Brisbane has re-secured its right to hold the first summer cricket test off the back of the infrastructure plan for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Premier David Crisafulli said test cricket would return to the Gabba from 2027-28.
The Gabba would host its first ever day-night Ashes test against England from December 4-8 this year. However, it would miss out on hosting a test during the 2026-27 summer for the first time in 50 years.
Mr Crisafulli said the 2032 Delivery Plan now provided the certainty Cricket Australia needed to keep the Gabba on the international test series calendar from 2027-28 to 2031-32 (when cricket will move to the new Victoria Park stadium).
He said Cricket Australia had agreed to return the first summer test to Queensland in 2032-33 after the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Cricket is embedded in Queensland’s DNA, and the decision to build a world-class stadium at Victoria Park ensures it has a future in this State,” he said.
“Test cricket belongs in Queensland, and this decision means fans won’t miss out on seeing some of the best cricket teams play test matches in Brisbane right through to the summer before Brisbane 2032 where we regain our title as host of the first test of the summer.”
Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said the Gabba may be ageing but it had a few more good years left.
“The Gabba has done a mighty job for the past 130-years and holds a special place in the hearts of Queenslanders so it’s fitting we give her a farewell at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Mr Mander said.
Cricket Australia Chair Mike Baird said the organisation was delighted that cricket fans in Queensland would get the stadium they deserved.
“Importantly, cricket now has the certainty needed to ensure Brisbane hosts the very best possible international and domestic matches and retains a prominent place on the test match schedule,” he said.
“International cricket brings significant economic benefits for the people of Queensland and those benefits will be greatly enhanced by the construction of a world class 63,000 seat stadium in the heart of Brisbane.”
Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson said the stadium decision gave Queensland cricket certainty after “many years without clarity”.
