Other stadiums 'well ahead' of Gabba: Cricket Australia

The Gabba ground in Brisbane has lost its traditional first Test of the summer to Perth. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

Other capital cities have stadiums "well ahead" of Brisbane, Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley says, as the future of the Gabba remains in limbo.

The Gabba, which will reach the end of its "useful life" by 2030, has lost its traditional first Test of the summer to Perth. 

A new - albeit controversial - stadium is planned in Hobart as Tasmania prepares to enter the AFL in 2028, and CA could be tempted to bump Brisbane off the Test schedule altogether if a state-of-the-art venue is built in the Apple Isle's capital.

India and Pakistan fans drum up excitement for the 2024-25 summer of cricket.

Hockley insists Queensland sports fans deserve a long-term solution, after the state's government rejected a proposal to rebuild the Gabba, as well as an alternative plan for a new stadium to host the 2032 Olympics.

"We've talked about the Perth Test; we've seen how having a city-centre, state-of-the-art stadium can be the catalyst for sport, but (also) more major events," Hockley said at the MCG on Wednesday.

"The reality is the other major metros, now Tasmania with the prospect of a new stadium there, are well ahead in terms of the fan experience, the provision for players, just the ease of operation

"We want to make sure, as best we can, that there's a really fantastic solution for the long term for Queenslanders."

Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley
Brisbane is lagging behind in the stadium stakes, Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley says.

Hockley had a long-term role in planning the 2012 London Olympics

"The Gabba is an iconic ground - there's not a bad seat in the house," he said.

"We want to be a really constructive partner with the Queensland government; having worked on the London Olympics, you don't get many opportunities for real transformational change and a catalyst to invest."

Australia will host India at the Gabba for the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series from December 14-18.

The most-recent Test at the Brisbane stadium was the weakened West Indies' memorable upset of Australia in January. 

CA on Wednesday announced the schedule for the 2024-25 season, with Australia's women's team to play a four-day Test at the MCG for the first time since 1949.

Officials have not put a crowd target on the Ashes Test, although four years of marketing and a Katy Perry appearance prompted 86,174 fans to attend the 2020 women's Twenty20 World Cup final at the ground.

"We've seen across all the sports that the very best female players deserve to play on the biggest stage - and there's no bigger stage than (the MCG)," Hockley said.

"The Australian women's cricket team is one of the most successful sporting teams of all time in any sport.

"We anticipate a fantastic four days and we just encourage everyone to come down."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store