A new 63,000-seater stadium will be built in Brisbane as the centrepiece of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Queensland government has announced.
BBC Sports reports that the multi-sport arena, to be built in the Victoria Park area of Brisbane, will host the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletics.
The plans will see the new stadium become Brisbane’s home for cricket, with the famous Gabba stadium to be demolished following the Games.
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The decision, announced by Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, comes following numerous pledges before the 2024 state elections that a new stadium would not be built.
“I have to own that, and I will. I am sorry, it’s my decision, and I accept that decision,” Crisafulli said.
The government had toyed with plans to redevelop the Gabba – which was built in 1895 and has staged 67 men’s Test matches – but those plans were scrapped following a 100-day review into planning for 2032.
Cricket, which is being held in Los Angeles in 2028 and is likely to be retained in 2032, could be played at the Gabba before the arena is torn down.
“Wouldn’t it be amazing to see the Australian cricket team win gold at an Olympic final? The Gabba’s swansong,” Crisafulli said.
“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.”
Queensland Cricket backed the plans, with chief executive Terry Svenson saying the arena had been a “wonderful venue” but its challenges were “well documented”.
A new 25,000-seater national aquatic centre will be built in Spring Hill near the main stadium, while a new 20,000-seater arena is planned near the main athletes village.
The rowing will be held in Queensland’s Fitzroy River, which is known to host saltwater crocodiles but the government says the waters are safe.
“If it’s good enough for central Queensland kids, I reckon it’s good enough for Pierre from Paris,” said Crisafulli.
The Brisbane Queensland Tennis Centre will receive significant upgrades to host tennis events.
