‘Futuristic’ Gabba stadium a must for Brisbane’s 2032 Games: Experts

The Super Bowl gave the world a glimpse of the 2028 Olympic stadium, the forerunner to Brisbane’s own Games central.

Brisbane’s outdated Gabba must be transformed into a futuristic arena featuring groundbreaking technology ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, experts have declared.

A redeveloped Gabba will become the centrepiece of the 2032 Olympic Games, undergoing a $1 billion upgrade with its capacity expanded from 42,000 seats to 50,000 seats.

While the state government is yet to release function and design briefs for the upgraded stadium, experts have weighed in on the “unique opportunity” to redesign one of Brisbane’s two major sporting arenas.

A view of the national anthem during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Picture: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

SoFi Stadium, which will host Los Angeles’ opening and closing ceremonies in 2028, was beamed across the world yesterday when it hosted the NFL Super Bowl.

The $US5 billion stadium opened in 2020 and features a 6503sq m 4K screen, the latest Wi-Fi and digital ticketing systems and hospitality suites.

The eight-level, 70,000-seat stadium can be expanded to fit more than 100,000 spectators for major events under its jaw-dropping transparent dome roof.

The Gabba will host the opening ceremony of Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games before it is transformed for the track and field events and then the closing ceremony.

ASM Global Asia Pacific chief executive Harvey Lister said the redevelopment of the Gabba was a “wonderful opportunity” to build a stadium capable of delivering world-class sporting events.

Mr Lister said Brisbane should not spend $5 billion on a stadium, but said the structure should allow for upgraded technology and facilities to be installed as required.

The jumbotron hovers above Sofi Stadium during the national anthem. Picture:: Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images

“We’ll be building a stadium way before the technical and creative aspects have been thought of,” he said.

“It is the competition space and the performance space that matters … as long as the configuration of the space is 100 per cent right for the presentation of sport.”

Mr Lister said it was recommended stadiums build in “conduits” to ensure they could “take whatever tomorrow’s technology is”.

He said International Olympic Committee rules would stipulate the quality of viewing for each spectator.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council boss Daniel Gschwind said the state must use the Olympic Games to build a futuristic world-class stadium capable of attracting major events.

“We can have a gem here very close to the city and we have to aim globally and to aim high,” he said.

“There’s no greater stage than the Olympics to showcase your city and your attributes.”

An artist impression of the proposed $1 billion Gabba redevelopment which will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2032 Summer Olympic Games

Mr Gschwind said Queensland should “build the momentum” from now until the Olympics, and beyond, to ensure the state takes advantage of opportunities to create legacy projects.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk blindsided the federal government in April when she announced the $1 billion Gabba redevelopment would be a Brisbane Olympics’ “crowning glory”, but then added it would be contingent on Commonwealth support.

The lack of consultation about the announcement led to a stand-off between the two levels of government before Prime Minister Scott Morrison offered a truce, demanding a true 50-50 split not only on funding, but representation on the powerful Brisbane Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.

It is understood tensions over the Gabba upgrade have cooled, with the State and Federal governments in lock-step over the project.

Brisbane stadium designing firm Populous provided concept designs for the possible upgrade, and director Chris Paterson last year said the redevelopment was an opportunity to complement Brisbane’s world-class rectangular Suncorp Stadium with a world-class round stadium.

Major upgrades to the Gabba precinct are already underway, with a new underground train station part of the $5 billion Cross River Rail project set to open in 2024.

Cross River Rail will take sports fans straight to the Gabba doorstep, cutting out the current 20-minute walk from South Bank station, event bus from the city or getting stuck in cabs queuing back up onto the Riverside Expressway.

WHAT THE UPGRADED GABBA NEEDS

* A premium viewing experience for every spectator in accordance with IOC requirements

* Options to include ‘overlays’ of the latest technology in 2032

* Increased capacity by 8000 to 50,000

* An ability to transition and host Olympic ceremonies and sports, national and international sporting codes