Roar open to Brisbane stadium move
Brisbane Roar are considering a move back to Brisbane full-time, with no stadium deal currently in place for next season.
It’s believed the Roar are considering a move to Suncorp Stadium, the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC) or Ballymore, which is currently being redeveloped.
The A-League club currently plays its home games at Kayo Stadium at Redcliffe, with that three-year deal expiring at the conclusion of the current season.
While the Roar initially had success at the boutique 10,000-capacity stadium attracting near sell-out crowds, its average attendance at the venue has dipped below 5000 this season, including just 3462 for their last encounter.
The club has played two of three games at its former home Suncorp Stadium this season, returning to the Brisbane venue for the first time since March 2020, with less than impressive crowds of around 8000 for both games.
Roar’s commercial manager Charlie Mann told the Brisbane Times there were issues with playing home games at Redcliffe.
“At the end of the day, we have lost lots of supporters going to Redcliffe – it’s not ideal being north – and it’s now league territory with the Dolphins being there as well,” he said.
“We just want to re-engage with our community and do what’s best for our supporters as well.”
The traditional home of rugby union in Queensland, Ballymore, is in the final stages of a redevelopment with the imminent completion of the 3010-seat western grandstand, forming part of the new $30 million National Rugby Training Centre.
However, it’s been revealed the stadium’s 4670-seat eastern stand is no longer considered safe for use, meaning its capacity would be restricted to just 8000, a far cry from the 18,000 it previously held. Limited seating in front of the eastern stand would still be able to be utilised, as well as the hill and new stand.
Another issue for the Herston venue would be transport, with lord mayor Adrian Schrinner saying it remained Ballymore’s Achilles heel, and the residential community around the stadium needed to be consulted about possible changes.
“With any major venue, there has to be good, quality transport,” he said.
“You see this with the Gabba having access to both rail and the Brisbane Metro bus services; we see that with Brisbane Arena [Roma Street] having great access to rail and bus.”
Kayo Stadium is located about 40 minutes by road from Brisbane and while the stadium has received further upgrades recently following the Dolphins entry to the NRL including broadcast-quality lighting and LED perimeter fence signage, the Redcliffe venue has fallen out of favour with the club’s supporter base.
At Nathan, QSAC’s facilities are dated, and the venue may be utilised for AFL and cricket while the Gabba is rebuilt ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. However, Stadiums Queensland has previously recommended the demolition of some of its grandstands, as it has also done for Ballymore’s eastern stand.
Meanwhile, the traditional home of the round ball game in Brisbane, Perry Park, remains well below A-League standard with no plans for an upgrade any time soon despite repeated calls in recent years.
Suncorp Stadium would appear to be the most likely option for the Roar given its history and facilities, however with the ASM Global-managed venue given the green light to host more concerts, its availability during the summer months may be further limited.
The Roar host Newcastle at Kayo Stadium on April 8 before playing Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium in their final home game of the season on April 24.
