New Brisbane stadium to replace Gabba as venue for Olympics, cricket, AFL

Monday, March 31, 2025

In decision announced by Queensland Premier David Crisafulli on Tuesday, Brisbane‘s The Gabba stadium is now scheduled to be replaced by a new stadium located on the north side of the Brisbane River. The yet to be named stadium is due to be the main stadium for the 2032 Olympics as well as international cricket and top level Australian rules football, both currently hosted at the Gabba.

Queensland Cricket, Chief Executive Officer, Terry Svenson welcomed the decision of the state government. “Queensland Cricket congratulates the Queensland Government on its decision to invest in the State’s future, with a world-class stadium that will be a centrepiece of Brisbane for 2032 and beyond,” Svenson said. “The Gabba has been wonderful venue for cricket for many years and has provided fans and players with countless memories – however the challenges the stadium faces are well documented, and we need to look to the future. There is now the opportunity for Queensland to attract the world’s best cricket events, such as ICC events, men’s and women’s Ashes Series, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between Australia and India, as well has hosting the BBL and WBBL in a new purpose-built stadium.”

The Brisbane Lions are the Australian Football League premiers. Their CEO Greg Swann was equally as welcoming. “The Gabba has been a great home for the past 30 years, but the city has outgrown it, the Lions have outgrown it, and the venue is reaching its end of life,” Swann said.

“The Olympics and Paralympics presents an opportunity to deliver a venue that will serve the City and State’s growing population, not just for the Games, but for the next 50 years. Between now and the Olympics nearly 4 million Queensland sports fans will visit the Gabba for either a Lions or cricket match, with each event creating job and economic opportunities and ensuring our local events industry is equipped and skilled to deliver the Games. We need all stakeholders to unite behind 2032 so we can get on with delivering the venues needed to host a great Games and critical infrastructure for decades to come.”

Former Queensland Premier Campbell Newman was amongst a group that opposed the potential loss of green space at the Victoria Park site. “It is not only the stadium, but now we’re getting the swimmers talking about putting a swimming venue in the park as well. And this is what happens. These people really have to look at their own words,” Newman told Fox Sports News. “One minute they’re saying it’s only going to take up x-percent of the Park. The next minute, within a few breaths, they’re talking about putting the swimming in there as well. And that’s how it goes (and soon) you have no park.”

Those opposed to the new stadium site seem likely to challenge the decision in court according to Fox Sports News.

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