renamed the "AIS Arena".[8]
In 2014, the AIS invested in a $200,000 removable floor to help it tap into new markets to increase revenue by attracting more sports, concerts, ice skating and even indoor equestrian events at AIS Arena.[9]
In 2015 and 2016, the venue received a $9.4 million upgrade, with the refurbishment involving better seating and windows. It forced the Canberra Capitals to find an alternative home venue for the end of the2015–16 WNBL season.[9]
The arena was shut down in 2020 due to theCOVID-19 pandemic and its poor fire safety. It was later used as a mass vaccination clinic.[10] The arena received $15 million worth of repair work and re-opened in 2024.[11][12]
For the2024–25 WNBL season, the Capitals returned to the AIS Arena for the first time since the 2019–20 season.[13] TheCanberra Brave of theAustralian Ice Hockey League made their temporary move to the arena for eleven games during the2025 season before completion of their new arena. An ice surface was laid atop the existing floor at AIS Arena.[14]
Authority control databases: Geographic |
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