A Letter to the Queensland Cricket Community

At A Glance

• No Gabba Test in 2026-27
• Continued uncertainty on the Gabba’s future and being fit to host international cricket has other interstate venues ranked ahead of it
• Future Stadium needs for Brisbane should be addressed urgently

A little over 12 months ago, the Chair and I took the opportunity to write to you with a detailed update on Queensland Cricket’s approach to the proposed Gabba redevelopment and our options around displacement from the venue in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

In the ensuing period since that communication, much has changed in our response and preparations for the coming seasons through to 2032 and beyond.

The State Government’s decision to not progress with its commitment to rebuild the Gabba and downgrade its proposed Olympic role has resulted in direct and indirect changes to how we proceed with our business.

The most obvious impact will be that for the first time since 1976-77, a Test Match will not be held at the Gabba in 2026-27.

Major stadiums in other States are now considered more commercially attractive and fan friendly to host cricket compared to the Gabba.

It is deeply disappointing that the 2026-27 Gabba Test has become a casualty of the uncertainty around the infrastructure planning and development ahead of the 2032 Olympic preparations, specifically around the Gabba.

The lack of detail about timings, promised improvements, and actual investment in the Gabba is driving uncertainty and is likely to continue to affect our operations until it is addressed.

And while not being unduly alarmist, the potential outcome of this continuing uncertainty could have a significant impact on participation statewide and fan engagement across men's and women's cricket.

Obviously, such an impact would have a corresponding effect on our business and, importantly, our ability to deliver on our purpose of promoting and growing cricket to ensure all Queenslanders can play, participate, and enjoy the game.

While we acknowledge that there are other economic and social issues at play, at a very minimum we strongly urge Government to bring certainty to the development of a fit-for- purpose stadium for the long-term noting that the Government’s own assessment has identified that the life span of the Gabba is finite, supported by the Quirk review of Olympic infrastructure.

Queensland Cricket contends that making a definitive commitment also makes a commitment to utilise sport and major stadiums to stimulate economic growth.

We urge our leaders to be bold, innovative, and focussed on the long term.

Background

Cricket Australia will shortly announce its long-term international schedule for men’s (out to 2031) and women’s (out to 2026) home Tests, One Day Internationals and T20 Internationals, following a process where it sought input and commitments from governments and stakeholders around securing matches.

While the Gabba will host the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series this year, and the second Test of next year’s Ashes series, a Day/Night match, it will not host a Test in the following season, the first time since the 1976-77 season that this happened, with an unbroken run of 49 Tests by the time the 2026-27 season arrives.

Instead, Queensland Cricket is working with Cricket Australia to host white ball internationals at the Gabba in that season, while the four Test series against New Zealand will be played in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

The one-off, 150 Year commemorative Test will also be played at the MCG.

After 49 Tests in a row at the Gabba, there will undoubtedly be many disappointed cricket fans who will find themselves questioning the decision-making behind the Gabba’s omission from the Test schedule in 2026-27.

As has been outlined previously, State Governments were given the opportunity to bid for international cricket content over the next seven years (i.e. SA Government and SACA have secured a pre-Christmas Test for each season in that period), the WA Government and WACA have a three-year commitment to host the opening Test of the summer in Perth).

These scheduling decisions have been made by Cricket Australia to maximise investment into cricket. Queensland Cricket supports this approach as increased funding can be shared among all States and Territories to further grow the game.

We remain hopeful that Test cricket will return to the Gabba after the summer of 2026-27 despite the current lack of detail and uncertainty surrounding the upgrades to the Gabba.

We are confident that outside of the main stadiums, regional Queensland venues, such as Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, will continue to play an important role in hosting international men’s and women’s cricket in the future.

In the short term, we will work closely with Cricket Australia, the Department of Tourism and Sport, Economic Development Queensland, Stadiums Queensland and Brisbane City Council, including the Brisbane Economic Development Agency to ensure the Test Matches against India and England produce outstanding events at the Gabba.

We will continue to provide updates as and when necessary.

Kind regards,

Kirsten Pike(Chair of Queensland Cricket) & Terry Svenson (Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Cricket)