Suncorp Stadium smashes attendance records with massive events

From FIFA to Foo Fighters, Britpop to Broncos, Suncorp Stadium is Brisbane’s No.1 destination in 2023 – and there’s lots more to come.

“The Cauldron” has been on fire like never before, with the FIFA World Cup, barnstorming Brisbane Broncos, NRL newcomers the Dolphins and mega-concerts by the likes of Ed Sheeran helping smash Suncorp Stadium attendance records.

New crowd figures reveal the iconic venue has recorded its biggest year ever, with almost 1.5 million people flocking through the turnstiles for sporting and concert spectaculars.

And attendances are set to soar even higher before year’s end, with gigs by other big-name stars including Sir Paul McCartney and Foo Fighters.

Even before more than 50,000 fans packed Suncorp Stadium to watch the Broncos smash the Melbourne Storm in Friday night’s NRL finals blockbuster, the venue had already broken its annual attendance record of 1.34 million people set in 2015.

Annual attendances are set to surge towards two million by year’s end, with 12 events still to go, including concerts by McCartney, Def Leppard, Motley Crue and Canadian star The Weeknd in November, and Foo Fighters in December.

Ed Sheeran played Suncorp Stadium in February.

A record 10 concerts this year – the most since the stadium was redeveloped in 2003 – have helped boost crowds to unprecedented levels, with almost 170,000 fans attending three back-to-back Ed Sheeran shows in February alone.

In May, as Suncorp hosted NRL Magic Round, the ground recorded its 20 millionth spectator since 2003 – a figure predicted to hit 21 million by the end of the year.

The eight FIFA World Cup fixtures at the stadium in July and August attracted more than 350,000 spectators, including 49,000-plus crowds for each of the three Matildas matches.

NRL debutants the Dolphins have also proved a major crowd-puller in their maiden season, luring almost 276,000 fans to Suncorp.

The Broncos’ stellar form in 2023 has seen them woo more than 435,000 fans to the stadium in a year when they were also forced to play three home games at the Gabba because of FIFA World Cup fixtures.

They are set to draw another packed house when they host the preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium in a fortnight.

Sam Kerr in action for the Matildas during the FIFA World Cup

NRL Magic Round attracted 147,000 spectators while State of Origin II in June – when the Maroons thrashed NSW 32-6 to clinch another series – drew a capacity 52,433-strong crowd.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the government’s post-pandemic decision late last year to lift the concert crowd cap at Suncorp to 60,000 for two years had helped the stadium smash records.

“As one of the world’s great rectangular stadiums, Suncorp is a quintessential part of Queensland’s great lifestyle and a significant driver for the visitor economy,” he said.

“Suncorp Stadium’s sport and entertainment content supports thousands of good jobs from the stadium’s workforce to pubs, cafes, restaurants, accommodation and tourism operators.

“With a dozen events still in the pipeline for 2023, there are undoubtedly more records at Suncorp Stadium ready to tumble.”

Suncorp Stadium boss Alan Graham said the crowd figures showed the venue was one of the most versatile and sought-after rectangular stadiums in the world.

He said 2024 was already looking like another big year, with the return of the Brisbane Roar to Suncorp and a series of Pink concerts.

The Queensland Maroons celebrate a try during State of Origin Game Two at Suncorp Stadium.

BOILING CAULDRON

SUNCORP STADIUM’S BIGGEST CROWDS 2023

February 18: Second Ed Sheeran concert (58,439)

March 24: Dolphins v Brisbane Broncos (51,047)

May 6: Day 2 NRL Magic Round (51,183)

June 21: State of Origin II (52,433)

August 12: FIFA Women’s World Cup, Aus v France (49,461)

September 8: NRL qualifying final Broncos v Storm (50,197)