Suncorp Stadium ready for NRL return after summer concerts

Suncorp Stadium is set to welcome back the NRL tomorrow with the Dolphins playing host to the North Queensland Cowboys in a Queensland derby to start their second season in the competition.

In a sign of the busy year to come, the game follows the second Queensland Reds home game tonight (Saturday 9th March) against the Chiefs before the Brisbane Broncos return home after their Las Vegas season opener to take on the Rabbitohs just four days later.

Since the Stadium hosted a triumphant Broncos Preliminary Final back in September, nearly 300,000 patrons have attended five concerts, 10 Brisbane Roar matches and the start of the 2024 Queensland Reds Super Rugby season.

In addition to this, the Stadium has been juggling its ongoing maintenance schedule in between events.

Advising that he is proud to show off some of the projects his team, with strong support from Stadiums Queensland, have been working away on including the 360-degree LED ribbon on ground level and the mid-tier, to complete during the ‘not-so-off-season’, Suncorp Stadium General Manager, Alan Graham advised “the team has been working tirelessly delivery some incredible new improvements to the venue including an extension of the LED mid-tier ribbon around the venue and an ongoing seating replacement program starting with updating approximately 23,000 seats on the lower seating bowl.

“The Grounds Team have done a phenomenal job managing an entire upgrade of their irrigation system, a renovation of the field surrounds and a progressive replacement of over 12,000 metre² of turf amongst concert bump-ins and outs and A-League fixtures.

“Some of our unsung heroes include the Operations, WH&S, Security and Venue Presentation teams who have managed the countless contractors coming through the venue while ensuring the Stadium has been presented immaculately for the events.”

Graham added “there are also some projects that patrons may not immediately notice, that will have an impact on their experience including resurfacing near both the North and South entrances and new permanent Bus Station Queuing system which will both decrease wait times and speed up egress for patrons.”

While the Brisbane Roar and Queensland Reds have already benefited from some of the venue upgrades, the Dolphins and Brisbane Broncos will now get a chance to test out some of the new features before a massive NRL Magic Round returns in May.

The upgrades over the ‘off-season’ follow a year of progressive improvements rolled out for the FIFA Women’s World Cup which included accessibility upgrades and new free public Wi-Fi for patrons.

Image: Suncorp Stadium. Credit: Populous/Ethan Rohloff.