The unveiling of the initial design concepts for Brisbane’s upcoming 63,000-seat stadium at Victoria Park has been announced by the Australian architectural teams COX and Hassell.

Queensland’s Deputy Premier, Jarrod Bleijie, shared on the Today show that these firms emerged victorious after a rigorous three-month selection process, and are set to collaborate with Japan’s Azusa Sekkei to bring the stadium design to life.

Dubbed “Brisbane Stadium,” this facility will reflect a quintessential Queensland style and serve as the new home for the Brisbane Lions and cricket matches following the 2032 Olympics, as the renowned Gabba reaches the end of its operational lifespan.

Bleijie emphasized the need for the project, stating, “We require a larger venue, specifically a 63,000-seat stadium, to accommodate our AFL and cricket enthusiasts.”

“Post-2032, the Lions and cricket matches, currently hosted at the Gabba, will transition to the new stadium,” he added.

Bleijie said the government’s 100-day review had ensured the project would be delivered on time.

“The drilling is already happening.

“All the soil testing was completed at the end of last year.

“Now we get on with the job.”

He said construction would start early next year.

“We’re very confident with the timeline.

“I know Queenslanders will be very proud of having not only a stadium to fit cricket and AFL for the Lions, but also concerts,” he said.

“We are losing concerts and other sporting events, and other entertainment events to other states in Australia because we don’t have the facilities in Queensland.”

COX and Hassell will work with global design consultancy Arup, which was announced last year as the firm that will deliver the Victoria Park master plan, and GIICA, the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority.

COX and Hassell were the team that designed Perth’s Optus Stadium, as well as the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval and the MCG.

Azusa Sekkei has delivered 120 stadiums and arenas, including the Japan National Stadium for Tokyo 2020.

COX Architecture Director and Chair Richard Coulson said this morning the firm was “humbled by the appointment”.

He said the stadium would be designed to reflect its setting in the Victoria Park green space and Queensland more broadly.

Hassell Managing Principal Lucy O’Driscoll said it was an architect’s dream to work on a project that would “put Brisbane on the world map”.

“We want this stadium to be something that all Queenslanders and Australians are proud of,” she said.

The federal government has agreed to fund just under 50 per cent of funding for Olympic infrastructure.