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he Queensland Government has revealed The Gabba in Brisbane would be the ‘home’ of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and would receive a $1 billion redevelopment.

With South-East Queensland continuing its strong bid process for the rights to host the 2032 Olympics after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) named the region the preferred bid, Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, revealed the stadium would host the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as athletics.

As part of the $1 billion redevelopment, the plans include increasing the venue’s capacity by 8,000 seats to fit 50,000 fans and a connection from the stadium to the upcoming Cross River rail station in Woolloongabba, which is under construction.

Speaking about the redevelopment, Palaszczuk said: “Every Games needs a home.”

“The Gabba has been home to our sport since 1895.

“A home for the 2032 Olympic Games could be its crowning glory,” she said.

Speaking of the surrounding area and the Cross River Rail project, Palaszczuk said: “I can see the river lined with people watching big screens all taking part in the fun and excitement of the Games.”

“There’s South Bank leading to West End which is connected to Roma Street via the Kurilpa Bridge with a new bridge under construction for the new Queen’s Wharf development.

“There are city cats offering even more options for transport.

“All of this is infrastructure we already have,” she said.

Brisbane stadium designing firm, Populous, has provided the Queensland Government with concept designs for the potential upgrade, with director, Chris Paterson, saying The Gabba is in a prime location.

“Brisbane already boasts the world’s best rectangular stadium in Suncorp Stadium,” Paterson said.

“This is an opportunity to compliment it with the best round field stadium right in the centre of the city,” he said.

The Queensland Government has asked the Australian Federal Government for assistance in re-building the stadium, with Palaszczuk suggesting the stadium would need to be “essentially demolished” and rebuilt with greater height in the same location to fit an extra 8,000 fans.