This was published 5 months ago
Festivals, football and free transport for Brisbane’s big weekend
By Sean Parnell
The NRL’s Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium is already sold out, and Caxton Street will be closed to vehicles this weekend to enable local traders to capitalise on the influx of tens of thousands of fans.
According to the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, the now-annual weekend of rolling rugby league games attracted about 47,300 tourists and 20,000 locals last year. That helped fill hotels and deliver an estimated economic benefit of $41.1 million to the city.
Fans outside Suncorp Stadium during Magic Round in 2023.Credit: NRL Photos
“Brisbane is a city that loves sport, and we are thrilled for the sell-out crowd of locals and visitors to experience a truly outstanding homegrown event,” said BEDA chief executive Anthony Ryan.
The Brisbane Broncos will be part of an NRL double-header on Friday night, with eight regular season games being played at the 52,500-seat stadium across the weekend.
Translink will provide free public transport for those attending the rugby league, with additional bus and train services scheduled to cope with the weekend crowds.
Across the river, at Musgrave Park in South Brisbane, the Paniyiri Festival will also be a major drawcard. With thousands of people expected to join in the annual celebration of everything Greek, parts of Edmondstone, Russell and Manning streets will be closed to traffic.
The Brisbane Lions will also have an AFL game at the Gabba on Saturday night, while the Brisbane Comedy Festival continues and other local events are scheduled around the city.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says, “Brisbane will be buzzing in May”.
“This weekend’s Magic Round and Paniyiri double billing will see massive crowds enjoy some of our city’s most loved annual celebrations of sport and culture,” he said.
“As the weather cools down and our major events calendar heats up, we look forward to hosting fans from across Australia and the world to experience the best of Brisbane.”
Magic Round is supported by the Queensland government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, and Brisbane City Council via BEDA.
Tourism is a major contributor to Brisbane’s economy, helping to sustain the hotel and hospitality sectors. International travel guide Frommer’s named the River City a “dazzling” destination to visit in 2024.
The state government has plans for a Brisbane Arena at Roma Street Parkland – connected to the stadium and the CBD by new boulevards and walkways – to host more events and further boost tourism.