Brisbane’s Iconic Gabba To Be Demolished After 2032 Olympics; New Stadium Announced 

In a landmark decision that marks the end of an era, the Queensland government has announced that the Gabba, one of Australia’s most storied cricket stadiums, will be demolished following the 2032 Olympics. 

The iconic venue, a fixture in Brisbane for over a century, will make way for a modern 60,000-capacity stadium to be constructed in the Victoria Park area, heralding a new chapter for sports in the region.

The Queensland premier David Crisafulli unveiled the plan for the new stadium, emphasising the need for world-class facility to meet modern demands.

"The Gabba is at its end of life. It hasn't been well maintained, and we do need a stadium to host this great show, and there is an opportunity for legacy play. It became a choice between spending billions on temporary facilities and temporary stands that delivered no legacy, or securing the future of AFL [and] cricket at a new home," Crisafulli said as quoted in an event in Brisbane.

The new Victoria Park stadium, estimated at a cost of $3.8 billion, will not only serve as the centerpiece for the 2032 Olympics but will also become the permanent base for Queensland cricket and the Brisbane Lions AFL team.

The decision reverses earlier proposals to refurbish the Gabba, which was only guaranteed international cricket until next summer's men's Ashes. The plan to refurbish the stadium faced fierce local opposition with costs estimated at $2.7 billion. 

"This decision gives us certainty about venues and scheduling which in turn allows us to ensure Brisbane hosts the very best possible international and domestic cricket. We strongly advocated building a stadium in Victoria Park together with Queensland Cricket, the AFL and Brisbane Lions, and cricket will play a major role in ensuring this significant investment delivers long-term benefits for cricket fans and the people of Queensland," Cricket Australia issued a statement.

"On behalf of the cricket community we want to thank the Queensland Government for seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give the fans, the city and the state the stadium they deserve," the statement added.

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Return of Cricket in Olympics 

The Gabba’s swan song could be a grand one. With cricket returning to the Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles and potentially retained for 2032, the stadium might host its final matches as part of the Games before the wrecking ball arrives. 

Crisafulli mused at the announcement, 

"Wouldn't it be amazing to see the Australian cricket team win gold at an Olympic final? The Gabba's swansong."

History of The Gabba

The Gabba, affectionately dubbed the "Gabbatoir" for its reputation as a fortress for Australian cricket, has hosted countless memorable moments since its first Test match in 1931. With 67 men’s Tests and two women’s Tests to its name, the ground has been the stage for dramatic victories, including India’s historic triumph in 2021 that ended Australia’s decades-long unbeaten streak there. 

The Gabba’s sharp bounce and pace-friendly wickets have made it a unique challenge for visiting teams, contributing to Australia’s dominance there from 1989 to 2021.

However, the stadium’s aging infrastructure and a capacity of just 42,000 have prompted officials to rethink its future as Brisbane prepares to host the world on an Olympic scale.

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