Warning of Suncorp opening glitches

Suncorp Stadium operators have warned football fans to expect teething problems in the $280 million facility's first fully operational test on Sunday.

Stadium chief executive Geoff Donaghy said testing a new stadium first-up with a crowd of 40,000-plus for the Brisbane-Newcastle rugby league match presented significant challenges.

By late yesterday 44,886 tickets had been sold.

"Given that we will only take possession of the Stadium on Thursday night, this first Broncos game is virtually a dress rehearsal (for Origin I on June 11)," Mr Donaghy said.

"So we have to be realistic and expect there will be teething problems."

Mr Donaghy said although staff had been planning and preparing for months for the opening "we are asking people to be patient".

Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen said the "house full" sign would go up after ticket sales reached 48,000 to ensure there was room to manoeuvre if there were unforeseen problems.

He said it was vital patrons used public transport.

"There is no parking at the stadium, or within the Lang Park Traffic Area which is about a 1.5 km radius of the stadium," Mr Cullen said.

"But patrons with pre-purchased tickets can travel free to and from the game on QR CityTrain and Brisbane Transport bus services."

The road closures, which, according to the State Government, were always part of the traffic management plan, will apply around the stadium, particularly between 3pm and 8pm.

Petrie Terrace Residents Association spokesman Derek Jones said the extent of road and parking restrictions on game day would be "quite a shock".

"I don't think it's struck home yet how widespread the restrictions are," he said.

Deputy Mayor and transport chairwoman Maureen Hayes said there was no doubt motorists would be surprised by the number of roads closed.

Cr Hayes said the "draconian measures" had been taken by the State Government because the stadium's traffic-management plan was based around public transport. "People will be amazed by how unwelcome the car is," Cr Hayes said.

On event days a five-minute parking restrictions will apply in most of the restricted local area surrounding the stadium and on-the-spot fines will be issued.

Work at the stadium is continuing up to the handover to operators Ogden IFC at midnight tomorrow.

The last of the 52,500 seats were installed over the weekend. Much of the remaining work is the finishing touches, including the testing of equipment, detailed cleaning and final painting and landscaping.

The public and members' areas and catering outlets and restaurants to the north, south and eastern stands have been completed, including catering facilities, television monitors and furnishings.

The road and pedestrian works are nearing completion particularly along Castlemaine St, Caxton St and Milton Rd.