THE WESTERN Bulldogs plan to play premiership matches in Ballarat if the Labor Party wins this month's Victorian state election.





An incoming Daniel Andrews-led government has promised a $31.5 million upgrade for the regional city's Eureka Stadium in the hopes of the venue hosting AFL games from season 2017.





The Bulldogs are keen to relocate two to three matches per season to Ballarat, and plan to open an office in the city in 2015.





They have also been scheduled to host a NAB Challenge game against Melbourne at Eureka Stadium on March 14 next year.





President Peter Gordon declared on Thursday the Bulldogs would make a long-term commitment to the region, saying it was an opportunity for the club "to leap forward".





"We think this gives us an opportunity, as a club with a history of struggle, to give us a realistic chance, for the first time ever really, to build our membership past 50,000 and to build our economic base into the upper ranks of the competition," Gordon said.





"We're going to take advantage of that opportunity by making a serious, long-term commitment to this area, this city and the people of Ballarat."

The move to have the Dogs play matches in Ballarat comes after North Melbourne has been repositioned from the zone after six years of involvement in the Ballarat region.



