Brisbane Olympics 2032 Stadium Gets Funding Boost

Queensland state officials have secured a deal with the federal government for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in Brisbane which commits the federal government to invest more than $2.23 billion, the single largest contribution towards sporting infrastructure in Australia’s history.

The agreement includes 50-50 funding for minor venues and $788 million toward a proposed 63,000-seat stadium main stadium at Brisbane’s Victoria Park. Investigative works at the site have begun with geotechnical studies and soil sampling ongoing.

“It is about ensuring that when we hand the keys back after the closing ceremony, Queensland has the infrastructure it needs to build on this incredible legacy for decades to come,” federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said.

It took more than 1,000 days and at least three major concept changes before a newly elected Queensland state government settled on a comprehensive venue plan in March. That includes a new 60,000-seat stadium and an aquatics center to be built in parklands close to Brisbane, as well as proposals to share events with regions outside the capital. The call to host rowing in a crocodile-inhabited river in Rockhampton has attracted concern and criticism from the public and sports administrators.

“Today marks a significant shift in forward momentum following the Queensland government’s announcement in March of its 2032 Delivery Plan,” Brisbane 2032 Chief Executive Andrew Liveris said.

In May, Kirsty Coventry was in Brisbane for a three-day inspection visit before she took over as IOC president. Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski replaced Coventry as head of the IOC’s coordination commission for the 2032 Summer Games after the Olympic swimming champion from Zimbabwe was elected to succeed Thomas Bach.