Brisbane Lions boss Greg Swann demands new 55,000-seat stadium in city

The chief executive of the Brisbane Lions has thrown his support behind calls for new oval stadium saying it would service the city for “the next four decades and beyond”.

Charlie Cameron of the Lions celebrates kicking a goal during the round 19 AFL match between Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans at The Gabba. Picture: Getty

Brisbane Lions chief executive Greg Swann has thrown his support behind calls for new oval stadium, saying it’s critical new infrastructure options must be investigated.

“Saturday’s match (against Essendon) is our eighth sell out for the season, we’ve signed on a record 62,000 members this year and participation at community level is at an all-time high,” Mr Swann said.

Lions boss Greg Swann has thrown his support behind a new oval stadium. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

“Given the growth outlook for Queensland’s population, our game, and the Gabba approaching end of life, as we have said previously, we believe it is critical that the viability of a new oval stadium is investigated.”

The calls come days after it was announced Queensland will not feature in Cricket Australia’s plans for Test matches after next year’s Ashes due to ongoing uncertainty over the future of the Gabba.

“Any new venue needs to be in a central location, integrated with public transport, have sufficient capacity of around 55,000 to service the growing needs of the city and the state’s events and tourism economy and be close to a precinct that can be activated to support pre- and post-game activities for patrons,” Mr Swann said.

“This facility would service Brisbane for the next four decades and beyond.”

Spectators in the crowd enjoy the atmosphere during day one of the First Test match between Australia and South Africa at The Gabba on December 17, 2022. Picture: Getty

News of the loss of Test cricket at the Gabba prompted Australian cricket great Allan Border to publicly throw his support behind the need for a new Brisbane stadium.

“I’d be knocking down the Gabba and building a new venue from scratch at Victoria Park,” Border told The Courier-Mail last week.

“A brand new 60,000-seat stadium suits rugby, cricket, Aussie rules and the Olympics, and the Gabba becomes housing.”

Premier Steven Miles abandoned a $2.7bn plan to demolish and rebuild the Gabba for the 2032 Games and after an independent review also rejected a $3.4bn proposal to build a new oval stadium at Victoria Park.

Instead the state will spruce up the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, Suncorp Stadium and the Gabba for a combined $2.7bn.

AFL great Jason Akermanis last week said it was time for the government to “get on with it”.

“Stop wasting everyone’s time, don’t worry about the money, don’t worry about the haters, the Olympics are coming and people will come and see it,” he said.

On Saturday, plans for a bold Olympic mega precinct with a stunning 60,000-seat waterfront stadium were unveiled by a group of globally renowned architects.

They said the $6bn proposal would help solve the 2032 Games planning debacle and it wouldn’t cost taxpayers an extra cent.