The iconic Gabba Stadium in Brisbane is set for demolition following the 2032 Olympic Games, with cricket relocating to a newly built 60,000-capacity stadium in the Victoria Park area. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli announced the updated Olympic infrastructure plans on Tuesday, marking a significant decision for cricket's future in the region.
This move comes after years of deliberation following Brisbane's successful Olympic bid in 2021. Cricket Australia (CA) welcomed the certainty provided by the announcement. "This decision gives us clarity on venues and scheduling, ensuring Brisbane continues to host top-tier international and domestic cricket," CA said in a statement, as reported by ESPNCricinfo.
CA, in collaboration with Queensland Cricket, the AFL, and the Brisbane Lions, had strongly advocated for the new stadium in Victoria Park. "Cricket will play a major role in making this investment beneficial for fans and the people of Queensland," the statement continued. Cricket is set to return to the Olympic stage in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, having last appeared in 1900. If retained for the 2032 Games, matches may also be hosted at Mackay's Great Barrier Reef Arena.
The Gabba may potentially mark its farewell by hosting cricket matches before being torn down. Crisafulli emphasized, "Wouldn't it be amazing to see the Australian cricket team win gold at an Olympic final? The Gabba's swansong." However, he acknowledged that the Gabba is "at the end of its life" and hasn't been well maintained.
The iconic venue has held a total of 67 men's Tests and two women's Tests since first hosting a Test match in 1931. The Gabba became a traditional starting point for the Australian Test summer, though this role has shifted in recent years as other venues have emerged.
In the upcoming 2025-26 Ashes, the opening Test will take place in Perth, with Brisbane designated for the day-night second Test from December 4-8, 2025. England's historical record at The Gabba has been dismal, with the team winless there since 1986 and losing seven of their last nine encounters, including a defeat by nine wickets in 2021.
Initially, the Gabba was slated for demolition and reconstruction at the estimated cost of 2.7 billion Australian dollars under the previous Labor government, but this plan was shelved due to public backlash over rising expenses. A more modest 600-million-dollar facelift was subsequently considered, but that proposal was abandoned.
Premier Crisafulli noted, "We need a stadium for the Games and a lasting legacy for AFL and cricket. The choice was between spending billions on temporary facilities or securing a permanent home for these sports." The government aims to utilize the Gabba site to build housing after the stadium's demolition.
Queensland Cricket's CEO Terry Svenson expressed appreciation for the new project, stating it allows for forward-thinking regarding cricket's future. "The Gabba has been a fantastic venue for cricket for many years, but its challenges are well known. We now have the chance to attract the world’s best cricket events, including ICC tournaments, the Ashes, and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, in a state-of-the-art stadium."
As plans for infrastructure develop, the Queensland government also intends to construct a 25,000-seater national aquatic centre near the new stadium, emphasizing Brisbane's role as a competitive host for future events. Additionally, a new 20,000-seater arena is proposed near the main athletes' village. All these upgrades form part of the legacy that the 2032 Olympic Games will leave behind.
Despite the uncertainty regarding international cricket fixtures at the Gabba beyond the winter of 2025, the world will be watching as the Gabba prepares for what could be its final days as a cricket venue. In a final tribute, Queensland officials aspire to ensure that this storied ground concludes its history on a high note, potentially as the backdrop for an unprecedented Olympic cricket event.
