Cricket fans only have a few years left to visit the iconic Gabba in Brisbane with plans to demolish the stadium having been revealed. The Brisbane Cricket Ground, as it’s officially known, was originally built in 1895 and has stood tall for over 100 years since.
It’s been a happy hunting ground for the Australian cricket team in the past, especially in matches against their fierce cricket rivals, England. During their previous nine visits to the capital of Queensland, England have lost seven matches, with The Gabba set to host the second Ashes Test of the 2025/26 series.
But the move to knock down the historic venue, which also hosts Aussie rules football, comes amid a regeneration of Brisbane’s sporting infrastructure ahead of the 2032 Olympics. Cricket is set to feature for the 2032 Games, with The Gabba pencilled in as the primary venue.
However, following the conclusion of the Olympics, cricket in the city will move to a brand-new 60,000-seater stadium in the Victoria Park area, which is being built specifically for the Games.
Commenting on the move, Queensland’s premier David Crisafulli said: “Wouldn’t it be amazing to see the Australian cricket team win gold at an Olympic final? The Gabba’s swansong The Gabba is at its end of life.
“It hasn’t been well maintained, and we do need a stadium to host this great show, and there is an opportunity for legacy play. It became a choice between spending billions on temporary facilities and temporary stands that delivered no legacy, or securing the future of AFL [and] cricket at a new home.”
Initially, the plan was to demolish the stadium and rebuild it for a whopping £1.3billion, but it was quickly scrapped over rising costs. It was then mooted the stadium could be given a £300million renovation, however, after a new government took office, such plans were also thrown away.
Commenting on the latest move, chief executive of Queensland Cricket, Terry Svenson, said: The Gabba has been wonderful venue for cricket for many years and has provided fans and players with countless memories – however the challenges the stadium faces are well documented, and we need to look to the future.
“There is now the opportunity for Queensland to attract the world’s best cricket events, such as ICC events, men’s and women’s Ashes Series, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between Australia and India, as well has hosting the BBL and WBBL in a new purpose-built stadium. Thirty years ago this week, the Gabba was in the very early stages of its major redevelopment as the historic Sheffield Shield Final was being played, with many ensuing highlights following in the past three decades.
“Today’s decision gives us certainty after many years without clarity. We now stand at the starting line as Queensland prepares to unveil a signature stadium that will be known the world over.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk