2032 Olympic Games: Gabba redevelopment could get Brisbane Lions and The Ashes for Gold Coast
The Gold Coast has made the short-list as a temporary home for the Brisbane Lions, with a push now on to poach the world’s biggest cricket rivalry away from Brisbane.
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The Gold Coast can capitalise on a Gabba shutdown – making the short-list as a temporary home for the Brisbane Lions and with a push now on to poach the world’s biggest cricket rivalry.
Mayor Tom Tate will bid for the Gold Coast to become the new home of Queensland’s Ashes clash – historically the first test of the summer – while the Gabba ground undergoes its $2.7bn redevelopment for the 2032 Olympic Games.
In what is shaping up to be a major coup for the city, the Brisbane Lions have confirmed they are considering moving to the Gold Coast during the five years the Gabba is unavailable.
“They’re going to knock down the Gabba so we should be able to host the cricket (and the Ashes),” Mr Tate said.
“The Gabba will take up to five years to build we can host cricket and AFL right here at Heritage Bank Stadium.
“We will be able to win there and, if the Gabba rebuild doesn’t get done in time for the Olympics, we could always host the Games here too.”
The redevelopment is expected to occur between 2026 and 2031, in time for the Games to be held in July 2032.
This would mean up to six AFL seasons without the Lions’ home ground available.
Lions CEO Greg Swann confirmed the Gold Coast was a strong contender to be the team’s new home once the Gabba redevelopment begins.
“The Brisbane Lions continue to work with the state government to work through the viability of the four venue options; Brighton Homes Arena (in Springfield), Heritage Bank Stadium (Gold Coast), QSAC (in Nathan) and the RNA Showgrounds (in central Brisbane) while the Gabba is offline so we can settle on the option that provides the optimum outcome across all our stakeholders,” he said.
“The analysis will consider the impact on our many Brisbane Lions members and fans that regularly attend our matches, as well as the impact on our elite football program.
“The Gabba redevelopment will cause a significant disruption to our football club, which is why a complex and thorough analysis to understand the merits and legacy of each venue option is being undertaken.”
Likewise, the Ashes series will be held in Australia during the 2025-26 summer and again in 2029-30, potentially allowing the Gold Coast to host up to 10 days of the international first-class cricket at Carrara.
The stadium already hosts T20 Big Bash games during the summer.
A Cricket Australia spokesman said: “Cricket is engaging with the Queensland Government on the proposed Gabba redevelopment and what impact that will have on our scheduling.
“This will also inform the consideration of alternative venues,” he said.
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