Willows Sports Complex
The Willows Sports Complex was a former stadium located in Townsville which served as the home of NRL club, North Queensland Cowboys. Most recently known by its commercial name of 1300SMILES Stadium, the rectangular Townsville venue hosted its final event in 2019 and was demolished in late 2022.
The stadium opened in 1994 after being converted from a trotting track and originally had a capacity of 31,000, including seating for 10,000. As more seats were added, the capacity was reduced to 21,500, however extensions to the Eastern Grandstand were completed in early 2006, lifting the capacity to 26,500.
The venue featured a western grandstand which incorporated corporate facilities and bars, with grass hills and open seating surrounding the rest of the playing field.
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 of the stadium was undecided for some time, however demolition works finally got underway in September 2022 and are expected to be competed by May 2023. The site will be transformed into an emergency services hub, which will eventually host a $30m police facility.
Willows Sports Complex Details
Stockland Stadium
Malanda Stadium
Dairy Farmers Stadium
1300SMILES Stadium
Rugby Union
Football
