It’s official: The Gabba is set to be torn down after the 2032 Olympic Games wrap up. Cricket is gearing up for a new spot with a shiny 60,000-seat stadium in Victoria Park, Brisbane, which is being built specifically for the Olympics. Queensland’s premier, David Crisafulli, rolled out this news during a recent announcement about the state’s Olympic plans. Cricket’s fate has been a big deal lately, especially since there’s been so much back and forth about what would happen with venues after the Olympics were granted to Queensland back in 2021.
When Cricket Australia put out its schedule for international venues in 2024, they only promised the Gabba would host international cricket until next summer’s men’s Ashes. They’re still figuring out if the Gabba will be revamped or if they’ll start from scratch with a brand-new building. In a statement, Cricket Australia expressed their relief: This decision gives us certainty about venues and schedules, which helps us ensure Brisbane hosts the best international and domestic cricket possible. They worked hard alongside Queensland Cricket, the AFL, and the Brisbane Lions to advocate for the new ground in Victoria Park, citing cricket’s importance in giving fans and the local community a stadium that truly meets their needs.
Crisafulli even hinted at how thrilling it would be for Australia to take home the gold in cricket at the Olympic finals. He called it the Gabba’s swansong, alluding to the historic matches that have taken place there over the years. The Gabba was originally in line for an expensive renovation under the previous Labor government, with estimates hitting A$2.7 billion, but those plans hit a wall due to pushback over spiraling costs. They later considered a $600 million upgrade, but those plans were also scrapped when the new government came in.
According to Crisafulli, The Gabba is at its end of life. It hasn’t been kept in great shape, and we really need a reliable stadium for this major event. It boiled down to a decision—sink billions into making quick fixes that wouldn’t leave a lasting impression, or create a solid future for AFL and cricket in a brand-new location. Queensland Cricket gave a warm welcome to the updated plans, seeing the new stadium as a solid roadmap for what’s ahead.
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Terry Svenson, their chief executive, shared his thoughts on the Gabba’s legacy: The Gabba has been a fantastic spot for cricket over the years, giving fans and players tons of unforgettable memories. But let’s be real, the stadium has its challenges. It’s time we think about the future. With this new setup, Queensland could bring in top cricketing events, like ICC tournaments, Ashes series, and even the big leagues like the Big Bash League and Women’s Big Bash League in a fresh, purpose-built arena.
It’s worth noting that just thirty years ago, the Gabba was starting its major renovations while they hosted the historic Sheffield Shield Final, paving the way for many unforgettable matches over the decades. Now, with this latest decision, there’s a sense of clarity after a long period of uncertainty. We’re at the starting point for something new that promises to put Queensland on the map with an iconic stadium known worldwide.
The Gabba has seen plenty of action since it hosted its first Test match in 1931. It has held 67 men’s games and two women’s Tests, with the latest one being a rain-soaked draw in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Traditionally, it was where Australian Test summers kicked off, although that has changed in recent years with Perth taking the honor of hosting the first match, including the upcoming series against England in 2025-26. The Brisbane Test will now happen as the second game of that series and is set to be a day-night match.
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While there’s no clarity yet on what international cricket the Gabba will secure after next summer, it will likely host some white-ball games and who knows, it might even pull off another Test match before it meets its end. Plus, there’s talk of another new international venue popping up in Australia before the Olympics, with Hobart’s proposed stadium, set to be finished by 2029, aiming to bring an AFL team to the mix. So, there’s a lot going on and plenty to look forward to in the world of cricket and sports in general!
