Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has unveiled the state’s plans for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which include a new Brisbane Stadium, a new National Aquatic Centre, a major expansion of the Queensland Tennis Centre and a dedicated para-sport facility for the city.
The state’s plan, titled “Delivering 2032 and Beyond” has been formed in response to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority’s (GIICA’s) 100-Day Review, which was delivered to the government on 8 March 2025. The plan involves a $7.1 billion capital works program of new and upgraded venues and infrastructure, as well as a $250 million investment into upgraded community clubs across Brisbane and greater Queensland.
According to Crisafulli, “Brisbane will be centre stage for the greatest show on earth and the benefits will last for decades after the Closing Ceremony.”
The heart of the games will be located 2 kilometres north of Brisbane’s CBD at Victoria Park. According to a release from the Premier’s office, the public parkland, which was previously home to a private golf course, will be transformed into “a thriving central games precinct spanning Spring Hill, Bowen Hills and Victoria Park.”
The new stadium will be built at an estimated cost of $3.785 billion, seating a minimum of 60,000 spectators during the Olympics events and up to 63,000 attendees after the games. According to the plan, “Victoria Park offers a unique opportunity to develop a world class stadium which will showcase Brisbane on the global stage. Its inner-city location, city views and ability to integrate within a masterplanned park make it an unparalleled choice for an iconic sporting and entertainment venue.”
“A new stadium will allow Queensland to attract sporting and music events and be the new home for AFL and Cricket,” Crisafulli said.
The nearby RNA Showgrounds site in Bowen Hills will also be upgraded to deliver multiple games facilities. Within walking distance of the new stadium, the main Olympic Athlete Village will be built within the precinct and converted to permanent housing after the games. The Main Arena of the showgrounds will also be upgraded with a 20,000-seat outdoor arena, intended to serve the ongoing Queensland Ekka event.
Across the road, a new National Aquatic Centre will be developed to host the games’ swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming events at the site of the city’s heritage-listed Centenary Pool, designed by James Birrell and completed in 1959. The proposal is at odds with the GIICA’s recommendation to deliver a new High Performance Aquatic Centre adjacent to the current Brisbane Aquatic Centre in the city’s east.
In keeping with the GICCA’s recommendation for the new main stadium at Victoria Park, the Premier has decided to abandon plans to upgrade the Gabba Stadium in the south of the city. The Gabba will be used to host cricket in 2032, “before being transformed as a vibrant new entertainment and housing precinct,” the release reads.
The government notes that plans for a new Brisbane Live arena at Roma Street will also no longer proceed. Instead, the Brisbane Arena Priority Area will be relocated to the vacant GoPrint site in Woolloongabba, “paving the way for a permanent legacy in addition to a new housing and entertainment precinct over the Gabba when it is taken down.” According to the Premier’s office, the move will also bring security to East Brisbane State School, ensuring it is not relocated.
“While a Brisbane Arena is no longer required for the games, the Queensland Government has taken steps today to allow Brisbane Live to be delivered by the private sector, providing the opportunity for the Federal Government’s contribution to be directed toward other essential Games infrastructure,” the release reads.
Further afield, the Queensland Tennis Centre in Tennyson, currently home to Pat Rafter Arena, will be expanded to include a new permanent 3000-seat show court arena and 12 new match courts.
Eastwards, the Chandler Sport Precinct will be upgraded to support the National Aquatics Centre and to include a dedicated para-sport facility, as well as the Brisbane International Shooting Centre, which will be upgraded to increase capacity of the indoor range. The Premier’s office also notes that a New Redland Whitewater Centre will be delivered within the future Birkdale Community Precinct.
The plan also includes new Indoor Sports Centres at Logan and Moreton, which the government hopes will “address the growing demand for indoor courts in some of the fastest growing areas of Queensland.”
“With major new venues and upgraded sports facilities, greater Brisbane will have high-performance venues attracting world events beyond 2032,” Crisafulli said.
A new stadium on the Sunshine Coast, along with new and upgraded venues on the Gold Coast will be supported by new Athletes Villages at each location. Venue upgrades in Toowoomba, Rockhampton and Cairns will also enable events across the state.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
