Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale has thrown his support behind the Queensland government’s unveiling of a new Victoria Park stadium to be the centrepiece of the 2032 Olympics, believing the growth of the AFL club had made the Gabba too small to host their powerhouse rivals.
While Neale expressed his love for the Gabba’s “old-school atmosphere”, the two-time Brownlow Medal-winner has witnessed the Queensland juggernaut’s membership base swell since emerging from the doldrums to become a premiership force.
Last year, more than 63,000 fans signed up as members when their team surged to the title, while the Gabba holds a capacity crowd of roughly 42,000 – compared to the Victoria Park vision of a 63,000-seat venue.
Brisbane Lions co-captain Lachie Neale has welcomed the news the Gabba will be retired, and a larger-capacity stadium built at Victoria Park.Credit: Getty Images
While Neale does not expect to still be playing when the stadium becomes the Lions’ new home, he recalls his final season at Fremantle when the WACA was phased out for the new Optus Stadium, and believed Brisbane would embrace the “shiny new digs” and enhanced viewing experience.
Optus Stadium was used as case study in the government’s 100-day Olympics review, with the report finding a 69.9 per cent attendance spike in its first 12 months, with its visitor attraction benefits projected to inject an additional $75.4 million a year for the next 29 years and $653.6 million of total economic output in that time.
“We’ve obviously got a large amount of members now and feel like we pack out the Gabba – even on the weekend, 30,000 against West Coast – so when we come up against some big Melbourne clubs, the Gabba is probably a bit too small,” Neale said.
“It’s a testament to our fans and the club and the way we’ve built the brand. I’m sure by the time that stadium is built, I won’t be around to play in front of that stadium, but it’ll be good to go and watch whatever happens.
“For fans and their experience, I’m sure they’ll love a brand-new stadium, and not just for footy but concerts and cricket and everything else. It’ll be great for the state.”
Moves to construct the Victoria Park stadium have been met with praise from the AFL and Queensland Cricket, with AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon confirming the game would now be able to look to Brisbane for “other opportunities in the future to drive capacity crowds”.
The Gabba does not meet accessibility standards, lacks modern amenities, and is on a restricted site with limited opportunity for expansion.Credit: AAP
Queensland Cricket chief executive Terry Svenson expressed hope Brisbane would once again be a staple of the summer code’s calendar.
As revamped venues in Adelaide and Perth left the Gabba in their wake, the ground was left off the hosting cities for the 2026/27 four-Test series between Australia and New Zealand – the first time in 50 years it has not featured in the rotation.
“The Gabba has been wonderful venue for cricket for many years and has provided fans and players with countless memories, however, the challenges the stadium faces are well documented, and we need to look to the future,” Svenson said.
“There is now the opportunity for Queensland to attract the world’s best cricket events, such as ICC events, men’s and women’s Ashes series, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between Australia and India, as well has hosting the BBL and WBBL in a new purpose-built stadium.
“Today’s decision gives us certainty after many years without clarity. We now stand at the starting line as Queensland prepares to unveil a signature stadium that will be known the world over.”
AFL and cricket had previously been asked to fund an upgrade of the main arena at RNA Showgrounds to give them a temporary venue while the Gabba was being rebuilt, but will now keep their existing schedule before moving to Victoria Park.
The Gabba will eventually be demolished and the site redeveloped as housing.
While Premier David Crisafulli acknowledged he had broken his “no new stadiums” promise, the plan also gives swimming a new inner-city aquatic centre, shifts hockey from a temporary Games venue at Ballymore to the Gold Coast, and will see an upgrade of the tennis facilities at Tennyson.
However, other sports, such as rowing, were left disappointed with the lack of legacy opportunities. Even Athletics Australia expressed mixed emotions, despite the track events being moved from the unpopular Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre.
“We have consistently advocated for a main stadium that showcases our athletes on the world stage, and we acknowledge that the new Victoria Park Stadium with a capacity of 63,000 will achieve this,” Athletics Australia said in a joint statement with Queensland Athletics.
“But there is more to this picture, beyond the 15 days of competition, about how athletics will be supported to thrive before and after 2032.”
