‘If by 2032 Developing The North is more than just a slogan we should see Olympic events up in the north’: Case for $300m stadium growing stronger

THE case for a $300m multipurpose stadium to be built on the fringe of the Darwin CBD has become stronger after Brisbane was announced to a preferred location for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, according to Hospitality NT

• Revealed: AFLNT’s $300m CBD stadium plan for Darwin

HOSPITALITY NT chief executive Alex Bruce says the case for a $300m multipurpose stadium to be built on the fringe of the Darwin CBD has become stronger with the announcement that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has designated Brisbane’s bid for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games “Preferred Bid Status”.

“If by 2032 Developing The North is more than just a slogan we should see Olympic events up in the north,” Mr Bruce said.

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“But without action, and a signature stadium capable of hosting events, we are likely to see hockey and soccer matches played in Cairns and Townsville whilst Darwin ­remains in the tropical cold.

“Last year’s Dreamtime AFL game broadcast messaging out of the Territory to a broad Australian audience – the most positive for a long time. We should be ­leveraging that and, with a signature stadium, be capable of hosting large sporting events that attract domestic and international fans. Key AFL clashes, English Premier League teams with large Australian followings that would plan a trip to the top end around seeing their stars Down Under.

Stuart Totham, Nigel Browne and Sean Bowden at the proposed Stadium site on McMinn St. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

Such a stadium hosting key events would fire hospitality into the next gear and improve the year-round offering for locals to enjoy.

“I know some think it’s a pipe dream, but 10 years to build a $300m stadium that could host Olympic hockey and soccer matches is something to look at. As awesome as the Sydney Olympics were in 2000 – by 2032 we should be saying Developing the North means events up in North Australia not Sydney.

“There has been previous talk about Darwin’s ability to compete for the Commonwealth Games. A new city stadium would be a great opening ceremony showpiece in our magnificent dry season. And it is an event that we could share with a cities like Perth, Townsville or Cairns.”

Mr Bruce said COVID-19 has changed the world in terms of travel.

“For the right events why couldn’t we market ourselves for domestic travellers to come up for a sports tourism product,” Mr Bruce said.

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“We get a great asset for sports tourism in the heart of the city and obviously hospitality gets a great kick along off the back of that. We have seen great international soccer teams come to Australia to play. If we can guarantee 25,000 seats sold, which we could, teams could come and do a Darwin match on their way to Sydney or Melbourne.

“There are so many positive benefits for Darwin and the Territory to come from this.

“Look, when you talk about iconic developments with benefit long into the future this city stadium stands out.”