Brisbane Roar announces it will play all A-League games at Dolphin Stadium

Brisbane Roar will no longer play its A-League fixtures at Suncorp Stadium with the club telling its members today all home games would be played at a new stadium north of Brisbane – but not all fans are impressed.

Brisbane Roar fans are divided about the club’s decision to play all its home games at Redcliffe’s Dolphin Stadium this season – not Suncorp Stadium.

A message sent to members from the club said all A-League games would be played at Dolphins Stadium, at Redcliffe, north of Brisbane, along with a number of W-League matches.

“In the 2019/20 season, the Moreton Bay region hosted top-team fixtures with A-League and W-League matches at Dolphin Stadium,” the statement read.

“The club will be looking to play its A-League fixtures at Dolphin Stadium for the coming season along with a number of W-League Matches either as double headers or a stand- alone fixture.

Hyundai A League at Dolphin Stadium, Redcliffe, Round 20. Brisbane Roar FC vs Perth Glory. Score: 1:1. Both captains, Brisbane Roar Tom Aldred and Perth Glory Diego Castro.

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“The club makes these decisions after taking into account the current economic climate as well as ensuring the Club can best serve its players, coaches, staff, sponsors, and most importantly, our dedicated members and fans across Queensland, Australia and internationally.

“Brisbane Roar will always be a team for all of Queensland no matter if you live in the north, south, east or west of our great state, or you’re among the 100s of thousands of supporters across Australia and around the world.”

Dolphin Stadium, with its recently completed new grandstand, now holds 11,000 people.

Roar played several A-League and W-League fixtures at Dolphin Stadium last year – with many of the games drawing a close to sold out crowd.

Fans commented it created a better atmosphere than games played at Suncorp, which still only attracted a crowd of about 13,000.

Roar vice-chairman Chris Fong told The Courier-Mail in February: “Suncorp Stadium has been an extremely heavy financial burden for us when we don’t hit our numbers, and we can’t afford to risk that anymore,” Fong said.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 21: Natasha Dowie of the Victory controls the ball in front of Clare Polkinghorne of the Roar during the round two W-League match the between Brisbane Roar and the Melbourne Victory at Dolphin Stadium on November 21, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Roar’s announcement of the change of stadium’s comes ahead of season memberships going on sale on Friday.

The announcement has been met with mixed reactions from fans on social media.

Some have welcomed the news, pleased with the better atmosphere and cheaper food and drinks on offer at Dolphin Stadium.

Others were not impressed saying it was not fair for members based on the southside of Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast.

At previous games transport has also been an issue, especially as there is no free shuttle bus running from Kippa-Ring train station or free buses to the game.

A Brisbane Roar spokesman said the club was investigating the transport issue.

Moreton Bay Regional Council and Brisbane Roar announced in July that the club’s W-League side an Academy would move to a new state-of-the-art $18 million women’s football facility at Brendale.

The complex is expected to be completed in time for 2023 Women’s World Cup.

The A-League is due to kick-off on December 27 – a draw is yet to be released.