The AFL has welcomed the Queensland Government’s decision to construct a new 60,000-seat stadium in Victoria Park that would be the new home of the Brisbane Lions following the 2032 Olympic Games.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said the decision by Queensland Premier the Hon David Crisafulli MP to support the recommendation of the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority to locate a new stadium at Victoria Park was “transformational for the city, the community and sporting codes.”
“It provides a sporting and cultural legacy that will continue for decades beyond the 2032 Olympics and makes Brisbane a destination for major games and mega events that will deliver the city and the state significant and ongoing economic benefits,’ Mr Dillon said.
“Our supporters have a strong history of travelling to games and I can’t wait to get to work with Brisbane and the Government in the planning process and then in ensuring that once it is built, we sell out games at Victoria Park in the same way we sell out the Lions’ games at the Gabba.
“I also can’t wait for the roar of 60,000 screaming Queenslanders when the ball is bounced at the opening Lions’ game at Victoria Park.
“We have created Gather Round and Opening Round and know we need to create more mega events if we are going to reach our goal of 10 million fans attending AFL and AFLW matches or our participation goal of more than one million registered participants by 2033.
“Knowing there is a 60,000-seat state-of-the-art stadium in Brisbane, we can now look at other opportunities in the future to drive capacity crowds and the associated tourism outcomes for the city of Brisbane and state of Queensland.
“This is such an exciting announcement for the Queensland community, and for all sports and the major events industry and I want to personally thank Premier Crisafulli, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie and their colleagues, along with the GIICA members who have worked tirelessly over the past 100 days for their commitment to sport in the state.
“I also want to pay tribute to the Lions and Chairman Andrew Wellington, CEO Greg Swann, Chief Operating Officer Sam Graham and their team – as well as thank Matthew Chun and the team at the AFL and thank Cricket Queensland, Cricket Australia and the wider Olympic movement for coming together to support a legacy infrastructure project.
“We are grateful for all the work that has gone into this decision to provide a lifelong legacy that amplifies the benefits of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games for years to come - and the best way the AFL can honour that decision is to work tirelessly to expand on the record numbers playing our game in Queensland and work just as enthusiastically to drive events and full houses at the new stadium at Victoria Park.”