Why Is Australia's Iconic Gabba Stadium Getting Demolished?

The iconic Gabba Stadium (Brisbane Cricket Ground) will be demolished after the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, the officials said on March 25 (Tuesday). 

Queensland's Premier, David Crisafulli, confirmed that a new 63000-seater stadium will be built in the Victoria Park area of Brisbane for the Olympics. Crisafulli detailed a slew of Olympic upgrades, including the new Brisbane Stadium in the heart of the city and an aquatic centre that could host 25,000 fans.

"This decision gives us certainty about venues and scheduling which in turn allows us to ensure Brisbane hosts the very best possible international and domestic cricket," Cricket Australia said in a statement. 

"We strongly advocated building a stadium in Victoria Park together with Queensland Cricket, the AFL and Brisbane Lions, and cricket will play a major role in ensuring this significant investment delivers long-term benefits for cricket fans and the people of Queensland.

"On behalf of the cricket community we want to thank the Queensland Government for seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give the fans, the city and the state the stadium they deserve."

The Queensland capital was awarded the 2032 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in July 2021, returning the Games to Australia for a third time after Melbourne 1956 and then Sydney 2000.

Two years ago, the state's then centre-left Labor government announced plans to expand the famous Gabba cricket ground and create a new 17,000-seat indoor stadium for the Games.

Crisafulli scrapped those plans on Tuesday, saying Australia would have wasted "billions" on temporary facilities that "delivered no legacy".

The 63000-seat stadium was billed as a "world-class" venue that would also host other major sporting events in the future.

"Wouldn't it be amazing to see the Australian cricket team win gold at an Olympic final? The Gabba's swansong," Crisafulli said at an event in Brisbane.

"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."

Queensland Cricket chief executive Terry Svenson added: "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."

Gabba hosted its first Test in 1931, and since then, 67 men's and two women’s Tests have been played at this venue.

(With inputs from AFP)