Willows Sports Complex
The Willows Sports Complex is the former home of the North Queensland Cowboys NRL club. The venue was commercially known as 1300SMILES Stadium up until it hosted its final event in 2019. The Townsville stadium opened in 1994 after being converted from a trotting track and originally had a capacity of 31,000, including 10,000 seats. As more seats were introduced, the capacity was reduced to 21,500, however extensions to the Eastern Grandstand were completed in early 2006, lifting the capacity to 26,500.
One thing people may notice about the ground is the lack of undercover seating. Given the lack of rain during Rugby league season in the tropical North Queensland climate, the designers felt that putting a roof on the ground was unnecessary. The main western stand is dwarfed by the rest of the ground, which is made up of hills with open grandstands behind it.
The naming rights sponsorship with Dairy Farmers ended following the conclusion of the 2012 season, with the venue re-branded 1300SMILES Stadium as of 19th February 2013, on a five-year agreement. The venue hosted its final NRL game in late 2019, with the new North Queensland Stadium opening in time for the 2020 season as the new home of the Cowboys. The future use of the Willows is unknown at this stage.
Willows Sports Complex Details
Stockland Stadium
Malanda Stadium
Dairy Farmers Stadium
1300SMILES Stadium
Rugby Union
Football
