The Adelaide Thunderbirds have moved into their new training base at Adelaide Arena, Findon, while they await the 2028 completion of the new $92 million multi-sport redevelopment at Mile End.

Netball SA also recently moved its administration to Adelaide Arena ahead of the 2026 Hospital Research Foundation Group Premier League which will be played there from this season.

The Thunderbirds will continue to play their Suncorp Super Netball competition games at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, while also having access to training and recovery facilities at the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI).

The Pelligra group, owners of the Adelaide Arena, upgraded the courts to include netball line marking and new signage in anticipation of the move.

Netball SA development squads and community programs will also be based out of the Findon site until 2028.

Netball is one of the state’s most popular physical activities, with more than 35,000 people regularly participating and about 18,000 Sports Vouchers for netball claimed last year to help younger South Australians get active.

Stage 1 works of the two-stage Mile End project have commenced and will transform all 26 outdoor netball courts with new surface, lighting, player shelters and food and beverage facilities. Stage 2 will see the existing Mile End stadium rebuilt with more courts for indoor sports and better seating.

Stage 1 is on track for completion in April 2026 ready for the winter Adelaide Metropolitan Netball Division season. During construction, teams relocated to nearby Park 22 for the summer following extensive club consultation.

Stage 2 will benefit other sports like volleyball, turning the stadium into a multi-sport facility and enabling different codes to share in the new complex.

The fully redeveloped stadium is due to open its doors in 2028, delivering a world-class sporting hub for South Australians – and helping to attract even more national and international sporting events to our state.

Click here for a concept video of the Mile End sports complex project works.

Quotes

Attributable to Rhiannon Pearce

This is a great outcome for netball in South Australia while we eagerly await the completion of the new $92 million multi-sports facility at Mile End.

The Thunderbirds are an iconic South Australian team, and by utilising the facilities at Adelaide Arena and SASI, they are set for another exceptional year on the court.

I commend all parties for bringing this deal together and look forward to seeing all the Premier League action which will also be based here.

Attributable to Bronwyn Klei, CEO of Netball SA

Moving out of the existing facility at Mile End after 27 years marked a significant step in the process of rebuilding Netball SA Stadium.

We’re pleased to have worked with the Pelligra team at Adelaide Arena to ensure a smooth transition for our key competitions and programs, including a training environment for our Adelaide Thunderbirds in addition to the South Australian Sports Institute.

We’re also excited for our Adelaide Metropolitan Netball Division to return to Mile End this March following the completion of the new outdoor courts.

Netball will look a little different in 2026 but before we know it, we’ll be cutting the ribbon to our brand-new home and giving our netball community the world-class facilities it deserves.

Attributable to Steve Wren, Executive Manager, Pelligra SA

The Pelligra group is proud to be a part of this great partnership between Netball SA and the Thunderbirds and our Arena and with the support of the Office of Sport, Recreation and Racing and what we have been able to achieve so quickly.

We are committed to making our Arena into the new home of Netball in SA for the next few years and we are excited about the high level of activity that’s happening here now. Well done to all.