Countdown on to North Queensland Stadium opening

The new Queensland Country Bank Stadium is just over a month from opening its doors and the centrally-located 25,000-seat stadium in Townsville’s CBD looks the goods.

It has all the features expected of a new stadium and is located within the Townsville City Waterfront Priority Development Area, adjacent to the Townsville Central Business District, with fans able to easily walk to the venue from the city centre.

Photos taken this week show the stadium nearing completion, with the majority of seats installed which are in the colours of primary tenant North Queensland Cowboys. The video screen and lights are installed, as is the exterior LED lighting and the carparking outside the venue.

The most obvious final piece of the puzzle, the playing surface, is set to be installed shortly, along with the fence.

The stadium features 500 more places available for corporates than at 1300SMILES Stadium, with 88 external corporate boxes, 17 corporate suites, two function rooms and special experiences such as the Field Club, Club Lounge and Sky Decks that overlook Townsville’s CBD and surrounds.

The grassed northern parkland and plaza will form part of the northern entry and provide a space for friends and family to meet before entering the stadium.

The horseshoe-shaped, cantilever roof inspired by the tropical pandanus plant provides an elegant expression of the building while shading about 75% of the seating, with generous overhangs over the concourse and main entry.

A free open day will mark the official opening, on Saturday 22 February. Elton John will have the honour of performing at the first event, on Saturday 29 February, before the North Queensland Cowboys play their first NRL home game on Friday 13 March, in a blockbuster against rivals Brisbane Broncos.

All tickets to the new stadium can be purchased through Ticketmaster – the official ticketing agency. Search for event tickets here >

Meanwhile, two streets adjacent to Queensland Country Bank Stadium will be named after former Cowboys coach Graham Murray and local footy stalwart Wally Tallis Sr, who were both instrumental in the growth of North Queensland rugby league. The streets will be named Graham Murray Place and Wally Tallis Snr Way, and another will be called Pride Close.

Photo credit: Visual Pty Ltd Drone Services Townsville.