The Sunshine Coast is in line to host some of the main football matches during the 2032 Games.
The state government revealed that knockout games will be contested at an upgraded Sunshine Coast Stadium.
The venue will have a new eastern grandstand and a rebuilt western grandstand, which will boost seating capacity from just over 1000 to 10,000.
It was announced as an Olympic stadium in 2021 and was earmarked for preliminary matches.
But now it’s been confirmed that elimination games will also be contested there, which is news that should be welcomed by thousands of football fans in the region.
“The venue is set to host football group stage and quarter-final matches during the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, showcasing the Sunshine Coast to a global audience while leaving behind infrastructure local communities will enjoy for generations,” a government statement revealed.
It remains unclear whether the knockout matches will be part of the men’s or women’s Olympic competitions, the Paralympic competitions, or both. Sunshine Coast News has sought clarification.
Spain is the reigning men’s champion, while the United States is the current women’s champion. Australia failed to qualify for the men’s competition in 2024 while the women were eliminated in the group stage.
The Australian teams will automatically qualify for 2032 as hosts.
The men’s competition is for under-23s while the women’s is open age, paving the way for the popular Matildas to compete.
Design work for the stadium upgrade is progressing after the appointment of leading Queensland firm Architectus as principal architect, with early site works to start before the end of the year, ahead of major construction starting next year.
The stadium, which is in Bokarina, will feature increased grandstand capacity, enhanced community and event spaces, improved player amenities and greater accessibility.
The government statement said that the improvements “will cement Sunshine Coast Stadium as the region’s premier sporting and entertainment venue, supporting grassroots participation, elite training, major sporting fixtures and community events well beyond 2032″.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said it would be a “world-class venue”.
The Sunshine Coast is expected to host several sports during the 2032 Games.
Mountain biking is set to be held at the Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre at Parklands, and there is the potential for marathon, road cycling and water sports events to be based at Alexandra Headland.
Basketball preliminaries could also be held in the region, although it’s unclear where. Plans for a new indoor sports centre at Kawana were abandoned, but there is a proposal for an arena at Maroochydore.
There will also be an athletes’ village at Maroochydore.
