Known more familiarly as “The Gabba,” this ground has traditionally represented something of a fortress for Australian cricket, particularly when it comes to Test matches. This Brisbane venue has, for years, epitomized an almost unbeatable home record, with many visiting teams having battened down the hatches in search of a win. It has been reported recently, however, that this historic ground could soon give way to a new, multipurpose facility, possibly signaling the end of an era.
One of the most vocal has been one of Australia’s cricketing legends, Allan Border. In recent times, he has been advocating for the demolition of the Gabba, saying that there should be a world-class stadium in an alternative location. The former Australian captain now seeks the building of a new ground that would not only be among the top cricket grounds, but it should act as a central venue for many sports and events during the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. His view is based on the belief that a fresh start could bring long-term benefits, particularly for Brisbane’s Olympic future.
Reports in the Courier Mail indicate that Cricket Australia is on the verge of releasing a seven-year Test schedule, featuring the locking in of fixtures for traditional venues such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide through to the 2030-31 season. It appears the Gabba is not included in this lineup, which signals a shifting landscape for Australian cricket.
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Allan Border, whose statue was unveiled at the Gabba in 2021, said he had mixed emotions about the potential changes. He conceded feeling a bit sad to potentially lose such an iconic venue, but thought opening up a new stadium could be quite good for he city, especially if it would have centre stage at the 2032 Olympics.
“It’s sad, but they’ve got to have some certainty, probably over the next four years, if they can use the Gabba or not,” Allan Border said. “They haven’t got any certainty about the Gabba, so we’re off the roster. But I’ll have a crack and say knock the Gabba down for urban renewal, and because it’s on the city fringe, you could probably pay for the Olympics just by selling the property.”
This is worrying; the unknown fate of Gabba has dug its tentacles into other sporting disciplines, including AFL. According to Allan Border, this state of affairs needs immediate attention from the authorities in charge of the 2032 Games to clinch a clear decision relating to the future of the Gabba.
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In 2024, the Gabba has managed to host 66 men’s Test matches for Australia with an enviable record of 42 wins, 13 draws, 1 tie, and only 10 losses. But its rich history notwithstanding, the future of the Gabba now remains uncertain as debates over its replacement go on.
