Brisbane Showgrounds to Undergo Olympic Upgrades Without Disrupting Ekka

The Queensland government has assured the public that the beloved Ekka will continue uninterrupted through to 2032, despite major upgrades planned for the Brisbane Showgrounds starting next week.

In preparation for the Olympic Games, the site will see the construction of a new athletes’ village and a 20,000-seat arena. Two existing stands at the venue will also be upgraded ahead of the international event. While the specific Olympic events to be held at the showgrounds remain unconfirmed, the transformation is set to reshape the precinct.

Premier David Crisafulli told reporters on Monday that the public can expect “new life breathed into a couple of magnificent precincts” at the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland Showgrounds. He confirmed that the upcoming works mark the first Olympic infrastructure project to break ground.

Construction on Machinery Hill, the future site of the arena, will begin after the 2026 Ekka. RNA CEO Brendan Christou said the 2027 show will feature a temporary stand, as the arena will take more than a year to complete.

While the timeline for the athletes’ village remains unclear, the Premier confirmed it will be ready in time for the 2032 Games.