Early preparatory works have commenced at Victoria Park for Brisbane’s new Olympic stadium, the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority confirmed on 1 June 2026.
The authority has taken possession of the site to begin a series of enabling activities that will pave the way for full construction of the venue, which is set to serve as the centrepiece of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as athletics events, during the Games.
Designed to seat 63,000 spectators, the stadium will also have the capacity to accommodate up to 70,000 attendees for concerts and major events.
Following the conclusion of the Games, the venue is expected to become Brisbane’s primary destination for elite sports and large-scale entertainment.
The authority described the commencement of early works as a significant milestone in the delivery of key sporting infrastructure for Brisbane.
Officials stated that the project remains on schedule, with design work continuing to progress and the Early Contractor Involvement process well underway.
The contract for the early works phase is expected to be awarded in the coming months, with major earthworks scheduled to begin between late 2026 and early 2027.
A recent environmental referral under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act was assessed as not a controlled action in May, meaning the project does not currently require further Commonwealth environmental approvals for the precinct.
The current initial site works are focused on preparation and enabling tasks.
Activities include ongoing site investigations, partial demolition of existing infrastructure, and the establishment of construction zones on the Herston side of the park.
As these works progress, a number of changes to traffic and public access in and around Victoria Park have come into effect.
Several sections of the park on the Herston side have been closed and fenced off to create designated construction areas.
Access points from both the Herston and Kelvin Grove busway stations have also been closed to the public.
Gilchrist Avenue is now closed to general vehicle traffic, and the North Brisbane Bikeway has been redirected along a minor alternative route.
Visitors to the area can expect temporary traffic management measures and increased signage to guide safe movement around the active construction zone.
Despite the scope of these access changes, the authority confirmed that a number of facilities and green spaces will remain open to the public throughout this phase.
The Pump Track, York’s Hollow, the North Brisbane Bikeway, and some areas of open parkland will continue to be accessible during the works.
The Victoria Park precinct was selected as the preferred location for Brisbane’s Olympic stadium following years of planning and community consultation.
Its proximity to the city centre and existing transport infrastructure has made it a central element of the broader strategy to deliver a connected and legacy-focused Games for Queensland.
