The Games will generate economic and social benefits for Queensland. KPMG quantified these benefits in a 2021 analysis that concluded the Games can drive $8.1 billion in social and economic benefits for the state, an estimated $4.6 billion boost in tourism and trade and $3.5 billion in quantifiable social benefits for residents.
Investigations and consultation undertaken throughout the Review have given GIICA confidence there is overwhelming support for a new oval stadium in Brisbane.
GIICA recommends a Main Stadium with a legacy seating capacity of 63,000 be delivered at Victoria Park, Herston, benefiting from strong transport connectivity from the busway network, adjacent Brisbane Metro stations and the Exhibition Railway Station
There has been extensive public discussion over many years about the future of the Brisbane Entertainment Centre (BEC) at Boondall, and several business cases and reviews have assessed and supported the need for a new arena in or near the CBD, regardless of hosting the Games.
GIICA recommends a world-class arena, with legacy seating capacity of 17,000, be delivered at the former GoPrint site, Woolloongabba, opposite The Gabba stadium.
The Review confirms the requirement for the delivery of a variety of indoor and outdoor venues of varying sizes and specifications. Responding to funding constraints and the IOC’s New Norm5 policy, GIICA has actively prioritised the use of existing venues and proposes new venues be established only where no suitable existing option exists, a strong legacy can be demonstrated and there is compelling community and economic justification for investment
Consistent with the commitment to make the Games an event for all Queenslanders, a range of Games events will be staged in regional locations. In addition to hosting football preliminaries in Cairns and Townsville, the Review yielded additional Games hosting opportunities in Toowoomba (equestrian competition) and the Cairns Convention Centre (indoor sport)
To drive a long-term benefit for regional communities, GIICA recommends the Queensland Government extends and enhances the Games On! Fund to enable the delivery of new or upgraded sporting infrastructure, and associated programs, for regional communities and proposes an investment of between $750 million and $1 billion be committed in the period leading up to 2032.
The Olympic Host Contract mandates provision of an accommodation solution for up to 16,400 athletes and officials during the Olympic Games and 6,600 athletes and officials during the Paralympic Games. Three legacy villages for the Games are proposed in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
GIICA’s assessment of the strategic and operational transport task for Games-time has identified nine critical programs that must be delivered by 2032
As anticipated, while the proposed program of works is not substantially different to the program previously contemplated, the current cost of this total investment has increased significantly since Brisbane was awarded the rights to host the Games in 2021 and the funding arrangements were subsequently finalised in February 2023. The updated program costs are:
- Stadium $3.785 billion
- Arena $2.385 billion
- Minor Venues $2.621 billion
- Total $8.791 billion
Relative to population growth, demand, and the quality and quantity of interstate assets, Queensland has seen significantly less investment compared to other jurisdictions in major sports stadiums and event venues over the last 30 years. Our main oval stadium (for Cricket and AFL), The Gabba, had its seating, stands and general structure built from 1993 through to 2005. Stadiums Queensland (the owner and operator) has advised that The Gabba is an ageing asset, particularly relative to the expected useful life of a stadium. In 2018, the Stadium Taskforce Report16 found that The Gabba had a remaining useful life of 11.6 years (circa end of 2030).
Through previous investigations, particularly during the Sport Venue Review (2024)18, it has been identified that there is a range of work required to resolve issues with The Gabba, including:
Historical data suggests that the introduction of new stadiums can have a significant impact on event attendance. For example, the opening of Perth Stadium resulted in a 36% growth in AFL match attendance, while Adelaide Oval experienced a 53% boost following its upgrade as the home for AFL in South Australia.
International Cricket test match attendances experienced the same growth, for example the recent India and Australia test match played in December 2024 had attendances across the first two days of the test which ranged between 35 – 45% higher than the maximum capacity of the previous Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) ground.
This highlights the potential for increased attendance and fan engagement in Brisbane with the development of a new stadium.
Construction of Optus Stadium in Perth was completed in late 2017. A report on the economic impact of Optus Stadium19 was completed mid-2019 that assessed the first 12-months of operations of the stadium and projected economic impacts of over 30 years. Key findings included:
Queensland has the lowest provision of major sporting stadium s e a t i n g capacity compared to population, at 60 people per seat. Other major states in Australia have an average of 36 people per seat, meaning there are more seats available for the community for sports viewing and events.
The Review assessed a range of potential locations for the Main Stadium. The options assessment process followed a structured, multi-stage, approach to identify and refine viable options. It commenced with the development of a comprehensive list of location options based on potential suitability. Using on this initial evaluation, a shortlist of options was developed, focusing on those deemed most feasible and impactful
GIICA recommends Brisbane 2032 consider Ballymore as a potential option for alternate Games use.
GIICA recommends the allocation of additional funding to enable upgrades to key Games training facilities, with a particular focus on Perry Park and Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC).
About the Author
