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Representing the collective voice of Australian football, Football Australia and Football Queensland, have submitted a comprehensive proposal to the Queensland Government's 100-day infrastructure review for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Forming an important part of this submission and infrastructure mix, is the urgent need for a Tier 2 purpose-built rectangular stadium, alongside enhancements to key training sites and an innovative regional focus.

This submission highlights Australian football's capacity to reshape a transformative legacy for Queensland while ensuring the Games' success through innovation, sustainability, and community-focused infrastructure.

As Queensland's largest participation sport, football plays a central role in connecting communities, with over 350,000 active participants statewide. Brisbane 2032 provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to leverage this position, delivering world-class infrastructure that ensure the Games' success while creating enduring social, economic, and sporting benefits.

Football's submission advocates for a strategic, master-planned approach that will deliver best for city outcomes, creating a sporting and entertainment spine across the inner city with integrated infrastructure that focuses on connection, innovation, sustainability and legacy.

Key Elements of the Submission from Football Australia and Football Queensland

Tier 2 Purpose-Built Rectangular Stadium (preferred location at Perry Park)

• A permanent 17,000 - 20,000 seat venue with the potential for 13,000 temporary seats during the Games.
• Designed to accommodate all rectangular sporting content, hosting international fixtures, domestic competitions, and community events as well as other sports, concerts and events.
• Strengthens Queensland's ability to host international tournaments currently not well equipped for, including AFC Asian Cups, and provides a sustainable, high-quality experience for football fans.
• Addressing long-standing challenges with overuse and scheduling conflicts at Suncorp Stadium, ensuring players perform at their best on an optimised surface.
• Delivers a financially sustainable and fan-focussed venue of domestic professional club football (A-Leagues and Brisbane Roar) and over 100 pieces of semi-professional and community football content.

Enhancements to Training Sites

• Upgrades to facilities like the Queensland State Home of Community Football at Meakin Park delivering a multi-sport, multi-purpose infrastructure solution in a fast-growing population corridor
• Ensures compliance with FIFA tournament requirements while leaving a legacy of high-quality community and elite facilities.

Innovative Regionalisation Approach

• Advocates for a regionalised approach to Games delivery, maximising the involvement of communities beyond metropolitan centres.
• Proposes innovative content-sharing, strategic partnership models to support regional participation and infrastructure development.

Cost Savings and Value Creation

• Identifies over $1 billion in opportunities through optimised venue design and optimised revenue streams
• Ensures investments deliver measurable economic benefits and tangible legacies for Queensland communities.

Whole of Game Support and Community Backing
The submission is backed by key international and domestic stakeholders, including the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), Australian Professional Leagues (APL), Brisbane Roar, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), and all Member Federations.

Chairman of Football Australia, Anter Isaac, praised the collaboration behind the submission noting "Brisbane 2032 represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a legacy for communities across Queensland and across the Asia-Pacific region. Football's submission aligns with a best for city, state and games, master-planned approach with a focus on innovation and sustainability, and it reflects football's leadership in creating infrastructure that will benefit generations to come."

Football Australia Chief Executive, James Johnson, highlighted the significance of a Tier 2 stadium for Queensland advising "a purpose-built rectangular stadium is critical to addressing the needs of the sport in Queensland. This venue will not only elevate the fan experience but also position Brisbane to host future international tournaments, strengthening Queensland's global reputation as a leader in major events"

Football Queensland Chief Executive, Robert Cavallucci, emphasised the grassroots and regional focus of the submission adding"Football Queensland's priority is to ensure the benefits of Brisbane 2032 extend to every community in the state. By investing in regional and grassroots infrastructure, this proposal ensures all Queenslanders can be part of the Games' legacy.

"These recommendations aim to deliver the right mix of major event and community level infrastructure for the sport that is played by more Queenslanders than any other. It will also guarantee a pathway for aspiring CommBank Matildas and Subway Socceroos in Queensland to represent their country on the global stage."

The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games represent an unparalleled opportunity to deliver a transformative legacy for Queensland and Australian football. Football Australia and Football Queensland are committed to working closely with all stakeholders to turn this vision into reality.

Football's submission to the Queensland Government's 100-day infrastructure review for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games can be accessed and viewed HERE. 

Image top: Cover for 100-day infrastructure review for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games; Image below: State Home of Community Football at Meakin Park

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