Cox and Hassell have been selected to design the new 63,000-seat Brisbane Stadium at Barrambin/Victoria Park ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The firms will partner with Japanese architecture practice Azusa Sekkei, which has been involved in the delivery of more than 120 stadiums globally, including the Japan National Stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Indigenous-owned design consultancy Blaklash will guide meaningful and ongoing First Nations engagement throughout the project.
In March 2025, plans to upgrade the Gabba stadium for the 2032 Games were abandoned in favour of a new 63,000-seat stadium at Barrambin/Victoria Park.
In August 2025, the Yagara Magandjin Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) submitted an application with federal environment minister Murray Watt seeking permanent legal protection of Brisbane’s Barrambin/Victoria Park. In September 2025, the Queensland government appointed Arup to lead the masterplanning of the Victoria Park precinct, as well as issued an open market call for expressions of interest to design the stadium.
A communique from the Queensland government stated the team comprising Cox, Hassell and Azusa Sekkei were awarded the stadium contract following an extensive three-month procurement process by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA). The release characterised the winning concept as a “Queensland response.”
Cox Architecture director and chair Richard Coulson said the concept design reflects Queensland’s relaxed character. “We are humbled and delighted to have been awarded the project which will be a stadium for all of Queensland … The stadium will be of the park and be a catalyst for increasing the connectivity, useability and amenity of Victoria Park … It will have a critical role in 2032 but its life after the Games will be its most important legacy for the community,” said Coulson.
“We believe the stadium must be truly of its place, reflecting not only the identity of Brisbane but also the broader region. It should foster the connection between where we live, the surrounding landscape, and nature itself.
“The importance of long views, capturing cooling breezes and the essential provision of shade, all embody the relaxed way of life that Queenslanders cherish – qualities that are integral to our culture.”
The Brisbane Stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies and athletics at the 2032 Games, before becoming the city’s largest and primary stadium.
Hassell managing principal Lucy O’Driscoll said the venue will “provide Brisbane with a vital piece of sporting infrastructure.”
“Innovative spectator experiences and a strong legacy focus will ensure Brisbane Stadium sets a new benchmark for adaptable, community-driven Olympic venues – creating a lasting asset for the city and its people,” said O’Driscoll.
“This design goes beyond just meeting the needs of major international events by ensuring the venue can be adapted for a wide variety of sporting and cultural uses, making it a genuine asset for the whole community.”
Earthworks for the stadium are anticipated to commence in mid-2026, while construction is expected to begin in early 2027.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
