Queensland Government announces commencement of design and construction procurement for new Gabba Stadium

November 24, 2023

The Queensland Government has today announced that its Gabba Project Validation Report (PVR) has been completed and that design and construction procurement will now begin for a rebuilding of Brisbane’s historic Gabba Stadium and transformation of the surrounding suburb of Woolloongabba into a mixed-use destination featuring retail, dining, housing and open space.

With the Gabba set to be torn down after the Ashes Test in 2025 and rebuilt for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, the plan for Brisbane’s largest urban renewal project since South Bank has set out a vision for the urban renewal precinct that will see it become a vibrant place on event and non-event days that is better connected and more sustainable.

The rebuild will boost the Gabba’s capacity from its current 42,000 to 50,000 for sporting events, and up to 80,000 for concerts and events.

Construction is set to take four years, with the new-look Gabba expected to start hosting events by 2030.

Under the plan, the Gabba will be linked to a concourse and a nearby Cross River Rail station which will be in operation prior to the stadium’s redevelopment.

The announcement from Queensland Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure, Dr Steven Miles explained that the precinct will provide a great mix of uses, from commercial and retail opportunities to hotel and residential options, including at least 20% and affordable housing.

It also revealed that the full stadium rebuild will support this vision, as well as providing an optimal fan experience and achieve international best practice.

Deputy Premier Miles explained “the Gabba’s 128-year history makes it iconic for Queensland, this redevelopment will ensure a lasting legacy to be enjoyed for another 128 years and beyond.

“This isn’t just about a stadium upgrade. This is about anchoring an urban renewal project that will see Woolloongabba transformed like South Bank was transformed for Expo 88.

“The Woolloongabba redevelopment, along with Cross River Rail and the Brisbane Metro, will anchor a major redevelopment of Woolloongabba to maximise the benefit of public investment and deliver more housing including social and affordable housing, more jobs, and better connectivity.

“… we’re giving Queenslanders a new, modern stadium with all the finishes, because …having a modern, safe, accessible, and globally recognisable stadium will help draw more national and international events, and we know one concert can produce up to $5 million in visitor spending in our economy.”

The new Gabba stadium will have:

Better viewing through an enhanced design to provide a 360-degree fan experience
Larger entries and concourses for better admission
Better connectivity and accessibility throughout, including lifts and escalators
Two pedestrian bridges across Main Street to form the ‘station to stadium’ connection between the stadium and the Cross River Rail station, as well as a pedestrian bridge over Stanley Street
improved, appropriate and accessible athlete, team and official changerooms
Team facilities with direct access to pitches and practice wickets
50,000 seats (potential for greater than 50,000 seats in legacy mode depending on the sport and Between 50,000 and more than 70,000 pax for concerts, depending on placement of stage and standing or seated, among other factors)
An internal service ring road to improve movement during events
Improved administration, operations and event day facilities that will boost efficiency
A range of new premium products including dining options, members spaces, and food and beverage outlets
Retail offerings inside including merchandise stores, and retail opportunities on the streets outside the stadium
International media facilities
Sustainability aspects like targeting a 6 Star Green Star rating, sustainable energy and water consumption within the stadium
Seamless connection to the broader precinct, currently being master planned to create a new mixed-use precinct with increased greenspace, retail and dining.

The venue will become the main stadium for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032 and will give Brisbane a contemporary stadium with improved viewing angles and increased capacity with "cutting-edge technology and lighting”.

The PVR provides detail on how The Gabba stadium will be fully deconstructed and rebuilt to support Queensland’s long-term sport, community, and entertainment needs before and for decades after Brisbane 2032.

Images: Concepts for the rebuilt Gabba from 2021 (top) and today (below). Credit: Queensland Government.

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