ACT Sports Minister Andrew Barr has unveiled an upgraded StarTrack Oval Canberra ahead of next month’s NAB Challenge between the GIANTS and the Swans.

The $9 million upgrade has seen capacity increase to 15,700 and also includes new fencing, start-of-the-art drainage and irrigation and new player dugouts.

The upgrade to the surface is the first of its kind since the oval was built in 1924, and involved more than 24,000 cubic metres of soil being removed in order to rebuild the surface.

Tuesday’s Prime Minister’s XI v England cricket match will be the first match played since the upgrade and will take place on a new pitch.

The NAB Challenge match between the GIANTS and Swans on February 20  will be the first pre-season match for both teams as well as the first occasion the rivals have met outside of Sydney.

As well as the Swans, the GIANTS will also play the Western Bulldogs (Round 4), Port Adelaide (Round 7) and North Melbourne (Round 20) at StarTrack Oval Canberra.