Olympics 2032: Wayne Bennett joins push for Suncorp Stadium redevelopment amid NRL GF poaching plans
There is a heavyweight push to drive funding into Suncorp Stadium for a giant makeover that could steal NRL Grand Finals from Sydney, and be a centrepiece of the 2032 Olympics.
Wayne Bennett has joined the push for Suncorp Stadium to be given an Olympic makeover in a move which would see Queensland bid for more NRL grand finals.
Former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk will next week deliver his stadium review for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and rugby league is hoping Suncorp gets the nod as host of the opening and closing ceremonies.
This was the recommendation of former Olympic boss John Coates when he met with Quirk last month.
There is a theory in American sport that a major stadium needs redeveloping every 20 years to keep pace with rivals and modern trends and it is 23 years since Suncorp was given a $280 million refurbishment.
“The important thing about a Suncorp redevelopment is that the benefits of it not just help rugby league but many other sports and even areas beyond sport,’’ supercoach Bennett said.
“This could be a great opportunity. There’s soccer and rugby union to be considered and it’s a bigger venue for concerts.
“The concerts are a huge thing these days and the bigger the stadium the better chance you are of getting the really big acts.’’
Bennett noted Brisbane recently missed out on hosting a Taylor Swift concerts which went to Melbourne and Sydney.
“I can remember the ground when it was Lang Park in the 1960s. It has been redeveloped a couple of time and the time is coming when it is due again. This could be a great opportunity and if it helps with the Olympics I am all for it.”
QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher said the prospect of a redeveloped Suncorp Stadium would greatly enhance Brisbane’s chances of hosting what would be its second NRL grand final.
“Of course the increased capacity to 65000 (from around 52,000) will help with potential grand final bids,’’ Hatcher said.
“Sixty five thousand is a pretty good number without being stupid. It would be great for a lot of rectangular field sports such as rugby league, rugby union and soccer.
“Given Brisbane’s likely population growth over the next two decades we need to get ahead of the game and think about a Suncorp upgrade now.
More Coverage
“People have a lot of reasons to stay at home now and we have to make it attractive for people to go and watch sport. In America you can order your food as you enter the ground on your phone.’’
Suncorp hosted the NRL grand final in 2021 when Penrith beat South Sydney and senior rugby league officials have been open-minded about a return ever since.
Despite the fact that a full rebuild of the Gabba – the original suggestion as the Games ceremony host – now seems little chance of getting the nod cricket and the AFL are still hopeful of getting some form of Gabba renovation.
From coma to champion: BMX star’s comeback finds a new track
She miscarried last week – now this brave Olympian is taking on a triathlon
1000+ athletes to benefit from revolutionary $50m retirement fund
False start as Ian Thorpe prepares for wild ride in Sydney to Hobart yacht race
‘Definitely reasonable’: Teen Olympian backs social media ban
