A new 63,000-capacity, multi-purpose stadium will be built in Brisbane, Australia, to act as the main venue for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Queensland government, through state premier David Crisafulli, announced earlier today that the multi-sport arena, which has an estimated cost of AU$3.78 billion ($2.39 billion), will host both the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as athletics events.
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The revelation comes as part of a new overall plan for the stadia and infrastructure that will be used during the Olympics in seven year’s time.
The new stadium, to be constructed in the Victoria Park surburb, will also become Brisbane’s main cricket venue following the games, with the iconic Gabba stadium to be demolished post-2032. That historic venue was originally built in 1895 and has, to date, staged 67 men’s test cricket matches.
This represents a complete U-turn on previous plans regarding Brisbane’s 2032 stadia in the build-up to the Queensland 2024 state elections, when the premier repeatedly stated that a new venue would not be built. Indeed, last March, the Queensland government (under a different premier) said it would not be using either the Gabba or a new stadium, and would instead spend AU$1.6 billion to renovate the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) in Nathan in the south of the city.
Crisafulli, who was only elected last October, has now said: "I have to own that, and I will. I am sorry, it's my decision, and I accept that decision.”
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By GlobalDataHe added that “the choice was between QSAC and a new stadium, and I know which one would have been politically easier for me to make, but I’ve made the right choice.”
The Brisbane 2032 delivery plan says: “Victoria Park will become home to Brisbane Stadium, designed to attract world-class events, as part of an exciting new sports and entertainment precinct in the heart of Brisbane.”
Cricket, which is one of Australia’s most treasured national sports, is likely to have a place on the Brisbane 2032 sports program and would almost certainly take place at the Gabba as the final act before that venue’s demolition.
The Queensland Premier added: "The Gabba is at its end of life. It hasn't been well maintained, and we do need a stadium to host this great show, and there is an opportunity for legacy play.”
The land the Gabba sits on is likely to be turned into a residential precinct after its demolition, according to reports.
The venue was originally due to be demolished in late 2025 after the Ashes cricket encounter between Australia and England, with the project fully funded by the state taxpayer. However, the plan was roundly criticized by local residents due to the demolition of a neighboring heritage-listed primary school and the use of a park for an athletics warm-up track.
Other stadiums planned for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics include a 25,000-seater national aquatic center near the planned new venue (which will go down to a capacity of 8,000 once the games conclude), as well as another 20,000-capacity arena close to the main athletes village.
In addition, there are expected to be substantial renovations to the Brisbane Queensland Tennis Centre.
The current total budget for Brisbane 2032 is AU$7.1 billion, and Crusafulli has said many of the projects will be delivered through public-private partnerships.
The estimated cost for the new main stadium, meanwhile, does not include “associated precinct and transport infrastructure costs.”
Brisbane 2032, held between July 23 and August 8, will follow on from the next Summer Olympics and Paralympics, taking place in Los Angeles in 2028.
