The stadium was originally used primarily for agricultural shows and hosted a greyhound racing track as well, the name of the venue prior to 1911 was the Wollongong Showground.

The western grandstand was to be demolished and replaced by a new stand which was to hold 2500 general seats, 20 corporate boxes as well as media facilities and food and beverage outlets.

The WIN Stadium Trust believed that the redevelopment would provide significant job opportunities locally and bring in new revenue of approximately $2.1 million per year.

In October 2009, the NSW Labor Government announced $28.9 million in funding for the construction of a new western stand, under a revised plan.

On 20 September 2011, high winds bucked the western grandstand roof which was still under construction, causing a redesign and delay in the opening of the stand with the upper tier not being ready for occupancy until half-way through the 2012 NRL season.

The current attendance record for WIN Stadium was set during a NRL finals match, when 19,608 watched the Dragons defeat rivals the Cronulla Sharks.

The Illawarra Steelers lower grade sides currently play home games at the venue, as they have for the past thirty two years.

The Wollongong Wolves who currently compete in the National Premier Leagues NSW, also play their home games at WIN Stadium.

The game, which was expected to break the ground record attendance of 19,608, attracted 18,456 fans who saw the Kangaroos defeat Samoa 44–18 to book a spot in the tournament Final against New Zealand.

The concert was part of his Once In a Lifetime Tour in Australia, which besides Wollongong went to the regional locations Cairns, Mackay, and Hobart.

As the stadium is located at the eastern end of the Wollongong Central Business District, there is a well suited public transport infrastructure.