A major transformation of the Brisbane Showgrounds at Bowen Hills is set to progress ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the precinct to accommodate the Brisbane Athletes Village and receive a major upgrade to its Main Arena. The location is highlighted within the legacy master plan prepared by the Queensland Government’s Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning.
Prepared by the Queensland Government’s Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, the draft plan brings together the proposed Brisbane Stadium, National Aquatic Centre, Brisbane Showgrounds and Athletes Village into a single coordinated precinct vision. The draft is now available for public consultation before a final legacy plan is released in 2027.
The Queensland Government has announced a $287.5 million investment in the Brisbane Showgrounds, with the project intended to provide upgraded facilities for the Royal Queensland Show while creating a lasting legacy for the precinct beyond the 2032 Games. The Brisbane Showgrounds will become the site of the Brisbane Athletes Village, which is expected to accommodate more than 10,000 athletes and officials during the Olympic Games and more than 5,000 during the Paralympic Games.
Development Details
Project: Brisbane Showgrounds Transformation and Brisbane Athletes Village
Location: Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills
Investment: $287.5 million
Games use: Brisbane Athletes Village
Olympic capacity: More than 10,000 athletes and officials
Paralympic capacity: More than 5,000 athletes and officials
Post-Games use: Permanent housing
Main Arena: Upgrade to a 20,000-seat outdoor arena
Heritage works: Restoration and accessibility upgrades to the John MacDonald and Ernest Baynes grandstands
Accessibility: Improvements across the Brisbane Showgrounds
Ekka: Brisbane Showgrounds to remain the permanent home of the Royal Queensland Show
Project status: Transformation progressing ahead of Brisbane 2032
Brisbane Athletes Village
The Bowen Hills showgrounds will host the Brisbane Athletes Village during the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. According to the Queensland Government, the village will be the largest athletes’ village associated with the Games, providing accommodation for more than 10,000 athletes and officials during the Olympic Games and more than 5,000 during the Paralympic Games.
Following the Games, the accommodation is intended to transition to permanent housing, with the government stating that the project could provide thousands of permanent dwellings to help meet Queensland’s housing demand. The village forms part of the broader transformation of the Brisbane Showgrounds and surrounding Victoria Park precinct into a major recreation, events, entertainment and lifestyle hub.
Main Arena Upgrade
A key component of the project will be the redevelopment of the Brisbane Showgrounds’ Main Arena. The existing arena is planned to be upgraded to provide a 20,000-seat outdoor venue. The Queensland Government says the upgraded facility will support the growth of the precinct’s entertainment and events capability while providing a long-term legacy for the Ekka. The upgraded Main Arena is also intended to strengthen the Brisbane Showgrounds’ ability to host major events beyond the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Brisbane Showgrounds and Ekka
The Brisbane Showgrounds will remain the permanent home of the Royal Queensland Show, commonly known as the Ekka. The Queensland Government has stated that the transformation will provide upgraded facilities for Ekka visitors and exhibitors, including improvements to the Main Arena and accessibility across the site. The project is therefore being progressed alongside the continued role of the showgrounds as the home of the Ekka, rather than replacing the existing events function of the precinct.
Heritage Upgrades
The transformation will also include work to the heritage-listed John MacDonald and Ernest Baynes grandstands. Following the Ekka, the grandstands are planned to be restored and upgraded, with improved accessibility forming part of the works. Design work for the 20,000-seat Main Arena upgrade is also expected to commence as part of the transformation program.
Victoria Park and Brisbane 2032
The Brisbane Showgrounds form part of the wider Victoria Park precinct being developed for the Brisbane 2032 Games. The Queensland Government has described the integrated master plan for Victoria Park, the Brisbane Showgrounds and surrounding areas as a future hub for recreation, events, entertainment and lifestyle. The Brisbane Athletes Village will also be within walking distance of the planned Brisbane Stadium at Victoria Park, linking the two major components of the Brisbane 2032 precinct.
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Source: Information, Drawings and Images
All article information is sourced and available for review from referenced locations.
Location: Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills
Project: Brisbane Showgrounds Transformation
Purpose: Upgrade the Brisbane Showgrounds, Main Arena and facilities for the Ekka and major events, while accommodating the Brisbane 2032 Athletes Village
Legacy Use: Upgraded showgrounds and event facilities, with athletes’ accommodation transitioning to permanent housing after the Games
Victoria Park Precinct Draft Legacy Plan
Ekka’s future secured for 2032 and beyond
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