The Queensland government has announced that the historic Gabba Stadium is set to be demolished and will be building a new 3.8 billion stadium with a 63,000 capacity at Brisbane’s Victoria Park as part of plans for a main stadium and other venues for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The state government has signed off a 100-day review of Olympic infrastructure and will announce its plans for the honourable event games venues.
Premier David Crisafulli will unveil his government’s final plan for the Brisbane Games, including the site for the athlete’s village, the future of the Gabba and whether a new stadium will be built at Victoria Park.
It is reported that Prime Minister Anthoy Albanese in Canberra yesterday as conversations continue between the state and federal governments over a funding arrangement.
“This decision gives us certainty about venues and scheduling which in turn allows us to ensure Brisbane hosts the very best possible international and domestic cricket,” CA said in a statement.
“We strongly advocated building a stadium in Victoria Park together with Queensland Cricket, the AFL and Brisbane Lions, and cricket will play a major role in ensuring this significant investment delivers long-term benefits for cricket fans and the people of Queensland.
“On behalf of the cricket community we want to thank the Queensland Government for seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give the fans, the city and the state the stadium they deserve.”
With Cricket is set to return to the Olympics for 2028 edition in Los Angeles having only previously featured in 1900. Should it be retained for 2032, it is earmarked for Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena as well as the Gabba in what would shape as the ground’s final matches before it is knocked down.
“Wouldn’t it be amazing to see the Australian cricket team win gold at an Olympic final? The Gabba’s swansong,” Crisafulli said at an event in Brisbane.
The Gabba waas initially set to be demolished and rebuilt for 2.7 billion Australian dollar under the labor government for the 2032 Games before that was crapped amid a backlash over rising costs.
It was then set for 600 million dollars facelift under Labor before those plans were also abandoned under the new government.
“The Gabba is at its end of life,” Crisafulli said. “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.
“It became a choice between spending billions on temporary facilities and temporary stands that delivered no legacy, or securing the future of AFL [and] cricket at a new home,” said David Crisafulli.
It remains uncertain whether the Gabba will host after next summer, it will likely stage at least white-ball matches and could still hold test cricket again before being demolished.
There is likely to be another international venue to be build in Australia prior to 2032 with Hobart’s proposed stadium which will include a roof.
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