In a dramatic reshaping of Olympic planning and city-building ambition, Brisbane’s long-anticipated inner-city arena will no longer be a host venue for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Instead, the project—formerly envisioned at the Roma Street precinct—will pivot to a new location at the vacant GoPrint site in Woolloongabba under a bold market-led approach backed by the Queensland Government.
The move, announced as part of the state’s newly unveiled “Delivering 2032 and Beyond” master plan, aims to unlock long-term legacy infrastructure while allowing private investment to shape Brisbane’s cultural and sporting landscape.
A Turning Point for Brisbane’s Arena Ambitions
While disappointment lingers over Brisbane Arena’s exclusion from the Olympic venue list, optimism remains high among key stakeholders.
Harvey Lister AM, Chairman and Chief Executive (APAC & MENA) of ASM Global, the world’s leading venue management and services company, expressed tempered enthusiasm over the shift.
“After over a decade of investment and meticulous planning, we are of course disappointed that the Brisbane Arena was not selected as an Olympic venue at the Roma Street site,” said Lister. “However, we are heartened by Premier Crisafulli’s immediate commitment to inviting Market Led Proposals for the Brisbane Arena at the GoPrint site in Woolloongabba. This marks a renewed opportunity to deliver a world-class arena for our city—something Brisbane has never truly had in its inner core.”
ASM Global, which first entered an Early Operator Engagement Deed with the Queensland Government in 2018, had worked toward realising Brisbane Live—a visionary, 18,000-seat, state-of-the-art entertainment and sporting venue integrated into the city’s transit network. The move to Woolloongabba offers new prospects for this vision to take form in a reimagined setting.
GoPrint Site: The New Stage for Brisbane Live
The GoPrint site, adjacent to The Gabba, represents a strategic redevelopment opportunity within Brisbane’s inner-south precinct. The Queensland Government confirmed that the area will now serve as the “Brisbane Arena Priority Area” and will be open to private-sector proposals—a significant shift from the previously government-led model.
For ASM Global and potential investors, this transition opens the door to designing a venue that fits seamlessly into the emerging urban fabric, which is set to evolve dramatically in the lead-up to and beyond 2032.
Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Jarrod Bleijie has personally overseen Woolloongabba’s urban renewal potential. His leadership, paired with the Premier’s endorsement, sets a new tone for Brisbane’s post-Games cityscape that balances legacy infrastructure, community needs, and private innovation.
Olympic Masterplan: A Broader Vision for Greater Brisbane
While the Brisbane Arena shifts away from Olympic hosting duties, the broader infrastructure blueprint unveiled by the Queensland Government offers a sweeping, state-transforming roadmap. The Delivering 2032 and Beyond plan is the culmination of a 100-day Review, stakeholder consultations, and extensive community engagement.
Highlights of the plan include:
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A brand-new Brisbane Stadium at Victoria Park to serve as the central hub of the Games
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A National Aquatic Centre at Spring Hill’s Centenary Pool site for swimming, diving, and water polo
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Significant upgrades to the Queensland Tennis Centre, including a new 3,000-seat show-court and 12 additional match courts
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A 20,000-seat upgrade to the RNA Showgrounds Main Arena, revitalising the iconic Ekka precinct
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New Para-sport facilities at Chandler Sports Precinct
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A future Redland Whitewater Centre within the Birkdale Community Precinct
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Expanded indoor sports centres in Logan and Moreton to meet regional demand
View the complete 2032 Delivery Plan at www.qld.gov.au/delivering2032.
The Gabba’s New Role and the Future of East Brisbane
In a pivot that surprised many, The Gabba—initially earmarked for total reconstruction—will retain its role for cricket during the Games before being reimagined as a vibrant residential and entertainment precinct.
This decision secured the future of East Brisbane State School, which had faced potential relocation under earlier plans. Community preservation, heritage respect, and forward-looking urban design are key tenets of this revised plan.
Premier Crisafulli’s Olympic Vision for Queensland
Premier David Crisafulli heralded the new direction as a historic investment in Queensland’s future, stretching far beyond the Olympic flame.
“Brisbane will be centre stage for the greatest show on earth,” said the Premier. “And the benefits will be felt for decades beyond the Closing Ceremony. We’re building infrastructure that delivers for communities, not just for athletes.”
He added that the new stadium at Victoria Park will position Queensland to host global sporting and music events while serving as the new home for AFL and cricket post-2032.
“This plan is a gamechanger for our State, and with it, we will deliver a Games that every Queenslander can be proud of.”
Private Sector to Play Pivotal Role
By shifting Brisbane Arena’s delivery to a market-led model, the Government has unlocked the potential for timely innovation and cost-effective development. The federal funds initially allocated for the arena may now be rechannelled into other high-priority infrastructure, amplifying the legacy benefits of the Games.
This approach reflects a growing global trend: leveraging private capital and expertise to deliver public infrastructure with lasting value. With ASM Global’s unmatched venue management pedigree—including operations of venues such as Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, London’s AO Arena, and Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena—the opportunity to bring Brisbane Live to life in a new form is one ripe with potential.
A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity
For Brisbane, the decade ahead is no ordinary countdown to an Olympic opening ceremony—it is a rare moment to craft a legacy that matches the scale of its global ambition.
The GoPrint site stands as a blank canvas. The 2032 Games offer the palette. And the Queensland Government, with its partners in the private sector, now holds the brush.
What emerges will shape Brisbane’s skyline and define its spirit for generations.
For more information and updates on Brisbane’s Olympic infrastructure vision, visit the official Queensland Government portal: www.qld.gov.au/delivering2032.
Written by: Karuna Johnson
