Rugby league legend Johnathan Thurston has backed calls for an expanded Suncorp Stadium, saying the venue should seat 70,000.
Hayden Johnson
,
Taylah Fellows
,
Iwan Jones
and
Mikaela Mulveney
4 min read
October 7, 2025 - 3:40PM
Johnathan Thurston wants Suncorp Stadium to hold 70,000. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Johnathan Thurston wants Suncorp Stadium to hold 70,000. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Beattie: Why 65k the perfect number
Editor’s view: More than just sport
Four-time Dally M Medallist Johnathan Thurston has backed calls for an expanded Suncorp Stadium, saying the venue should seat 70,000.
Thurston famously declared “North Queensland deserves a new stadium” after the Cowboys’ famous 2015 premiership victory.
The $318m, 25,000-seat Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville opened in 2020.
Now the rugby league legend has thrown his support behind a bigger Brisbane venue.
“I was at the ground for their (Broncos) last home final ... the atmosphere was one of the best I’ve been a part of, so hopefully the Premier is listening, and hopefully the people of Queensland will support more seats,” Thurston said.
Thurston said he would like to see an extra 20,000 seats at The Cauldron.
“To attract world-class events, it would be good to get another 20,000 there, to become 70,000,” he said.
Johnathan Thurston dominated the Origin arena at Suncorp Stadium.
Johnathan Thurston dominated the Origin arena at Suncorp Stadium.
“Queensland is growing, people are moving up here because we are the greatest state in the nation and they can see why they’re moving here.
“To attract world class events, we need to make sure that we got world-class stadiums.”
Broncos captain Adam Reynolds replicated Thurston’s famous moment when he used his grand final speech in Sydney to demand Suncorp Stadium be expanded.
“To the Premier, build a bigger stadium because we sold that one (Suncorp Stadium) out and we’ll sell it out again,” Reynolds said.
David Crisafulli responded just 17 hours later, revealing Suncorp Stadium’s 52,500-seat capacity would be lifted and the venue’s standard improved to support an expected boom in support for the Brisbane Broncos and ensure the state shines in 2032.
Suncorp Stadium sold out in a matter of minutes for the NRL Preliminary Final match against the Penrith Panthers. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Suncorp Stadium sold out in a matter of minutes for the NRL Preliminary Final match against the Penrith Panthers. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
At a media conference on Tuesday, Mr Crisafulli said the government had been working on a stadium upgrade plan for the past few months, focusing on capacity, accessibility and quality.
But he wouldn’t put an “arbitrary” figure on how many new seats might be created.
“I was asked about whether or not I think there is the opportunity to improve the capacity there and the answer is yes, the things that I’ve been working on in recent months tells me that there are, there’s the opportunity to get some extra seating, including pretty good quality stuff as well,” he said.
Mr Crisafulli said the government would not build a new rectangular stadium but instead upgrade the “spiritual home of rugby league”. And he said would not discuss the potential costings.
“That work’s happening at the moment and you guys (The Courier-Mail) have led a good campaign on that,” the Premier said.
“This was built for the 2003 World Cup in this phase and the truth is, it really hasn’t had a great deal of love for over 20 years.
“We have to bring it into the 21st century and we have to improve its standard and its capacity.”
Mr Crisafulli said the work would happen before the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where it would take a starring role alongside other venues.
But he would not say whether the upgrades would be included in the $7.1bn funding envelope for Games venues.
“It’d be a great legacy as part of the Games, but it’s more … the Olympic and Paralympics is a very small part of it,” he said.
“We haven’t been in government a long time but it’s something I’ve wanted to do.”
Mr Crisafulli said his government had a “real” vision to be the events capital of the nation.
“I see an upgrade to Suncorp as just been a part of that mix for events, for the Origin, for the Broncos, for the Roar for everyone who wants to use it for concert promoters, but it’ll be done in a way that is calm and measured and methodical, but in terms of a finish line, it’s got to be done by 2032 because it’s a real opportunity for us to show up on the world stage.”
Adam Reynolds called on the Premier to act during his victory speech at Sunday’s NRL grand final. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Adam Reynolds called on the Premier to act during his victory speech at Sunday’s NRL grand final. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Australian Rugby League Commissioner Peter Beattie, who as Queensland Premier oversaw the 2003 Suncorp Stadium revamp, said the venue’s capacity needed to reach 65,000 seats.
“It would also present a genuine threat to the Sydney grand final dominance,” he said.
“It would force the NSW Government to address the shortcomings at Accor or risk losing the game’s showpiece.”
Mr Beattie said the upgrade could be done by adding new tiers, reconfiguring concourses and upgrading the roof to “guarantee Queensland’s future as a globally-competitive sporting and entertainment centre”.
He said adding a roof would cement Suncorp Stadium’s dominance as Australia’s only rectangle weather protected stadium.
Australian Rugby League Commissioner Peter Beattie said the stadium’s capacity should be 65,000. Picture: David Clark
Australian Rugby League Commissioner Peter Beattie said the stadium’s capacity should be 65,000. Picture: David Clark
“A roofed 65,000-seat stadium would present Brisbane to the world as a forward-thinking city attracting events which Sydney and Melbourne could not easily match,” Mr Beattie said.
“It would also ensure Queensland maintains its place as Australia’s rugby league capital, and the best place in Australia to watch rugby union internationals and soccer.
“The Olympics in 2032 need to leave real legacies which survive the test of time. If done properly, an upgraded Suncorp Stadium affords Queensland that opportunity.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner backed a stadium upgrade, telling ABC Radio on Tuesday there was a definite need.
“It’s a great stadium, and you want to keep the vibe of Suncorp alive. It’s not just about sports either. It’s about concerts and a whole range of other events, so there’s a lot of different events that can benefit from this.”
