Looks like it'll go ahead
65k max. cosmetic mid range upgrades and using existing structure to reconfigure. Commissioner Peter Beattie also behind it. All lines up with what Redbear said.
Peter Beattie: Our Games legacy can be 65,000 seats at Suncorp Stadium
The man behind the last major revamp of Suncorp Stadium says the Crisafulli government’s commitment to expanding the venue must include an increase in capacity to 65,000 seats. HERE’S WHY
Peter Beattie
3 min read
October 7, 2025 - 12:00AM
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The then-premier Peter Beattie at the redeveloped new Suncorp Stadium in 2003. Picture: Steve Pohlner
After wins by both the NRL men’s and women’s Broncos teams and the Lions, Queensland is now the undisputed sporting capital of Australia. The challenge now is how to maintain this sporting dominance and grow the Queensland sporting economy. Make no mistake, sport is a job creator and big business.
The Crisafulli government
has sensibly confirmed it is planning an upgrade of the Suncorp Stadium as part of the Olympics infrastructure. Since my government built the current Suncorp Stadium, let me humbly suggest how the best result can be achieved.
The first question to be determined is size. Expanding Suncorp Stadium to a seating capacity of 65,000 would guarantee’s Queensland’s future as a globally competitive sporting and entertainment centre and maintain the stadium’s reputation as the best rectangle stadium in Australia and one of the best in the world. The good news is that this can be achieved without a total knockdown and rebuild of the existing stadium.
The second question is what needs to be upgraded. To increase seating capacity to 65,000, additional seats would need to be added at both ends, new tiers would need to be added, the concourses reconfigured and upgrades to the roof. Why is 65,000 seats the perfect number? The answer is simple, 65,000 is the maximum number of seats that Suncorp can hold within its existing footprint while maintaining its existing sightlines.
The obvious question is what is happening around the world in stadium rebuilds? Let’s start with the UK where stadium redevelopments and builds are happening. Clubs in the English Premier League are settling on seating capacities between 60,000 and 62,000 seats. For example, Liverpool’s Anfield expansion is 61,000, Manchester City’s Etihad expansion is 62,000, Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium is 60,000 and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is 62,000.
The picture in the US is similar where new or redeveloped NFL stadiums are being built between 60,000 and 70,000. In other words, this is the perfect size for a modern stadium to maximise return on investment for taxpayers and fan enjoyment. Interestingly, Suncorp already delivers a return on investment to taxpayers equal to the MCG.
Stadium size is not just about numbers; it is about finding the best operating size. For example, the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas has a seating capacity for 65,000 including premium seating, the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis has a 66,000-seat capacity, the Sofi Stadium in Los Angelas can cater for 70,000 fans, the Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco 68,500, Buffalo’s new Highmark Stadium 62,000, Tennessee’s new Nissan Stadium 60,000 and the recently announced Washington Commanders new stadium 65,000.
By upgrading to 65,00 seats, Suncorp would be competing on a global basis, not just catching up for international artists and sporting events. Maybe next time Taylor Swift will come to Brisbane after a seat upgrade at Suncorp.
A 65,000-seat Suncorp stadium would not just put Brisbane on the world map for major international events; it would also present a genuine threat to the Sydney Grand Final dominance. It would force the NSW Government to address the shortcomings at Accor or risk losing the game’s showpiece. It is not hard to imagine a sell out Bronco’s game any weekend with Caxton St buzzing with activity potentially engaging 15,000 to 20,000 more people over the 65,000-ground capacity across the wider Caxton St precinct. That is what a real Olympic legacy venue looks like.
My next suggest is controversial but would give Suncorp stadium event dominance as Australia’s only rectangular weather-protected stadium. By putting a roof on Suncorp, similar to BC Place in Vancouver, Canada or the Deutsche Bank Park in Germany’s Frankfurt, it would unlock year-round concerts, sports, events and conferences.
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. 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.
As an NRL Commissioner, I will no doubt be accused of being biased towards the NRL. For that, I happily plead guilty. Nevertheless, I just want to see Queensland continue to be the home of rugby league and the best place in Australia to watch the NRL’s State of Origin, the Magic Round, internationals, club finals and potentially a grand final.
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.
Peter Beattie is an NRL Commissioner and a former Queensland premier
