The Gabba – design description

Why is a new stadium needed in Brisbane?

Following the successful hosting of the XXI Commonwealth Games in 2018, held in Gold Coast near Brisbane, state authorities and the National Olympic Committee supported Brisbane's bid to host the 2032 Olympic Games. On February 24, 2021, the city was selected by the IOC to be the preferred candidate to host the Games. After a phase of final negotiations, Brisbane was officially announced as the host of the 2032 Games on July 21, 2021.

In order to successfully bid to host the event, Brisbane had to identify the venues that would host the Games, and one of the key ones was to be a major stadium that could host the athletics events, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. Since the agglomeration lacked a suitable facility, planning for a new one began.

When was the concept for the redevelopment of The Gabba conceived?

In September 2019, information emerged about plans to build a stadium for 80,000 spectators. Various locations were considered. However, there were claims that Brisbane did not need such a large stadium. In April 2021, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that the main stadium for the Games would be built on the site of the existing The Gabba and would accommodate 50,000 people. Preliminary renderings of the new stadium, prepared by Populous, were also unveiled.

The plan was to demolish the existing stadium and build a new venue from scratch in its place. The Gabba opened in 1896 and has been upgraded several times since then, gaining its current shape after a phased reconstruction at the turn of the 20th century. The facility has an oval pitch and stands with a capacity of 42,000 spectators. It is one of the most recognizable cricket stadiums in the country, plus it serves Australian football and other events.

What was the new The Gabba supposed to be like?

With a capacity of 50,000 spectators, the new stadium would have been the smallest major stadium for the Summer Olympics in many years. However, this was part of the policy of cutting spending on the organization of the Games, advocated by the IOC itself. This does not mean that the construction of the stadium was going to be cheap – initial estimates already spoke of A$1 billion. The project was to be financed by the government and the state of Queensland.

After reconstruction, the facility should still be able to host cricket or Australian football. Along with the stadium, a promenade was to be built connecting it to a new underground station of the urban railroad. The location of The Gabba would make the main venue for the Games close to the city center.

Will the redevelopment of The Gabba be realized?

The estimated cost of redeveloping The Gabba has risen significantly over time, from an initial A$1 billion to A$2.7 billion. There has also been criticism over the need to relocate a nearby school if the redevelopment proceeds. Meanwhile, a preliminary plan has also been drawn up for an alternative stadium for the 2032 Olympics, to be built at Victoria Park.

On March 18, 2024, Queensland's new premier, Steven Miles, announced that both the redevelopment of The Gabba and the alternative project for a new stadium at Victoria Park would not go ahead. Under the new plan, the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games are to be held at Suncorp Stadium, while the athletics competitions will be held at the redeveloped Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre. The Gabba, however, is to undergo a more modest upgrade.