An AUD150 million (£83 million/$105 million/€96 million) project is underway to revamp the venue which is set to host the athletics and Para athletics competitions during Victoria 2026.

A new athletics track is expected to be laid while there are plans to install 5,000 permanent and 18,000 temporary seats to boost the capacity from 6,000 to almost 30,000 for the Games.

As part of the work, Victoria-based geotechnical engineering specialists AS James is carrying out testing to understand the condition of the soil to help with planning.

Victoria's Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery Jacinta Allan confirmed that major works on the venue were due to begin in late 2023.

"We’re getting on with upgrades to Eureka Stadium with geotechnical testing giving us a better understanding of the site, before works start later this year," Allan said.

More than 600 full-time jobs are expected to be created before the start of the Commonwealth Games, with 3,900 due to be created during Victoria 2026.

The event is also predicted to contribute more than AUD3 billion (£1.71 billion/$2.12 billion/€1.95 billion) to Victoria’s economy.

Marathon races and boxing bouts are also due to be staged in Ballarat, while mountain bike racing is set to be held in the neighbouring town of Creswick.

Ballarat Saleyards has been chosen as the location for the city’s Athletes' Village which is set to accommodate about 1,800 athletes and officials.

The Village is expected to be designed in consultation with the local community and celebrates the "rich culture of the Wadawurrung people and Ballarat’s iconic attractions."

Ballarat is one of the four regional sites set to host competitions during the Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held from March 17 to 29 in 2026.