Key Sports Venues for the 2023 Brisbane Olympics
With the countdown to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics officially underway, excitement is building across Queensland and beyond. As Australia prepares to welcome the world once again, attention is turning to the impressive line-up of venues that will host Olympic and Paralympic events. From the announcement of a brand-new stadium in the heart of Brisbane to regional centres being transformed into Olympic cities, the 2032 Games are set to leave a lasting legacy across the state.
At the heart of it all is the newly announced Victoria Park Stadium — a show-stopping development set to become the centrepiece of the Games. Located just outside the Brisbane CBD, Victoria Park is currently an expansive public parkland. But by 2032, it will be home to a 63,000-seat stadium, purpose-built to host the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as track and field events. The stadium will be a defining symbol of the Games, offering a modern and accessible venue that will serve both the event and Queensland’s sporting future.
Victoria Park Stadium
The centrepiece of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics will be the brand-new Victoria Park Stadium, a 63,000-seat venue located just north of the Brisbane CBD. Set to be constructed over what is currently public parkland, the stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies along with the athletics events. It marks a significant pivot from earlier plans to redevelop The Gabba and represents a major infrastructure legacy for Queensland. Post-Games, the stadium is expected to become the state’s premier venue for AFL and cricket, surpassing even the iconic Suncorp Stadium in capacity. Its central location and proximity to major transport links make it a strategic choice, ensuring it remains a valuable community and commercial asset well beyond 2032.
National Aquatic Centre
Situated at the Centenary Pool site in Spring Hill, Brisbane’s new National Aquatic Centre will be a showpiece of the Games. With temporary seating for 25,000 spectators—scaled back to 8,000 after the Games—the venue is designed to host swimming, diving, water polo, and artistic swimming. The state-of-the-art aquatic hub will not only serve Olympic and Paralympic athletes but also cater to elite and grassroots aquatic sport for decades to come. Its design emphasises sustainability and legacy, ensuring it becomes a high-performance centre and a community recreation space once the Games conclude.
Chandler Sports Precinct
The existing Chandler Sports Precinct will undergo significant upgrades to transform it into a dedicated para-sport community hub. Already a major sporting facility in Brisbane, Chandler will host gymnastics, track cycling, diving, artistic swimming, and water polo preliminaries during the Games. It will also feature Paralympic sports, further reinforcing Queensland’s commitment to inclusive, accessible sporting infrastructure. Post-Games, the precinct will continue to support elite training, school sports, and community recreation in one of Brisbane’s fastest-growing corridors.
Brisbane Indoor Sports Centre
Located in the inner-north suburb of Albion, the brand-new Brisbane Indoor Sports Centre is being purpose-built to host basketball and wheelchair basketball events. With a capacity of 12,000, this venue will be a key location for high-intensity team sports. Its design focuses on flexibility, allowing the space to be used for a wide range of indoor events after 2032. As with many other venues in the Games masterplan, this facility will double as a long-term community and sports development asset.
Redland Whitewater Centre
The adventurous side of the Olympics will be on full display at the Redland Whitewater Centre, set to be built in Birkdale. Designed to host the canoe slalom events, the facility will feature an artificial river course engineered for Olympic-level rapids. But this won’t just be a one-off showpiece—post-Games, the venue is expected to become a hub for outdoor recreation and adventure sports in southeast Queensland. It will also provide educational, tourism, and training opportunities for water sports enthusiasts of all levels.
RNA Showgrounds
The iconic RNA Showgrounds, home of Brisbane’s Ekka, will be upgraded for the Games with a renewed main arena and new athlete accommodation. During the Olympics, the venue will host equestrian events, and the temporary athlete village constructed on-site will be converted into permanent housing afterward. This development aligns closely with the city’s housing strategy and aims to leave a meaningful social and economic legacy for Brisbane’s inner city.
Queensland Tennis Centre
Already a world-class facility, the Queensland Tennis Centre in Tennyson will receive further investment to prepare for its role during the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. In addition to tennis events, the venue will also host wheelchair tennis during the Paralympics. Upgrades will include a new show court and 12 new match courts, ensuring the site can support simultaneous competition and training sessions. The enhancements will reinforce Brisbane’s reputation as a key destination on the international tennis circuit and offer year-round use for tournaments and player development.
Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre
Another exciting new build, the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre will be constructed in Petrie to host the Olympic boxing competition. With 7,000 seats, this venue will meet international standards for combat sports while also doubling as a major local sports hub after the Games. Located in one of Queensland’s fastest-growing regions, the centre is expected to boost economic activity, youth engagement in sport, and community participation in fitness and wellness initiatives.
Barlow Park – Cairns
Far north Queensland will take part in the Olympic action with an upgraded Barlow Park in Cairns. This regional venue will host preliminary football matches, bringing world-class sport to one of Australia’s most beautiful and tropical cities. Seating and spectator facilities will be expanded to meet Olympic requirements, while infrastructure upgrades are designed to ensure long-term use for professional sport, tourism events, and local competitions.
Fitzroy River – Rockhampton
Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River will provide a scenic and natural backdrop for the rowing and canoe sprint events. Purpose-built infrastructure will be installed along the river to accommodate Olympic competition, but the investment will go much further. Improved facilities are expected to elevate the region’s status as a hub for water sports and draw future national and international events, while enhancing community access to the riverfront.
Toowoomba Showgrounds
The Toowoomba Showgrounds will be transformed into an Equestrian Centre of Excellence for the Games. This inland Queensland city will host equestrian competitions, showcasing the state’s regional capability and strong ties to agriculture and horsemanship. Post-Olympics, the site will continue to operate as a premier equestrian and rural event space, supporting both sport and the local economy.
A Statewide Vision
While the above venues are the headline acts, the Brisbane 2032 Olympics will make use of dozens of additional facilities across the state. Cities like Townsville, Mackay, the Whitsundays, and Wide Bay–Burnett will host events including sailing, cricket, and archery. Existing stadiums and community venues will also be used for training, warm-up events, and fan zones. Queensland’s natural assets—its beaches, parklands, and outdoor spaces—will be activated as Live Sites, bringing the Olympic spirit to every corner of the state.
A Legacy Beyond Sport
The Brisbane 2032 Olympic venues have been carefully selected and designed not only for competition but also for legacy. Whether it’s delivering permanent housing, improved transport connectivity, or long-term community sporting hubs, the venue strategy reflects a bold vision for Queensland’s future. It’s more than just a plan for 2032—it’s a blueprint for the decades that follow. As construction gets underway, the state is poised to set a global benchmark for how Olympic infrastructure can uplift and transform a region long after the torch has been extinguished.