Two potential developers have been shortlisted to deliver the game-changing Gabba entertainment and housing precinct as drilling begins.
They are the Brisbane Entertainment Alliance Consortium which includes Capella Capital, Lendlease construction and development, AEG, and Legends Global; and Gather Brisbane Consortium which includes Plenary Group, Live Nation and OVG.
They were shortlisted from a global pool of eight bids, and will now be required to submit detailed design proposals later in 2026. The successful bid will be announced later this year, with construction starting in the first half of 2027.
The project, to be built in partnership with the private sector, will include a 17,000-seat indoor arena for world-class concerts, sporting and major entertainment events.
It will also deliver apartments and mixed used spaces, connecting with public transport to create a vibrant hub designed to revitalise Woolloongabba.
The adjacent housing precinct will be built post-2032 after the Gabba stadium has been demolished.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the geotechnical drill which began on Wednesday, is designed to test ground conditions on the site to support foundation designs for the arena.
Site preparation and enabling works will also commence mid-2026, Mr Bleijie said.
“The milestone also marks the official transition of the Cross River Rail site into the Gabba arena project, with this critical transport link becoming a catalyst for Woolloongabba as one of Brisbane’s most significant mixed-use urban renewal areas,” he said
UDIA Chief Executive Officer Kirsty Chessher-Brown said the precinct offered an opportunity to boost housing supply, extend the city heart and deliver a world-class mixed use precinct.
“The Queensland property industry has a strong track record of delivering world class urban renewal precincts and the Gabba offers an opportunity to re-affirm Brisbane’s reputation as a vibrant city creating exciting new places to live work and play,” Ms Chessher-Brown said.
“As with all major projects, speed and certainty are critically important to delivering the investment certainty the industry needs to back renewal.”
To watch vision of the new development, click here.
