Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Stadium Sparks Outrage Over Victoria Park’s Future

A bold vision for the 2032 Games clashes with history. Can Brisbane balance progress and preservation as protests grow over its Olympic stadium?

, and Administrator

2026 January 7 . 10:26 AM

1 min read

In this image we can see a stadium. In the stadium there are flood lights, iron grills, spectators,... — In this image we can see a stadium. In the stadium there are flood lights, iron grills, spectators, persons standing on the ground, advertisement boards, display screens, cc camera, flags and decors.

Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Stadium Sparks Outrage Over Victoria Park’s Future

Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic stadium is set to become a $2.3 billion landmark inspired by Queensland’s iconic suburban homes. The 63,000-seat venue will rise in Victoria Park, a heritage-listed green space just north of the city centre. But the project has already sparked fierce opposition from conservationists and local campaigners.

Plans for the stadium were unveiled after Brisbane secured the 2031 Olympics in 2021, giving the city the longest-ever preparation period for a host. The design draws on the region’s traditional ‘Queenslander’ houses, featuring a wraparound veranda-style platform encircling the structure. Architects, though selected, have not yet been publicly named.

Construction is expected to begin this year, with completion targeted for 2031. The venue will host athletics events, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies for both the Olympics and Paralympics. Opposition has grown quickly. Save Victoria Park, a local campaign group, has announced a protest later this month against the development. Critics argue the stadium threatens a site of deep cultural and historical significance, inhabited by Indigenous communities for thousands of years. Early studies suggested the arena would cover 12% to 13% of the 158-acre park. However, a recent report claims up to two-thirds of the land could be ‘destroyed’ by the project.

The stadium’s future remains uncertain as public resistance builds. If completed, it will stand as a centrepiece of the 2032 Games, blending modern design with Queensland’s architectural heritage. For now, the debate over its impact on Victoria Park continues to intensify.