Football Australia wants ‘tier two’ stadium built in Brisbane as part of 2032 Olympics infrastructure

With plans for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics yet to be cemented, Football Australia has proposed one thing it says will enhance Queensland’s “global reputation”.

Football Australia wants a purpose-built stadium in Queensland to help cater to the sport at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and give A-League club Brisbane Roar a new home ground.

As part of proposal submitted by FA and Football Queensland to the Queensland government’s 100-day infrastructure review for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a permanent “tier two” 17,000-20,000 seat venue – with the potential for 13,000 temporary seats during the Games – has been put forward.

FA and FQ’s preferred location for the venue is Perry Park, long considered to be the home of football in Queensland and a 5000-capacity ground that previously hosted Australia Cup games, A-League women’s matches and games in the old National Soccer League.

“A purpose-built rectangular stadium is critical to addressing the needs of the sport in Queensland,” FA chief executive officer James Johnson said.

“This venue will not only elevate the fan experience but also position Brisbane to host future international tournaments, strengthening Queensland’s global reputation as a leader in major events.”

Football Australia and @FootballQLD, representing the collective voice of Australian football, have submitted a comprehensive proposal to the Queensland Government’s 100-day infrastructure review for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.https://t.co/NAUOXFEHu3

— Football Australia (@FootballAUS) January 23, 2025

FA chairman Anter Isaac said the 2032 Brisbane Olympics was a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a legacy for communities across Queensland and across the Asia-Pacific region”.

“Football’s submission aligns with a best for city, state and Games masterplanned approach with a focus on innovation and sustainability, and it reflects football’s leadership in creating infrastructure that will benefit generations to come,” he said.

The venue would also provide a “financially sustainable and fan-focused venue” for the Roar, who suffer financial losses from attracting crowds of less than 10,000 at the 52,500-capacity Suncorp Stadium.

The tier two stadium proposal has also been touted as being “low risk in terms of procurement and staging of construction in time for 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games”.

“There are multiple examples of similar-sized stadiums being developed on time and on budget, including most recently the 30,000 Western Sydney (CommBank) Stadium in Sydney, which was constructed new at a cost of $300 million ($10,000 per seat),” the submission stated.

“The previously existing Parramatta Stadium was demolished in early 2017, with the new stadium officially opening in April 2019 – an overall construction timeline of just over two years.”

The FA and FQ submission also called for a 60,000-seat “tier one” oval stadium to be built, a “modest refurbishment” of Suncorp Stadium, which would included raising its capacity to 55,000 and the upgrading of FQ’s headquarters, Meakin Park, where the Roar’s men’s team trains.

Originally published as Football Australia wants ‘tier two’ stadium built in Brisbane as part of 2032 Olympics infrastructure