OLYMPICS 2032: New arena to be built on Gold Coast as Games venues revealed

The Gold Coast has emerged as one of the big winners of the State Government’s Olympics infrastructure review.

The Premier has confirmed the Gold Coast will get a new indoor arena under grand plans unveiled for the 2032 Games today.

Along with the arena, slated for Southport’s Carey Park, a new athletes village will also be built at Royal Pines Resort in Benowa with the ability to house 2600 sporting stars.

It’s been confirmed the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre will also undergo a major transformation.

In total, the city will host at least 10 sporting events, with hockey the latest to be added to our hosting duties after winning its battle to be held on the Gold Coast.

The sport was slated for Brisbane’s Ballymore rugby stadium but will now be played at the Gold Coast Hockey Centre in Labrador, which will undergo an upgrade.

Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles has welcomed the announcement, describing it as a “groundbreaking moment for hockey in Australia”.

“By repurposing the Gold Coast Hockey Centre, we now have a clear path to bring international hockey back to Queensland before 2032 and beyond,” he said.

“Today’s decision ensures the Olympics delivers a lasting impact on our sport and it will allow us to provide meaningful pathway development opportunities for players, fans, and future Olympians in the decade ahead”.

Despite pledging not to build a new stadium, Premier David Crisafulli has confirmed a new 63,000 seat stadium in Brisbane’s Victoria Park will be the centerpiece of the Games.

A new national aquatic centre at Spring Hill will also transform the Centenary Pool site, with the Premier declaring it will be the “best aquatic centre in the globe”.

The Premier said the 2032 Delivery Plan had been set through a clear process, which would now be implemented to deliver a Games “Queenslanders would be proud of”.

“To host the Olympic and Paralympic Games is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and we’ll make it count for Queensland with a lasting legacy,” Premier Crisafulli said.

“Transport, infrastructure, tourism and grassroots sport will all be part of the lasting legacy for a Games we can all be proud of.

“We now have the gameplan for 2032 and beyond, and it’s time to put it into action.”

Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee President Andrew Liveris echoed the Premier’s sentiments, saying the new plan would see Queenslanders get the best of the venues, and showcase the best of Queensland to the world.

“The Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have been consulted and are aligned that this is the right plan and it’s time to get moving,” Mr Liveris said.

“We will move swiftly to make operational assessments and to align our venue master plan and sports program, ready for endorsement from the IOC, International Paralympic Committee and International Sport Federations.

“We have been handed a gift to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032 – an event that will attract billions of viewers, millions of visitors, deliver generational economic and social benefits, and secure legacies for grassroots communities through to elite athletes.

“The time for talking has passed. Let’s put the plan into place.”