AFLW Semi Final Geelong v Sydney at GMHBA Stadium (Geelong, VIC): Gates 3:05pm, Parking, Trains and Entry Rules

There is no general public parking for events at GMHBA Stadium, so for the AFLW Semi Final between the Geelong Cats and the Sydney Swans on Saturday 14 November 2026, plan to arrive by train, bus, taxi or on foot. Gates open at 3:05pm and the match starts at 4:05pm.

This guide uses the stadium’s own pages, last checked on 9 November 2026. It covers the times, what the stadium says about parking and transport, accessible entry and parking, what you cannot bring, and what is still unconfirmed for this match. For the stadium on any other day, see how to get to Kardinia Park and GMHBA Stadium.

What time are the gates and the match on 14 November?

The stadium’s match page says the Geelong Cats are hosting the AFLW Semi Final at 4:05pm on Saturday and calls it an absolute blockbuster against the Swans. Gates open at 3:05pm and the match starts at 4:05pm. Tickets are sold through a link on the match page. The page does not list prices.

Item	Detail
Match	AFLW Semi Final, Geelong v Sydney
Date	Saturday 14 November 2026
Gates open	3:05pm
Match start	4:05pm
Venue	GMHBA Stadium, 354 Moorabool Street, South Geelong 3220

Can I park near GMHBA Stadium on match day?

No, not as a general visitor. The stadium’s FAQ says there is no general public parking available for events, and that Australian Disability Parking (ADP) permit holders will have access to limited parking at Gate B6. The stadium’s getting here page says free parking is available throughout the precinct on non-major event days, and that on major event days you should check the event-specific information. The match page for this game has no parking section.

Where is accessible parking on a major event day?

• Accessible parking is in the B6 parking zone, entered via Latrobe Terrace, on a first-in basis. Patrons must display their Accessible Parking sticker.
• Overflow accessible parking is in the C7 zone, entered via Park Crescent. The stadium notes the surface is unsealed and the bays are informal.
• Ubers and taxis for people with accessibility needs can use Gate A2 for collection.

How do I get to GMHBA Stadium by train?

The stadium says Geelong is approximately one hour from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station. South Geelong Station is 450 metres to the east of the stadium, and Geelong Railway Station is 1.8 kilometres to the north. The stadium says V/Line may provide additional services on major event days and tells patrons to check the V/Line and Public Transport Victoria websites.

V/Line’s service changes page, checked on 9 November 2026, lists no Geelong line change for Saturday 14 November and no additional services for the match. Its next Geelong line change is coaches replacing evening trains from Sunday 22 to Tuesday 24 November. Check again closer to the day, because the page is updated. For fares and timetables from Melbourne, see Melbourne to Geelong by train.

Are there buses and taxis?

Public bus stops are on Moorabool Street, directly opposite Gate 5 (Bernie Smith, the river end) and Gate 1 (Polly Farmer, the city end). The stadium says bus routes are subject to change with road closures along Moorabool Street, which are put in place for specific major events, and points to Public Transport Victoria, CDC Victoria and McHarry’s Buslines.

On major event days a taxi rank is on Verner Street, outside the Moorabool Street closures. Taxis can be booked at any time on 131 008.

Will Moorabool Street be closed?

The FAQ says roads around the stadium have speed reductions for the entire event day and that a section of Moorabool Street is closed 60 minutes before the event and 30 minutes after it. That wording is for major events in general, and the match page does not say it applies to this semi final, so treat the Moorabool Street closure as unconfirmed for 14 November.

How do tickets and entry work?

The stadium says major events use an authorised ticketing agency and warns that tickets bought from other sellers such as Viagogo, eBay or Gumtree may be fake, void or cancelled. It asks you to download your ticket to your mobile phone before arriving. Event day tickets can be purchased at Gate 1 (Polly Farmer), Gate 5 (Bernie Smith) and Gate 13 (Bob Davis), and the event page is updated with gate sales. The venue is cashless.

All customers and their bags are subject to screening. If you have a pacemaker and do not want to be wanded, the stadium says to bring a medical certificate and photo identification, and a pat down is used instead.

What can I not bring into the stadium?

The stadium’s conditions of entry list prohibited and restricted items. The list is not exhaustive, and the items most likely to matter on match day are:

• Alcohol, glassware, glass bottles, cans and breakable containers.
• Musical instruments and noise makers, including whistles, hooters, horns, drums and vuvuzelas.
• Drones, laser pointers, flares, fireworks, confetti and balloons.
• Chairs and stools; prams, eskies, coolers and bags that are too large to fit safely under your seat.
• Food or drink bought at commercial outlets outside the stadium, other than for personal consumption.
• Flag poles that are not plastic or wood or are longer than 1.5 metres; umbrellas must be stored under a seat and cannot be opened inside.

Prams are welcome at AFLW matches, but for safety they cannot go into the seating bowl unless they can be stored under your seat. They can be left in the designated area on the Level 1 concourse towards the Joel Selwood Stand, outside the parents’ room. Assistance animals are welcome, and the nearest relief area is on the grass in Kardinia Park.

What accessible entry and seating is there?

A dedicated accessible entry lane is at Gate 1 and Gate 13. Gates 5 and 8 provide a combined accessible and express entry lane. The stadium lists accessible and companion seating in the Reg Hickey, Premiership, Players, Brownlow and Joel Selwood stands, each reached by lift from specific gates. On the day, ask the Inclusion Officer, who wears a blue cap.

The stadium describes a free travel buggy service for people with mobility challenges, from two hours before the match from Entry C (Park Crescent) to the edge of the A3 car park. It says the buggies may not operate at all events, so whether they run for this match is unconfirmed.

Where can I eat?

The stadium says food outlets are located throughout every stand and level, plus the Jack Rabbit Wine Bar in the Brownlow Stand and the Cats-themed Hoops Bar in the Players Stand. Club Chin Chin on Level 3 of the Joel Selwood Stand takes reservations on AFL and select AFLW match days, and the page does not say whether 14 November is included.

Sources

• Kardinia Park Stadium Trust — Geelong v Sydney (AFLW)
• Kardinia Park Stadium Trust — Getting here
• Kardinia Park Stadium Trust — Accessibility
• Kardinia Park Stadium Trust — Conditions of entry
• Kardinia Park Stadium Trust — Food and drink
• V/Line — Service changes

Featured image: Kardinia Park hosting an AFL match, August 2014 (photo: Darijoe / CC0) (text added)

OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust, the Geelong Football Club or the AFL. Times, gates and transport can change; check the stadium’s event page and V/Line before you travel.