When Was The Gabba Founded?
The Queensland Cricket Association received land in 1895 for a new pitch at Woolloongabba. The area had already changed from a wetland to a neighborhood in Brisbane. The new facility opened at the end of 1986 and the first match took place on December 19, 1985, between two teams of journalists and parliamentarians.
When did The Gabba take on its current form?
The stadium had an oval-shaped pitch for cricket. Early on, there was a covered, small main stand. In the early days, there was a small covered main stand. The stadium has been extended and upgraded over the years.
The Brisbane Bears Australian Football team moved to the stadium in 1993. As a result, the greyhound track had to be removed. Redevelopment began and was done in phases. In 2005, the final phase of upgrading was completed. This involved removing the building from the southeast corner of the stadium. It was then replaced with the stands that were missing. The oval ring around the auditorium closed and the venue took on its current form.
What are the events at Gabba?
The Gabba’s most famous use is as a stadium for cricket. The stadium hosts cricket matches from October to March (the “summer” months in the Southern Hemisphere). Every November, the venue hosts a test match that opens the season. The stadium was the site of high-profile matches between Australia and England in The Ashes Series, as well as interstate matches to play for the Sheffield Shield. The venue has been one of the venues for the Cricket World Cup in 1992 and 2015.
Twenty20 cricket is also played at the stadium. Brisbane Heat, which is a member of the premier Big Bash League in Australia, plays their matches here. The Gabba will host a portion of the Twenty20 World Cup in 2022.
In winter, Australian football matches are played at the stadium, as it is a popular sport in Australia. The Brisbane Bears AFL team moved into the stadium in 1993. In 1996, the Brisbane Lions, who still play at the Gabba, were formed by a merger between the Fitzroy Lions of Melbourne and the Brisbane Bears. Between 2001 and 2003, the team won three championships (or ‘premiers.’) The Footy Talk AFL Grand Final was played in the stadium in 2020.
It has also been the site of important football matches. In the past, the Australian national football team played at the stadium. During the Sydney Olympics in 2000, it was also one of the venues for the men’s Olympic football tournament. The Gabba is also home to international rugby league and rugby union matches.
The stadium has also hosted horse and greyhound racing, and other events. The arena hosts concerts as well as other events.
What are the Gabba’s Characteristics?
The oval playing field measures 166 by 148 meters. A compact ring surrounds the field on all four sides. The stands are all the same height but are divided internally into two or more tiers. The white membrane roof covers the top tier. Outside, four floodlight masts are visible. Additional spotlights have been placed beneath the roof.
The stands of the arena can accommodate 42,000 spectators. The auditorium is fitted with folding seats that form a colorful mosaic. This gives the impression of a full stadium even when some stands are empty. Two LED screens were placed. The stadium also has food and beverage outlets and boxes.
The stadium is situated in Woolloongabba, a suburb of Brisbane. The name “Gabba” is derived from the area. It is much more commonly used than Brisbane Cricket Ground.
The future of the Gabba
The 2032 Olympic Games will be held in Brisbane. There are plans to completely redevelop the Gabba. It is estimated that the new venue will have a seating capacity of about 50,000 people and it will serve as the main arena of the Games. This includes the athletics events, and the opening and closing ceremonies. The new Gabba will cost approximately $1 billion.
