Australia’s largest performing arts venue has been closed to the public for the better part of two years as it undergoes extensive renovations, but this week it was revealed that Arts Centre Melbourne’s State Theatre is on track to reopen six months sooner than expected. Presenters and performers will now be welcomed back to the iconic stage from October 2026.
This will make the refurbished theatre the first completed milestone in the $1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project.
The celebrated venue is also getting a new name and will now be known as the Ian Potter State Theatre, in recognition of a $15 million donation from the Ian Potter Foundation, which largely funded the refurbishment. As reported by The Age, this is the largest single philanthropic donation to an Australian performing arts centre in history.
State Theatre reopening – quick links
State Theatre revamp honours heritage design, improves accessibility
The State Theatre first opened its doors to Victorians in 1984. The 2085-seat theatre boasts one of the largest stages in the world (bigger than four tennis courts) and is also the state’s home for both The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia.
The extensive refurbishment, which began in March 2024, brings the venue up to contemporary standards while honouring the heritage design and interiors that have captivated the hearts of generations of theatregoers.
More than a thousand detailed decisions on materials and finishes have been made to retain the theatre’s heritage grandeur, from the vibrant red seating to a glistening ceiling featuring 75,000 brass spheres.
Upgrades include the replacement and improvement of systems that were approaching the end of their lifecycle, including heating and cooling and fire protection, and the introduction of high performance sound systems and energy-efficient lighting ensuring longevity for the theatre’s next chapter.
The renovations will also vastly improve the accessibility of the theatre. For the first time, patrons with mobility challenges will be able to choose new seating across all three levels. New aisles will also be introduced in the Stalls and Circle, while two new lifts will connect the foyer to accessible seating in the Stalls. To accommodate this, new rows will be added to the Balcony.
‘The refurbishment of Arts Centre Melbourne’s historic State Theatre is a great milestone,’ says Arts Centre Melbourne CEO Karen Quinlan AM. ‘A significant amount of work has gone into improving the overall comfort and experience for our audiences and to honour the original design by John Truscott.’
Quinlan adds: ‘When the auditorium reopens as the Ian Potter State Theatre, we look forward to welcoming home our resident companies and presenters who will benefit from its major upgrades.’
Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet look forward to returning
Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet have been offering somewhat stripped-back programming at the (still quite regal) 2162-seat Regent Theatre while the State Theatre has been out of action.
‘Opera Australia is delighted to return to our Melbourne home at Arts Centre Melbourne,’ says Opera Australia CEO Alex Budd. ‘The refurbished theatre will give our audiences a richer, more vibrant experience of opera at scale.’
Meanwhile The Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director David Hallberg says the relaunch of the State Theatre will herald ‘a new era for artists and audiences alike’.
He adds: ‘We thank our audiences for their committed support during this period at the Regent Theatre and can’t wait to welcome them back to our Melbourne home to experience ballet at its most grand and spectacular.’
Further details on the first performances in the Ian Potter State Theatre will be shared soon.
Transformation of the Melbourne Arts Precinct continues
Following the reopening of the Ian Potter State Theatre in October 2026, works will continue throughout the Arts Centre Melbourne Theatres Building. This will include the construction of a new and accessible stage door, an expanded loading dock, space for a new flexible rehearsal area with an adjoining function room, and new places to eat and drink.
The $1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project is Australia’s largest cultural infrastructure project. In addition to major upgrades for the Theatres Building, the project includes the creation of an expansive new 18,000-square-metre urban garden, named Laak Boorndap, and a new landmark gallery, The Fox: NGV Contemporary.
Read: Breaking ground on The Fox NGV Contemporary
This is all happening in addition to the construction of the Australian Museum of Performing Arts. The brand new museum is set to open in the Arts Centre Melbourne precinct this December with its inaugural exhibition, DIVA, opening 11 December in celebration of ‘the power and creativity of the diva’.
