Brisbane Olympics 2032: Aquatics, soccer, call for new venues at Victoria Park and Perry Park

Some of Australian sport’s heavy hitters have come out swinging with wish-lists for new centrepiece stadiums at Brisbane’s 2032 Olympics.

Swimming Australia, backed by the sport’s global governing body and the Australian Olympic Committee, want a national aquatics centre built at Brisbane’s Victoria Park.

Football Australia are calling for a permanent stadium, preferably at Perry Park, that could seat up to 30,000 spectators during the Olympics.

And Hockey Australia have identified the Gold Coast as the sport’s optimal venue for the Games - while also keeping drop-in pitches at an upgraded Ballymore in Brisbane as an option.

The peak sporting bodies have detailed their desires in submissions to the Queensland government’s 100-day infrastructure review for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

Swimming Australia (SA) have high-powered backing for their proposal: building a national aquatics centre at Victoria Park.

Supported by the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia and World Aquatics, Diving Australia, Water Polo Australia and Artistic Swimming Australia have joined forces in pushing the preferred option.

The submission wants the existing Centenary Pool upgraded and complemented by new main and secondary stadiums featuring two large indoor pools that would be the national base for the four peak aquatic sports.

SA chief executive officer Rob Woodhouse said the national aquatics centre would hold a post-Games legacy of being a community hub offering year-round grassroot access, while remaining capable of hosting major events such as world championships for the various aquatic sports.

“The fact that the Games are on gives us this opportunity for a generational play, if you like, to host the biggest events in the world, the Paralympics and the Olympics,” Woodhouse told AAP on Thursday.

“But also to build something which has got fantastic use for our community for decades to come ... it would become a real community asset.”

Under the proposal, the main competition pool for the ‘32 Games would seat more than 19,000 spectators - about 2000 more than the La Defense Arena used at last year’s Paris Olympics.

The entire aquatics centre could boast 25,800 seating capacity during the Games, with permanent capacity around 8000.

Football Australia (FA) and Football Queensland detailed its submission for a permanent 17,000-20,000 seat venue, preferably at Perry Park.

The stadium would have the potential for an extra 13,000 temporary seats during the Olympics.

“A purpose-built rectangular stadium is critical to addressing the needs of the sport in Queensland,” FA chief executive James Johnson said in a statement.

“This venue will not only elevate the fan experience but also position Brisbane to host future international tournaments, strengthening Queensland’s global reputation as a leader in major events.”

The submission is backed by international and domestic stakeholders including the Asian Football Confederation, Australian Professional Leagues and Brisbane Roar.

And Hockey Australia and Hockey Queensland, in a joint submission to the government, pinpoint the Gold Coast Hockey Centre as the optimal Olympic venue for the sport.

The centre, used during the 2018 Commonwealth Games, would need “minimal upgrades” including an additional pitch and improved broadcasting facilities.

“These upgrades would not only ensure a world-class Olympic competition but also unlock opportunities for pre-Games activations such as the FIH World Cup,” the submission stated.

The deadline for the government’s 100-day review closed on January 10 with submissions now being considered.