Cairns set to host football and basketball for Brisbane 2032 Olympics

Cairns has been guaranteed its position for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics with two venues set to host events.

Premier David Crisafulli MP pictured at the Howard Smith Wharves for the announcement of the Brisbane Olympics 2032 venues and infrastructure, Brisbane 25th March 2025. (Image/Josh Woning)

Cairns has been guaranteed its position for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics with two venues set to host events.

Premier David Crisafulli revealed his government’s Olympic infrastructure blueprint in Brisbane on Tuesday, following the completion of its 100-day independent review.

Mr Crisafulli denounced plans to move sporting events interstate, declaring “if the investment comes from across the state, then the benefits should be spread across the state”.

An “upgraded” Barlow Park will host football during the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

The premier then backed the city’s Convention Centre and Barlow Park to take to the world stage, hosting major events.

“Football and basketball will be played in Cairns, as well as cricket, should it be included,” Mr Crisafulli said.

Part of the legacy for Cairns from Olympic infrastructure investment would also include an upgraded Cairns Western Arterial Rd, between Redlynch Connector Rd and the Captain Cook Hwy and upgrades to the Bruce Hwy, the premier said.

Earthworks and preliminary roadworks have begun on the upgrade on a four kilometre section of the Western Arterial Road from two lanes to four at Caravonica. Picture: Brendan Radke

The full review is yet to released.

It is not yet known if Barlow Park will receive the full $91m worth of upgrades proposed by the former state government but the Premier said it would feature increased seating to 5000 permanent seats and upgraded spectator facilities.

Mr Crisafulli also said part of the 2032 delivery plan for Cairns included “leveraging the 20-year tourism plan for initiatives like Wangetti Trail,” however no further detail on its remaining construction were provided.

Former Cairns Taipan Alex Loughton welcomed the surprise inclusion of basketball for Cairns and said whether it was qualifying games or the Boomers, the sport would be supported by a strong existing fan base.

Former Taipan Alex Loughton pictured playing for the Marlins at Cairns Basketball Stadium. Mr Loughton is calling for the construction of a new local basketball stadium. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Cairns and Brisbane are sort of the basketball hubs of Queensland because of our participation in the national league, the Boomers have trained here, we’ve got a good facility so it was a little surprising but it makes a lot of sense,” Mr Loughton said.

With Mr Crisafulli determined the global event would leave lasting legacy throughout the state, Mr Loughton said a new $40m, eight-court facility for Cairns Basketball would ensure the Olympics were remembered beyond 2023, in the Far North.

“Cairns basketball from a grassroots level has a huge problem, we desperately need an eight-court stadium to handle the number of kids coming through.

“It’s a real bottleneck at the moment to be able to service training and games.
“And if it was built to FIBA Grade 1 standard, and was maybe a 3000 to 4000-seat stadium, it could host a future WNBL team. That’s how you would leave a lasting legacy for basketball in Cairns.”

Cairns MP Michael Healy also welcomed the blueprint which included Cairns as a host city, but questioned the finer details.

“We (the former state government) were told the Barlow Park upgrade was going to be $91m, well is that what they’re still proposing,” he asked.

“They mentioned basketball, but does that come with any funding or upgrades?

“And it was interesting that we didn’t see any mountain bike events, while we’re already hosting world-class mountain bike events up here.

“Overall, this is terrific for our kids, but let’s just look at the detail.”

Originally published as Cairns set to host football and basketball for Brisbane 2032 Olympics