Cricket has a significant stake in the outcome of the Olympic stadium plans that the Queensland government has acknowledged.
Following the 2032 Olympic Games, cricket will relocate to a brand-new, 60,000-seat stadium in Brisbane’s Victoria Park neighborhood, which was constructed just for the event. The Gabba will be razed.
David Crisafulli, the premier of Queensland, unveiled the state’s most recent Olympic infrastructure plans on Tuesday. Cricket played a significant role in the announcement, which was influenced by the uncertainty surrounding the state’s future after it went through several proposals after being awarded the 2021 Olympics.
The Gabba was only assured international play until the men’s Ashes the following summer due to the ongoing dispute over whether the ground will be replaced or redeveloped when play Australia published its seven-year international site allocation in 2024.
“This decision gives us certainty about venues and scheduling which in turn allows us to ensure Brisbane hosts the very best possible international and domestic cricket,” CA stated in a statement. Together with Queensland Cricket, the AFL, and the Brisbane Lions, we fervently supported the construction of a stadium in Victoria Park. Cricket will be crucial in making sure that this large investment benefits Queenslanders and cricket fans in the long run.
“On behalf of the cricket community we want to thank the Queensland Government for seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give the fans, the city and the state the stadium they deserve.”
After only making an appearance at the Olympics in 1900, cricket will make a comeback in 2028 in Los Angeles. It is designated for Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena and the Gabba in what would likely be the ground’s last games before it is demolished, should it be kept for 2032.
“Wouldn’t it be amazing to see the Australian cricket team win gold at an Olympic final? The Gabba’s swansong,” Crisafulli said at an event in Brisbane.
The Labor administration had originally planned to destroy and rebuild the Gabba for the 2032 Games at a cost of A$2.7 billion, but that plan was shelved due to growing expenses. Under Labor, a $600 million makeover was planned, but the new administration also scrapped those plans.
“The Gabba is at its end of life,” Crisafulli said. “It hasn’t been well maintained, and we do need a stadium to host this great show, and there is an opportunity for legacy play.
“It became a choice between spending billions on temporary facilities and temporary stands that delivered no legacy, or securing the future of AFL [and] cricket at a new home.”
Queensland Cricket welcomed the latest plans with the new stadium providing clarity over the future.
“The Gabba has been wonderful venue for cricket for many years and has provided fans and players with countless memories – however the challenges the stadium faces are well documented, and we need to look to the future,” chief executive Terry Svenson said. “There is now the opportunity for Queensland to attract the world’s best cricket events, such as ICC events, men’s and women’s Ashes Series, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between Australia and India, as well has hosting the BBL and WBBL in a new purpose-built stadium.
“Thirty years ago this week, the Gabba was in the very early stages of its major redevelopment as the historic Sheffield Shield Final was being played, with many ensuing highlights following in the past three decades.
“Today’s decision gives us certainty after many years without clarity. We now stand at the starting line as Queensland prepares to unveil a signature stadium that will be known the world over.”
In addition to hosting its first Test in 1931, the Gabba has held 67 men’s matches and two women’s Tests, the most recent of which was the Border-Gavaskar Trophy draw due to weather.
It became the traditional starting point for Australian Test summers although that had changed in recent seasons with Perth staging the opening game as it will against England in 2025-26. The Brisbane Test is the second of the series and will be a day-night encounter.
While it remains uncertain what international cricket the Gabba will host after next summer, it will likely stage at least white-ball matches and could still hold Test cricket again before being consigned to rubble.
There is likely to be another new international venue in Australia prior to 2032 with Hobart’s proposed stadium, which will include a roof, set to be ready by 2029 as part of Tasmania gaining an AFL team.
