Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has unveiled the state’s plans for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

What does the plan include?

The investment will cover the construction of a new Brisbane Stadium, a new National Swimming Centre, a significant expansion of the Queensland Tennis Centre, and a dedicated Paralympic sports facility in the city. The state’s plan, titled Delivering 2032 and Beyond, was developed in response to a 100-day review conducted by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA), which was delivered to the government on March 8, 2025.

The project includes a $7.1 billion investment in new and upgraded sports facilities and infrastructure, along with a $250 million investment in upgrading sports clubs across Brisbane and Queensland. According to Crisafulli: Brisbane will become the center of the world's biggest spectacle, and the benefits will be felt for decades after the closing ceremony.

The heart of the Games will be located 2 km north of Brisbane’s city center, in Victoria Park. According to the Premier’s office, the public park area, which previously served as a private golf course, will be transformed into a vibrant central Olympic complex, spanning Spring Hill, Bowen Hills, and Victoria Park.

© Archipelago

New stadium and Olympic Village

The new stadium, with an estimated cost of $3.785 billion, will have a minimum capacity of 60,000 spectators during the Games, increasing to 63,000 seats afterward. According to officials, Victoria Park presents a unique opportunity to build a world-class stadium that will showcase Brisbane on the global stage. Its central location, city views, and integration with the planned park complex make it an unrivaled choice as a sporting and entertainment icon. The new stadium will allow Queensland to attract sports and music events while becoming the new home of AFL and cricket, Crisafulli stated.

The main Olympic Village will be located at RNA Showgrounds in Bowen Hills and will be converted into permanent residential housing after the Games. The Main Showgrounds Arena will also be upgraded to a 20,000-seat outdoor stadium, hosting the annual Queensland Ekka event. Across the street, a new National Swimming Centre will be built to host swimming, diving, water polo, and artistic swimming competitions. It will be located on the site of the historic Centenary Pool, designed by James Birrell and completed in 1959. This proposal goes against GIICA's recommendation, which suggested constructing the center next to the existing Brisbane Aquatic Centre in the city’s east.

The abandonment of Gabba

Following GIICA's recommendations, the Premier scrapped the planned renovation of The Gabba, located south of Brisbane. Gabba will still be used for cricket competitions in 2032, but afterward, it will be transformed into a modern entertainment and residential space. The government also announced the cancellation of the Brisbane Live Arena project at Roma Street. Instead, the priority site for Brisbane Arena will be relocated to the former GoPrint site in Woolloongabba, allowing the development of a new entertainment hub and residential area at the current Gabba Stadium site after its demolition.

© Rae Allen (CC BY 2.0)

What else will be built for the Games?

Additional investments include the expansion of the Queensland Tennis Centre in Tennyson, featuring a new permanent 3,000-seat indoor arena and 12 new competition courts.

In the eastern part of the city, the Chandler Sports Complex will be expanded to support the new National Swimming Centre and will include a dedicated Paralympic sports facility. The Brisbane International Shooting Centre will also be upgraded to increase its indoor shooting range capacity. The government also plans to build a new Redland Whitewater Centre within the future Birkdale Community Precinct.

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The plan outlines the construction of new sports arenas in Logan and Moreton to meet the growing demand for indoor courts in Queensland’s fastest-growing regions. A new stadium in Sunshine Coast will be built, and in Gold Coast, new and upgraded facilities will be developed, supported by new Olympic Villages in both locations. Upgrades to sports facilities in Toowoomba, Rockhampton, and Cairns will ensure events can be hosted across the entire state.

With cutting-edge sports facilities and upgrades to existing venues, Brisbane will become an international sports hub, attracting world-class events even beyond 2032, Crisafulli said. The Queensland Chapter President of the Australian Institute of Architects, Caroline Stalker, emphasized: Queenslanders have the right to expect that this once-in-a-generation investment will deliver infrastructure that lasts for decades. This is about more than just sports – it's about creating spaces that will enrich communities for years to come.