The government of Queensland has announced that a new 63,000-seater stadium will be built in Brisbane ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Set to be built in the Victoria Park area of Brisbane, the arena will host both the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletics event at the Games.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli made the announcement despite previous pledges before the 2024 state elections that a new stadium would not be built. “I have to own that, and I will. I am sorry, it’s my decision, and I accept that decision,” he said.
The new stadium will become Brisbane’s home for cricket, with the famous Gabba stadium to be demolished following the conclusion of the Games. Cricket, which is being held in Los Angeles in 2028, could be played at the Gabba in 2032 before the arena is torn down.
A new 25,000-seater national aquatic centre will be built in Spring Hill near the main stadium, while a new 20,000-seater arena is planned near the main athletes village.
The rowing event will be held in Queensland’s Fitzroy River, which is known to host saltwater crocodiles but the government says the waters are safe.
Football will be held in Cairns in the far north-east of Australia, while the Brisbane Queensland Tennis Centre will receive significant upgrades in order to host the tennis event.