Games On! Delivers $30 Million Boost for Queensland Grassroots Sport

The Crisafulli Government has revealed a $30 million investment into community sport, launching Round 2 of the Games On! Grassroots Infrastructure Program.

The initiative is a core pillar of Queensland’s Olympic and Paralympic Games legacy strategy, designed to modernise local facilities well ahead of the Brisbane 2032 games.

By upgrading regional and urban facilities now, the organisation aims to lower barriers to participation and ensure that the benefits of hosting the Olympics filter down to every local club.

The funding is brached out to address both immediate field-level needs and long-term precinct planning, following a successful Round 1 that has already delivered 119 projects across the state.

Commenting on the Grassroots investment budget, Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tim Mander, said: “We’re backing Queensland grassroots sports with the upgrades they need to train our next generation of athletes.”

“From Cairns to Currumbin, every corner of Queensland will benefit from our Games On! program as part of the Games legacy to benefit all of Queensland,” Mander said.

Funding Streams and Strategic Priorities

The $30 million boost is distributed across two distinct funds, targeting different scales of infrastructure:

• The Field of Play Fund ($20 Million): Dedicated to smaller, community-level projects. This includes vital upgrades to fields, courts, club amenities, lighting, and shade structures to enhance daily participation.

• The Partnership Fund ($10 Million): Focused on larger, collaborative developments. This stream supports multi-use precincts and clubhouses that improve functionality for regional events and future high-performance training.

Shortlisted applicants will have access to the newly launched Sport HQ “Places and Spaces” resources, providing professional guidance on project scoping and delivery.

 Games On! 2026 Economic and Community Impact

The program arrives as part of a broader “2032 Delivery Plan,” ensuring that the $1.87 billion venue master plan is balanced with grassroots investment.

Registrations of Interest (ROI) close on 18 March 2026, with the government prioritising projects that can demonstrate immediate community benefit and inclusive design.

Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington highlighted that the program is specifically designed to support regional volunteers and athletes, ensuring that the 2032 legacy is not just “Brisbane-centric.”

Internal Department of Sport data suggests that facility quality remains the #1 factor in athlete retention for Queenslanders aged 12-18, a key demographic for the 2032 talent identification program.

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