A new smartphone app headlining a range of technology initiatives is set to be unveiled by Etihad Stadium on Thursday.

The Docklands venue will also showcase its new free Wi-Fi network as it seeks to become a leader in football's fan experience race.

Like the MCG, Etihad will make use of lighting to improve spectator experience, with the AFL helping to deliver new LED lighting ribbons on levels one and two, which will be controlled by the league.

The lights were demonstrated to the venue's five partner clubs on Wednesday, with team-themed lighting set to be prominent. About 1600 television monitors have also been installed around the ground, with clubs able to use the screens to display promotional material.

The initiatives follow eight months of planning, which included a series of fact-finding ventures to the US.

Etihad chief executive Paul Sergeant and the league's clubs and AFL operations boss, Travis Auld, will both be on hand for the announcement.

The moves are the latest in a range of steps taken by the league and stadia aimed at improving flagging crowds in Victoria during the 2014 season.

These include kick-to-kick after games at the MCG on Sundays, curtain-raisers before selected matches at Etihad (and possibly the MCG) and cheaper food. The MCG slashed food prices to levels not seen for a decade, with Etihad set to release its new prices before round one. Etihad has already announced that fans will be allowed to bring commercially purchased food into the ground, which has not been the case in previous seasons.

Meanwhile, the AFL announced on Wednesday that it will be trialling certain in-game features during this weekend's five NAB Challenge games at Docklands.

Highlights include a 15-second basketball-style countdown clock to be displayed on the scoreboards while players take set shots and a reconfiguring of the roof for day games to help with glare.

There will also be a countdown clock on the scoreboard marking time until the start of the next quarter, while the PA system will be used to relay umpiring and score review explanations.