QSAC, former home of Broncos and 1982 Comm Games, in mix to host Lions, Heat

The old home of the Brisbane Broncos and main stadium during the 1982 Commonwealth Games is in line to host Brisbane Lions and Heat games while the Gabba is being redeveloped.

The Brisbane Broncos won the 1997 Super League Grand Final in what was then known as ANZ Stadium in Brisbane.

The former home of the Brisbane Broncos and main stadium for the 1982 Commonwealth Games is being considered as a stopgap solution to host Brisbane Lions, Heat and potentially even Test cricket matches while the Gabba is being redeveloped ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

The 48,500-seat stadium at the Queensland Sport and Athletic Centre (QSAC), formerly known as QEII Stadium and ANZ Stadium, could spring back to mainstream relevance after decades of marginalisation.

Opened in 1975, the stadium is perhaps best known as the host of the 1982 Games, the scene of Games mascot Matilda’s famous wink, and as the home ground of the Brisbane Broncos between 1993 and 2002 – including hosting the 1997 Super League grand final. However the stadium that also hosted Davis Cup ties around the turn of the century, is these days largely used as an athletics venue these days, with a running track around the oval’s perimeter, leaving it relatively large seating capacity consistent under-utilised.

‘Matilda’ at the 1982 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

While plans are yet to be finalised, the Gabba is likely to undergo major renovations ahead of the 2032 Games, which would leave the ground out of action for as many as four years after the 2025/26 men’s Ashes Test.

That poses a serious problem for the venue’s tenant clubs, the AFL Lions and Big Bash League’s Heat, as well as Brisbane’s hopes of playing Test cricket at the back-end of this decade.

Several options to host Brisbane AFL games during the hiatus have previously been floated, including the Lions playing matches at Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium, at a redeveloped Brisbane Showgrounds, or at the club’s new training base at Springfield, which opened its doors for November’s AFLW grand final between the Lions and Melbourne.

However it can be revealed that the state government-owned QSAC facility is the subject of high-level talks to house the Lions and Heat during the break.

Because of its oval-shape and given its capacity is already more than that of the 42,000-seat Gabba, QEII would not require dramatic changes to be fit for purpose, providing the city another strong venue option long-term for relatively little cost.

The Lions averaged more than 25,000 fans at their home games last season. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

It is also only a short drive from Brisbane’s CBD, making it a much more convenient option for most Lions and Heat fans than the 27,500-seat Metricon.

The Lions averaged more than 25,000 at its home games this season, and drew more than 35,000 to a Thursday night elimination final thriller against Richmond.

QEII will also serve as base camp for the Matildas during this year’s World Cup.

Queensland Acting Premier Steven Miles explained during the week that negotiations with the Federal Government were the reasons plans for the Gabba redevelopment had not yet been released.

“The crucial component of course is negotiating the intergovernmental agreement with the Australian government,” Miles said.

“Once we’ve progressed those talks, we will be able to outline more of the detail of our plans for the Gabba.

“But as you would understand, we really want to manage those negotiations sensitively. We don’t want to undermine them by surprising the Australian government with details that they should have had the chance to properly consider in the context of that funding agreement.

“So we’ll continue to talk to the Australian government and when those talks have reached a point where it’s appropriate, we’ll make all of those plans public.”

Originally published as QSAC, former home of Broncos and 1982 Comm Games, in mix to host Lions, Heat