- Published:
- Thursday 27 November 2025 at 11:00 am
Footy fans will have a new train connection to North Melbourne in time to celebrate the Kangaroos’ second AFLW Premiership – should they win Saturday’s Grand Final.
Premier Jacinta Allan, Deputy Premier Ben Carroll and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams today joined AFLW North Melbourne players at the Metro Tunnel’s Arden Station – which opens to passengers this Sunday, one year ahead of schedule.
Arden Station – only a Jasmine Garner torp from Arden Street Oval – gives fans a faster, easier connection to AFLW games and North Melbourne training. A trip from the CBD will take under seven minutes, and the station sits within walking distance of the Route 57 tram and the North Melbourne Recreation Centre.
The station is one of five new world-class underground Metro Tunnel stations and sits at the heart of the emerging Arden Precinct – which is set to support up to 34,000 jobs and around 20,000 residents by 2050.
Construction on Arden Station began in 2018, with crews excavating 330,000 tonnes of rock and soil up to 20 metres underground to build the station and pour its platforms. Arden served as the network’s ‘super lab’ – allowing technology to be tested and refined before rollout across the other stations.
The new station’s landmark entrance features a massive brick archway – a nod to North Melbourne’s rich industrial history and character – and skylights to let natural light flow 14m underground. Artist Abdul Abdullah has created a striking large-scale artwork that now defines the station’s eastern façade.
If North Melbourne wins Saturday’s AFLW Grand Final, the club will host a family day from 1:00pm to 3.00pm on Sunday at Arden Street Oval. Metro Tunnel services will run between 10:00am and 7:00pm.
The Metro Tunnel is the biggest transformation of Victoria’s rail network in 40 years. When it opens on Sunday, it will double the size of Melbourne’s underground rail system, deliver hundreds of new services each week, and pave the way for more trains, more often – right across the network.
Never forget, the Liberals called the Metro Tunnel a “hoax”. The Victorian Liberals said it would divide the city, while the Federal Liberals refused to fund it. Labor will open it this Sunday.
Quotes attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan
“Labor builds Victoria up – connecting people to jobs, uni and healthcare with the Metro Tunnel. Liberals cut Victoria down – they called the Metro Tunnel a hoax and cut it when they were in office.”
“Arden Station opens a year early – giving footy fans and locals a faster, easier way to get to North Melbourne. It’s a huge milestone for the Metro Tunnel and a big win for the city.”
Quote attributable to Deputy Premier Ben Carroll
“When North wins on Saturday, you’ll be able to catch the train to Arden Street on Sunday to celebrate – a win-win for Victorians.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams
“This weekend is massive for the Kangaroos and the Metro Tunnel – Arden Station will deliver faster trips, bigger crowds and a stronger connection between North Melbourne and AFLW fans.”
Quote attributable to North Melbourne CEO Jen Watt
“Our Arden Street home is part of our past and present and the new Arden Station will form part of our future.”