Bumper weekend: Quarter of a million visitors expected for footy finals fever, racing and Brisbane Festival

The River City will be rocking this weekend with just under a quarter of a million visitors expected to jet in for footy finals fever, racing and Brisbane Festival.

The Broncos return to finals footy is headlining a bumper weekend in the river city, with a Suncorp sellout, combined with a Lions finals opener, a country music-themed race day and the continuation of Brisbane Festival.

Hot on the heels of a women’s soccer World Cup billion dollar bonanza, tourism and hospitality leaders are predicting it will be one of the busiest weekends in Brisbane in years.

The Broncos first finals appearance in four years has guaranteed a capacity crowd at Suncorp when they take on long-time foes Melbourne Storm on Friday night in a hugely-anticipated NRL finals opener.

The Broncos will play Melbourne Storm in an NRL finals opener.

Across town at the Gabba, another expected sellout crowd will witness the Lions clash with Port Adelaide in the AFL qualifying final on Saturday night.

Horses and boot scootin’ will be the theme for Saturday’s Bundaberg Rum Country Music race day at Doomben featuring multi-Golden Guitar winner Amber Lawrence.

Brisbane Airport is expecting almost a quarter of a million passengers through the domestic terminal over the next five days as interstate visitors flock in for the weekend sporting and cultural extravaganza.

Traveller numbers were up more than 6000 on the same period last year with flights between Brisbane and Melbourne and Adelaide looking full, Brisbane Airport Corporation spokesman Stephen Beckett said.

The Brisbane Lions will clash with Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

“When Brisbane Airport is busy, so are Brisbane hotels, bars and restaurants,” he said.

Accor Pacific CEO Sarah Derry said the accommodation giant’s 18 Brisbane hotels had solid bookings and were filling up fast.

“It’s shaping up to be bumper weekend for tourism in Brisbane, with the major sporting and cultural events triggering a surge in hotel bookings across the city,” she said.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the blockbuster weekend confirmed Brisbane as Australia’s events capital.

“With both the Broncos and the Lions launching their September finals campaigns in Brisbane this weekend, we know flights from Melbourne and Adelaide are booked solid with NRL and AFL fans,” he said.

“When flights into Brisbane are full it spells bonanza for the city’s accommodation providers, restaurants, cafés, hotels, the region’s tourism operators and good Queensland jobs.”

Caxton Street Development Association president Sarosh Mehta said the famed precinct leading to Suncorp Stadium would be pumping on Friday night as more than 50,000 fans packed in – most to will the barnstorming Broncos towards their first premiership in 17 years.

“I’m getting the vibe that it will be very similar to a State of Origin decider at Suncorp, there’s that much excitement,” Mr Mehta said.

Artist Bastian Allfrey working on a Brisbane Broncos mural on Wickham st, Fortitude Valley. Photo: Zak Simmonds.

“The Broncos haven’t been in the finals for four years and they haven’t had a home final since 2018, but they’ve absolutely been on fire this year and there’s a real buzz around them.

“Everyone’s fired up for the big game and Caxton St is ready to rock and roll.”

Mr Mehta said events such as the FIFA World Cup and NRL Magic Round in May had given Caxton St and wider Brisbane a huge “free kick” and helped businesses shake off the “horrendous” impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said traders including the iconic Caxton and Gambaro hotels had stocked up on huge quantities of food and drink and hired extra staff to cope with the expected onslaught.

“The Caxton might need a few extra kegs on standby if the Broncos win and Alfie (Broncos legend and trainer Alan Langer) drops in to celebrate with the fans,” he said.

Suncorp Stadium boss Alan Graham said the Broncos’ first home final in six years would help cap off a sensational year for the venue which has hosted the World Cup, Magic Round and concerts by the likes of Elton John, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles – with gigs by Paul McCartney, Def Leppard, Motley Crue and the Foo Fighters still to come.

“The stadium is ecstatic to have the Broncos back for a home final for the first time since 2018,” he said.

“What’s really exciting is the brand of football they are playing which should mean a full house for Friday night.

“The finals cap off a wonderful year for the NRL at Suncorp Stadium with ongoing benefits for locals businesses which help create the hype and atmosphere around the precinct.”

Country music singer Amber Lawrence ready for the Bundaberg Rum Country Music Raceday at Doomben. Picture: Liam Kidston

A nine-race card at Doomben will see as much action off the track, with food trucks, pop up bars, DJs and market stalls.

“I’m thrilled to be playing the Brisbane Country Music Race Day,” Ms Lawrence said.

“What better way to end a day out with friends than with rocking country music. I’m looking forward to putting on a fun and energetic show.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said there was a “massive buzz” about Brisbane across Australia.

“Brisbane is like a fine tuned engine when it comes to hosting Australia’s biggest events,” he said.

“As the incredibly successful women’s World Cup showed, our entertainment, hotel, restaurant and retail precincts all know how to kick it up a gear whenever Brisbane plays host to a major event.

“This week we’re launching into spring with a huge calendar of cultural and sporting events, from the homegrown Brisbane Festival and BIGSOUND music event to both the Broncos and Lions hosting home qualifying finals.

“These events don’t just offer great entertainment options for residents. They generate visitors, support local businesses and create jobs.”

The Story Bridge will be lit up in Broncos colours on Friday night.