20,000 seat stadium to be built at Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds as temporary Gabba replacement

The Queensland Government has announced that the Main Arena at Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds has been identified as the best possible temporary venue for the Brisbane Lions and cricket during the redevelopment of the Gabba for the 2032 Olympics.

The Queensland Government announced today that following an “extensive South East Queensland-wide review” it will commit $46 million to a $137 million “cost-effective” redevelopment of the showring, requesting that the remaining $91 million cost be shared between Brisbane City Council, AFL and cricket authorities and the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland.

Seeking a home venue for the Brisbane Lions AFL team and Brisbane Heat T20 cricket franchise during the expected four-year rebuild of the Gabba from late 2025, the RNA Showgrounds’ inner-city location beside a Cross River Rail station and proximity to after-game entertainment precincts was assessed as the most appealing option for spectators and the community.

The upgrade would create a permanent seating bowl below a temporary grandstand that, a press statement from Queensland Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe argued, would “create a lasting community legacy for bringing city and country together at the Ekka”.

Seating at the venue would be scaled back to 12,000 seats after Brisbane 2032. 

Minister Hinchliffe advised “the (Queensland) Government has worked closely with cricket and the AFL to find the best alternative venue for teams, spectators and the community while The Gabba is out of action.

“Upgrading the RNA Main Arena means keeping the big games in Brisbane and supporting the visitor economy while delivering an EKKA legacy for uniting city and country.

“Most Queenslanders acknowledge cricket and the AFL will need somewhere to play during The Gabba redevelopment. With many families facing cost-of-living pressures, the upgrade of RNA’s Main Arena is a logical solution, representing the best value-for-money for Queenslanders.”

Minister Hinchliffe’s statement thanked Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner for his support, noting that he had lobbied for the Showgrounds option as a “no-brainer” to keep teams playing in their home city.

However, following today’s announcement, Lord Mayor Schrinner said he was “taken by surprise” by it, noting that it was the state’s responsibility to find a new home for the Lions and Queensland Cricket.

Lord Mayor Schrinner stated “it was the state government’s decision to tear down the Gabba so it’s the state government’s responsibility to find the Brisbane Lions and Heat a temporary home.”

Lord Mayor Schrinner said the Queensland Government had previously included relocation costs and the need for a temporary venue in the Gabba rebuild project - and that it was now “quite clear that they’ve undercooked the funding”.

He said the Council was “always happy to discuss making a minor contribution” but the project would not go ahead “based on this funding model”.

The proposal suggests that work on the RNA Main Arena must begin by next year to be ready for the 2025/26 cricket season and the 2026 start of The Gabba redevelopment.

Image shows the concept for the redeveloped Main Arena at Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds. Credit: Queensland Government.