The Queensland government has announced plans to build a new $3.8 billion, 63,000-seat stadium at Brisbane’s Victoria Park as part of the preparations for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This decision marks a significant shift from earlier commitments, as the historic Gabba stadium is now set to be demolished and replaced with a residential development.
The state government also confirmed that multiple new sporting facilities would be constructed to support the Games. One of the major changes to previous plans is that the Brisbane Live Arena, initially earmarked for the swimming events, will no longer receive $2.5 billion in federal funding. Instead, the private sector will develop an entertainment hub at an industrial site near the Gabba.
The new national aquatic centre will be located at the site of the existing Centenary Pool in Spring Hill. It is expected to be a world-class facility, boasting both primary and secondary stadiums, each with large indoor pools to accommodate elite training and competition. During the Games, the aquatic centre will have a capacity of more than 25,000, which will be reduced to 8,000 once the event concludes.
The Brisbane Showgrounds, a heritage-listed venue with a history spanning 140 years, will be upgraded to a 20,000-seat capacity and will serve as the location for the athletes’ village. A previous proposal to build a new facility at Hamilton has been abandoned in favor of this upgrade.
Additional sports infrastructure developments include the expansion of the Queensland Tennis Centre in Tennyson, where a new 3,000-seat show court and 12 match courts will be added. Furthermore, new indoor sports centres will be built in Logan and Moreton Bay, while a whitewater rafting facility is planned for the Redlands.
The latest announcement represents the third revision of the delivery plan for the Games. An earlier proposal put forward under the previous administration, which suggested hosting the athletics events at a temporary stadium at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC), has been discarded in favor of constructing a permanent venue.
The decision to build a new stadium at Victoria Park has drawn significant attention, as it contradicts a key election promise made by the government. Previously, strong assurances were given that no new stadium would be built, particularly not at Victoria Park. In addressing this reversal, the premier acknowledged the broken commitment and issued an apology, stating that it was a difficult but necessary choice.
Despite the political implications, the premier emphasized the importance of moving forward with a plan that ensures Brisbane has the infrastructure needed to host a successful Olympic Games. The government expressed confidence that the new stadium and other planned facilities will create a lasting legacy for sports and entertainment in the region.
