Media Statements

While all eyes this week were on where the main stadium would be located, Ipswich’s Brighton Homes Arena (Ipswich Stadium) at Springfield Central remains the city’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venue.

The 100 Day Review Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure report released by Premier David Crisafulli this week reaffirmed Brighton Homes Arena’s existing position on the Brisbane 2032 Games masterplan.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the boutique stadium – the headquarters of the Brisbane Lions and the home ground of its women’s AFL team – had been consistently recognised as a Games-ready venue since the Brisbane 2032 Games were secured in July 2021.

“Brighton Homes Arena formed part of the original bid put forward when the Brisbane 2032 Games were secured. It was once again supported during the Games review commissioned under former Premier Steven Miles and remains in the 2032 masterplan following this review,” Mayor Harding said.

“Council pushed hard through multiple submissions to the review and its own advocacy, however Ipswich missed out on any additional commitments as part of the Australian and Queensland governments $7.1 billion funding for the 2032 Games.

“While it was great to see other growing councils such as Logan and Moreton Bay secure commitments for indoor sporting facilities last year as a result of strong advocacy from their Federal and State MPs, this unfortunately wasn’t the case for Ipswich.

“At the end of the day, there are 77 councils in Queensland and only a dozen have been confirmed as part of this review to host a Games venue. While most councils missed out altogether, I am excited that Ipswich will have a front row seat to the biggest sporting and cultural event our state has ever seen.”

The report by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) noted “Ipswich Stadium” (Brighton Homes Arena) was identified in the Future Host Questionnaire submission (2021) as the venue for the modern pentathlon with 10,000 spectator seats.

“Ipswich Stadium is serviced by rail, bus, active and private vehicle transport. Overall connectivity is good. Bus shuttle services to park ‘n’ ride and transit hubs will be required within Brisbane to cater for Games demands that cannot be met by Springfield Central Station. Improved last mile connectivity will also be required,” it said.

“There were few submissions received in relation to Ipswich Stadium. GIICA received a submission supporting the development of a second field at the venue which, while potentially useful, is not required for the conduct of Games competition.

“While the operations of Modern Pentathlon at Ipswich Stadium could benefit from the installation of additional services (power, water) as part of a second field development, the second field is not required to operate Games competition at the venue.”

The report also noted that Brisbane 2032 organisation is responsible for allocating specific sports to facilities, with this process to be undertaken when the sport program is finalised with the International Olympic Committee in 2026. The review body’s role was to demonstrate that sufficient sports venues are available, without specifically recommending sport allocations.