Australian cricket legend Allan Border has backed a growing campaign to replace the iconic Gabba stadium in Brisbane with a new state-of-the-art venue.
Border, a central figure in Australian cricket history, is now advocating for a fresh start, suggesting that the Gabba be demolished to create a modern stadium elsewhere that could cater to multiple sports and the 2032 Olympic Games.
Often referred to as “The Fortress,” the Gabba has been a cornerstone of Australian cricket, boasting an impressive home record in Test matches.
As of 2024, Australia has played 66 men’s Test matches at the Gabba, winning 42, drawing 13, tying 1, and losing just 10.
India’s victory in 2019 ended Australia’s 32-year unbeaten streak at the Gabba.
Despite this formidable record, the Gabba’s future is now in doubt, with Cricket Australia reportedly excluding Queensland from its plans for Test matches after the 2025/26 Ashes series due to uncertainty surrounding the stadium’s future.
According to the Courier Mail, Cricket Australia is set to reveal a seven-year schedule for Test matches, which will secure fixtures in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide until the 2030-31 season.
Instead, the state government has invested $2.7 billion in upgrading the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC), Suncorp Stadium, and the Gabba.
Border acknowledged the challenges faced by Cricket Australia in this uncertain landscape, expressing understanding for their decision to leave Brisbane off the Test match roster.
“They haven’t got any certainty about the Gabba, so we’re off the roster,” he lamented.
“It’s sad, but they’ve got to have some certainty, probably over the next four years, if they can use the Gabba or not.”
The uncertainty surrounding the Gabba has sparked broader concerns among other sports as well, including the AFL, which also relies on the venue.
Border urged the authorities in charge of the 2032 Games to resolve the issue quickly, adding, “Because we have an election coming up, nobody wants to touch the hot potato of announcing where the main venue would be.”
“But I’ll have a crack and say knock the Gabba down for urban renewal, and because it’s on the city fringe, you could probably pay for the Olympics just by selling the property,” he said.
Queensland Sport Minister Michael Healy has assured the public that negotiations with Cricket Australia are ongoing, although he confirmed that fans could only be sure of the previously announced Test matches against India and England coming this summer.
Despite these assurances, the government’s current plan to revamp QSAC as the main venue for the 2032 Games has faced criticism.
Olympic gold medallist Sally Pearson has voiced concerns that the 40,000-seat arena would not be adequate for an event of such magnitude.
In an exclusive column for news.com.au, Pearson warned that sports fans would be disappointed if Brisbane failed to deliver a world-class venue for the Olympics.
“What will we see at the Brisbane Olympics in 2032, which will also be showcased to millions of TV viewers across the world?” she pondered. “Australians pride themselves on their sporting prowess, we boast that we love our sport, we always enjoy a big event, and we always love to support a big event.
“Brisbane will have a lot to live up to, particularly for the number one Olympic sport, to give the athletes what they deserve, which is the crowds’ electric atmosphere.”
Pearson’s concerns were shared by Olympic swimmer Cate Campbell, who urged Queensland to think more ambitiously about its plans for the Games.
“Having had a look at Paris, we need to really have a big think about what we’re going to do and where we’re going to host things,” she said in a recent interview on Nova.
“We need our government to think proactively. Brisbane and South East Queensland are only going to grow and get bigger. And how can we use these Olympic Games to set things up for the future growth of the city?”
In response to the criticism, Premier Steven Miles defended the government’s decision to focus on QSAC.
“The IOC is pretty good at running the Olympics, they’ve been doing it for a while now, and I’ll continue to take their counsel,” Miles said.
“This is the only option that provides an ongoing legacy for athletics, a permanent racing track, and facilities for track and field. I think it’s a good option.”
