Brisbane to Get New 17,000-Capacity Arena in Major Live Music Boost
A new 17,000-capacity arena is set to boost Brisbane’s position on the national touring circuit and attract more major live music events to Queensland.
Brisbane is set to welcome a new 17,000-capacity arena, with Live Nation, Oak View Group (OVG) and Plenary teaming up to attract more major international and local tours to Queensland.
The project will be delivered by the Gather Brisbane consortium in Woolloongabba, and is expected to strengthen Brisbane's position on the national touring circuit, providing the infrastructure needed to attract major artists and events that might otherwise prioritise Sydney and Melbourne.
Michael Coppel, Chairman of Live Nation Australia and New Zealand, said: “Brisbane has the audience and the ambition to welcome more of the world’s biggest tours, but it needs the venues to match. This arena will help bring more shows to Queensland, strengthen Australia’s appeal as a touring destination and give artists and fans an arena they can be proud of for decades to come."
Located minutes from Brisbane's CBD, the arena will connect directly to Woolloongabba's Cross River Rail station, providing public transport access for concertgoers. It will also feature premium and VIP facilities and have the flexibility to host major sporting events, including those associated with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
According to Live Nation, the venue is projected to attract more than 1.2 million visitors annually, support over 1,500 ongoing jobs and contribute almost $844 million each year to Brisbane's visitor economy, benefiting hospitality, retail and the creative industries.
“We are incredibly excited to be part of bringing this landmark venue to life for Brisbane and its surrounding community," Oak View Group CEO, Chris Granger, said. "Working alongside our Gather Brisbane partners, we look forward to combining our collective expertise to create an exceptional destination that attracts the biggest events and becomes a source of pride for Brisbane for generations to come.”
Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie described the development as a significant investment in the city's future: "The stage is now set for something special at Woolloongabba. This will be transformational for the area and generational for millions of people who’ll come to live, visit and enjoy this new precinct."
Reporting from inside the Australian music business since '94.
The announcement has also been welcomed by local artists, including Brisbane-born duo The Veronicas, who highlighted the opportunities the new venue could create for Queensland's music community.
“Having played to home crowds in Brisbane throughout our careers, we know how much live music means to this city. This arena will give the next generation of Queensland artists a bigger stage to aspire to and give local fans more chances to see the artists they love.”
The arena is being designed by Blueprint Studio, Live Nation's in-house design and development group, alongside Cox Architecture and Danish architecture firm 3XN. A construction timeline and opening date are yet to be announced.
