Gabba’s Olympic swansong before demolition

Brisbane’s historic Gabba cricket ground is poised to host an Olympic gold medal event before the stands are demolished after the Games. Here’s what’s ahead for the 130-year-old venue.

The 130-year-old Gabba was found to have a litany of problems including a weakening roof structure and noncompliance with disability and fire standards.

Brisbane’s historic Gabba cricket ground is poised to host the Olympic gold medal cricket match before the stands are demolished to make way for housing after the Games.

Billed to be the main Olympic athletics stadium during Brisbane’s original Olympic bid, the Gabba will instead likely host cricket as its final major event.

The Gabba will be used for cricket and AFL until the 2032 Games when it will be demolished and replaced with housing alongside the new Brisbane Arena at the adjacent Go Print site.

Premier David Crisafulli said the Gabba was his preferred option, but insisted experts told him it could not be upgraded in time.

“I did believe we had time, I did – and some of the best people in infrastructure delivery said we don’t,” he said.

“I can’t run the risk of a venue not being ready on the world stage.

“That would be something we couldn’t recover from.”

Brisbane Lions and Queensland Cricket will continue playing at the 130-year-old venue until 2032 before they move to the new Victoria Park stadium.

An artist impression of Brisbane Stadium in Victoria Park for Brisbane 2032 Olympics. Brisbane Lions and Queensland Cricket will move to the new stadium when the Gabba is demolished. Source: Queensland Government

The 100-day infrastructure review repeated the litany of problems faced by the Gabba including a weakening roof structure and noncompliance with disability and fire standards.

It found the significant work required to fix the issues meant upgrading and rebuilding the Gabba was “not a credible option”.

Mr Crisafulli said it would have its final event in 2032 before being replaced with housing alongside the new Brisbane Arena at the adjacent Go Print site.

The Gabba is poised to host the Olympic gold medal cricket match before it’s torn down.

“The vision our government has beyond the games also includes the Gabba coming down to make way for urban renewal beside a world-class arena,” he said.

“Wouldn’t it be amazing to see the Australian Cricket team win the gold medal in an Olympic final – the Gabba’s swan song.”

Originally published as Gabba’s Olympic swansong before demolition