Confirmed: Gabba to be demolished & rebuilt

The Queensland Government has committed to a complete rebuild of the Gabba ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, with the design and construction procurement phase to now begin.

The new 50,000-seat stadium will be the centrepiece of a precinct featuring three new pedestrian bridges and 880 new apartments.

The project is earmarked to commence in 2026 with the government hopeful of the new stadium opening in time for the Ashes series in the summer of 2029/30.

In 2018, before the successful bid for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Stadium Taskforce Report found that the Gabba is a ‘tired’ venue and that it would come to the end of its useful life by 2030, indicating a rebuilt Gabba should be considered irrespective of the Games.

The new stadium will have a seating capacity of 50,000, with better viewing through an enhanced design to provide a 360-degree fan experience, while the venue could cater for crowds of up to 70,000 for concerts.

While the official capacity of the existing Gabba is listed as 42,000, its current maximum capacity for AFL and cricket matches is just 36,000, meaning the new stadium will accommodate an additional 14,000 spectators.

It is yet to be determined where AFL and cricket will relocate during construction, with the Brisbane RNA Showgrounds, QSAC, Allan Border Field and Brighton Homes Arena all flagged as potential options.

The Brisbane Lions are however supportive of both the 2032 Olympics and redevelopment of the Gabba, with Chairman Andrew Wellington saying, “It’s pleasing to hear the Project Validation Report has been approved and the process to rebuild the Gabba can move forward.

“The venue has been our home for the past 30 years and the redevelopment ensures it will be fit for purpose for the next 30 years.

“The venue has been our home for the past 30 years and the redevelopment ensures it will be fit for purpose for the next 30 years.

“As a club we’re likely to hit 60,000 members in 2024, we’re the hirer attracting the largest crowds, we’ve had seven sell outs this year and I have no doubt we will be filling the new Gabba on a regular basis prior to the Olympics and for years to come.

“We look forward to receiving a more detailed Gabba update and a decision on the Lions displacement venue from Government in the near future, recognising the needs of our many fans and the extended period of displacement.”

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said, “The Gabba’s 128-year history makes it iconic for Queensland, this redevelopment will ensure a lasting legacy to be enjoyed for another 128 years and beyond.

“This isn’t just about a stadium upgrade. This is about anchoring an urban renewal project that will see Woolloongabba transformed like South Bank was transformed for Expo 88.

“We’re going for the best bang-for-buck and giving Queenslanders a new, modern stadium with all the finishes, because it is the best value for money, and it will deliver much more than a stadium. 

“Having a modern, safe, accessible, and globally recognisable stadium will help draw more national and international events, and we know one concert can produce up to $5 million in visitor spending in our economy.”

The new Gabba stadium will have:

• better viewing through an enhanced design to provide a 360-degree fan experience
• larger entries and concourses for better admission
• better connectivity and accessibility throughout, including lifts and escalators
• two pedestrian bridges across Main Street to form the ‘station to stadium’ connection between the stadium and the Cross River Rail station, as well as a pedestrian bridge over Stanley Street
• improved, appropriate and accessible athlete, team and official changerooms
• team facilities with direct access to pitches and practice wickets
• 50,000 seats (potential for greater than 50,000 seats in legacy mode depending on the sport and between 50,000 and more than 70,000 pax for concerts, depending on placement of stage and standing or seated, among other factors)
• cutting edge technology and lighting
• an internal service ring road to improve movement during events
• improved administration, operations and event day facilities that will boost efficiency
• a range of new premium products including dining options, members spaces, and food and beverage outlets
• retail offerings inside including merchandise stores, and retail opportunities on the streets outside the stadium
• international media facilities
• sustainability aspects like targeting a 6 Star Green Star rating, sustainable energy and water consumption within the stadium
• seamless connection to the broader precinct, currently being master planned to create a new mixed-use precinct with increased greenspace, retail and dining.