Image: The new stadium will seat 24,000 spectators

Sydney Showground's Main Arena at Sydney Olympic Park, Australia, will relaunch as the new AU$65m (US$63m, EUR50m, £40m) Skoda Stadium this weekend (26 May).

Global architecture group Populous designed the newest Australian Football League (AFL) venue, which provides an "intimate" home for the Greater Western Sydney Giants.

The creation of the 24,000-seat boutique stadium has been funded by the New South Wales state government, the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) and the AFL itself.

Skoda Stadium - built in just 11 months - will also be able to host cricket, rugby league and rugby union, as well as remaining as the main arena for the city's Sydney Easter Show.

Populous project leader Warrick Chalmers said: "The arena track, which is an integral part of the showground, is retained but covered during the AFL season by 2,000 temporary seats which allow fans to be as close as possible to the action on the field."

Details: www.afl.com.au

Image (c) Populous