Our History

Stadiums Queensland (previously Major Sports Facilities Authority) was officially formed when an act of Parliament, called the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001, was passed on 1 December 2001. 
 

The organisation commenced operation on 21 December of that same year and immediately assumed ownership and responsibility of the Brisbane Cricket Ground (The Gabba).
 

On 30 June 2002, Stadiums Queensland assumed responsibility for the three former Brisbane City Council major venues, the QEII Sports Complex (now  the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre), Sleeman Sports Complex and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Shortly after, in 2003 Stadiums Queensland assumed ownership of the redeveloped Suncorp Stadium, Queensland’s largest sporting and entertainment facility.
 

In 2004 Dairy Farmers Stadium (renamed to 1300SMILES Stadium) in Townsville became Stadiums Queensland’s sixth major sporting and entertainment facility. 
 

On 17 February 2008 the $160 million Skilled Park (now Cbus Super Stadium) was officially opened by Premier Anna Bligh with Peoples Day attracting 22,000 fans.
 

On the second of January 2009 the $82million Queensland Tennis Centre was officially opened, before welcoming some of the worlds best tennis players through the Brisbane International tennis tournament.

The $144.2 million Metricon Stadium (now Heritage Bank Stadium) was officially opened on 22 May 2011 and hosted its first AFL fixture on 28 May 2011, becoming Stadiums Queensland's ninth major sporting and entertainment facility.

And more recently on 22 February 2020, Queensland Country Bank Stadium was officially opened to the public replacing the ageing 1300SMILES Stadium and becoming the new home of the mighty North Queensland Cowboys NRL team in Townsville. 
 

Today, Stadiums Queensland owns and operates more than $1.2 billion worth of sporting and entertainment infrastructure.