Australia's Fortress Gabba To Be Demolished After 2032 Olympics

Arnav Chopra

Gabba Cricket Stadium (Source: @dhillow_/X.com)Gabba Cricket Stadium (Source: @dhillow_/X.com)

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The demise of the iconic Gabba Cricket Stadium in Brisbane has finally been announced by the Queensland Government. One of the most iconic venues in the country will be demolished after the 2032 Olympics as plans for a new stadium get finalized.

Gabba All Set To Be Demolished After 2032

In what is coming as massive news for cricket fans all around the world, one of the most iconic and well-known cricket grounds, the Woolloongabba Cricket Stadium, in short known as the Gabba, is also set to be demolished as the reigning Queensland Government has announced the plan to put it to rubble.

The Gabba Stadium has been a bone of contention for the Queensland Government, who are all set to host the 2032 Olympics, as the ground has lived up to its purpose.

According to Cricket Australia and the QLD Government, the venue has outdated facilities and adding up the renovation work would have increased the cost, which in turn would have had a significant impact on the economy.

Hence, after much debate and discussion over the past few years, it has now finally been concluded that the Government will raise a new stadium in Victoria Park, which would be able to accommodate 63,000 people with updated and higher profile facilities.

Additionally, the opening and closing ceremony of the Olympics in the year 2032 will also take place at the new stadium, which is said to be completed before the primed multinational global event.

However, the Gabba will be utilized until the 2032 edition to host cricket, especially the second Test match of the Ashes this year against England while some of the contests in the Olympics will also take place here including the gold medal match, alongside few of the white ball games during the summer.

Although, it has only been given one Test match in the upcoming seven-year window but more could be awarded given the circumstances. As for the Olympics, the matches will be taking place at the McKay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena and the Gabba, which is expected to be the final nail in the coffin for the century old venue.

As for the demolishing and rebuilding purpose, AU$2.7 billion were allocated for the plan, but were shelved off after high profile cost and public outrage considering the Labor Government was right behind the idea.

However, even after this plan, a further redevelopment plan was also taken off the radar as AU$600 million also seemed unnecessary at that stage. The new Victoria Park Stadium, will be the second venue for in Australia in the coming years with another Hobart Stadium likely to be inaugurated as Tasmania’s Government is keen on building the roof enabled venue before 2029.

Australia's Dominance At The Gabba

The iconic history of the Gabba Cricket Stadium dates back to the year 1931, when it hosted its first Test against South Africa. And since then, has managed to host 67 of the men’s Tests while also having two women’s Tests in its repertoire.

Because of Australia’s dominant record at this venue, it was nicknamed as the ' Gabbatoir' and the Gabba fortress, by the fans and pundits alike where the home side went unbeaten in all the Tests from the year 1988 to 2021 and it required a special effort from the Indian side to break their streak with a historic victory.