What new 20,000-seat boutique arena at the RNA means for the iconic Ekka

A new private-public partnership, 20,000-seat stadium, units for 10,000 athletes and even a multistorey horse pavilion – step inside the cutting edge transformation of the RNA Showgrounds.

Not a single year of the Ekka will be lost despite construction of a 20,000-seat arena and expansive athletes’ village for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the boss of the RNA showgrounds has declared.

It can also be revealed the RNA will enter into a public-private partnership with the state government and it’s long-term partner Lendlease to build the Games venues at its Bowen Hills footprint.

Want to be part of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games discussion? Book your tickets now for Future Brisbane in October.

RNA chief executive Brendan Christou confirmed construction on the boutique stadium would ideally start straight after the 2026 Ekka and take at least 18 months to complete — with a brief pause on building works to allow the 2027 show to happen.

“The plan is to get shovels in the ground after the 2026 Ekka, bring down Machinery Hill and get lots of excavation work done,” he said.

“We pick up again after August and by 2028 its done and Lendlease begins the private development of the units.”

Brisbane RNA Showgrounds Olympic Main Arena upgrade and Athletes Village renders. Picture Supplied

The stadium will feature 20,000 seats. Picture: Supplied

Those units, which will house at least 10,000 athletes in 2032, will be built by 2031, Mr Christou said.

Major urban renewal at the showgrounds means the RNA has had to find innovative space -saving solutions — like building a multi-level horse pavilion so it won’t lose a single stable space.

It’s understood the new arena at the RNA could be used for sporting events like women’s AFL matches, or events like dressage meets.

The Stockman’s Bar will need to be relocated to make way for the athletes’ village, and the Cattlemen’s Bar will be resurrected as part of the arena development, but new locations are yet to be confirmed.

The private partnership between RNA and Lendlease will see an athletes’ village erected on the northern end of the site where the cattle and horse stables are currently backed onto O’Connell Terrace.

“Whatever the budget ends up being, it’s not going to be a grand arena,” Mr Christou said.

Housing lots will likely be offered as a mix of rent to buy, build to buy and affordable accommodation after the Games, depending on the arrangements of the partnership.

Brisbane RNA Showgrounds Olympic Main Arena upgrade and Athletes Village renders. Picture Supplied

An artist impression of a reimagined RNA showgrounds. Picture: Supplied

Mr Christou said he expects the Cross River Rail Exhibition station would be functional for Ekka 2025, but plans to have the station service the showgrounds during the Olympic Games is yet to be determined due to the proximity of the athletes village.

For legacy a walking in a corridor path behind sideshow alley and Exhibition station might not be ideal, but that will all come out in the (government) transport plan,” he said.

“With swimming coming in, there’s a lot of people to service for 2032, so there will be transport studies.”

The state government’s 100-day Olympic review recommended the RNA showgrounds be used as a non-competition venue during games, with equestrian events to now be solely hosted in Toowoomba.

But Mr Christou says if the arena is built by 2028 as planned, RNA could host lead-in or pre-Olympic training events.