Queensland is preparing to transplant the iconic cricket wicket from the Gabba to the new Brisbane Stadium as part of a long-term plan linked to the 2032 Olympic Games. After more than a year of planning, a full-sized wicket tray replicating the existing Gabba pitch will be installed beside the current wicket next week, weather permitting. This initiative aims to preserve the unique playing characteristics of the Gabba surface and introduce them to the new venue.

The project, spearheaded by Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, involves creating transportable wickets with the same clay base, soil composition, and turf as the original Gabba pitches. Once fully developed and tested, the wicket will be relocated across Brisbane to the Victoria Park Stadium, which will serve as the city’s primary cricket ground following the Olympics.

Crisafulli emphasized the importance of beginning the process now, noting that Test cricket wickets typically require three years of careful growth before reaching optimal quality. Without this early start, Queensland risks losing the opportunity to host Test matches at the new stadium for several seasons post-2032. “International cricket has always been synonymous with Queensland summer but we risk losing that for nearly half a decade unless we act now,” he said.

The plan has garnered support from cricketing veterans such as Allan Border and Ian Healy. It seeks to ensure the continuity of Queensland’s cricketing tradition, maintaining the Gabba’s reputation while transitioning to a modern facility. The new infrastructure is expected to allow the Brisbane Stadium to host its first Test match during the 2032-33 season, shortly after the Olympic and Paralympic Games conclude.

Minister for Sport and Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander highlighted the strategy’s long-term benefits, noting that installing the wicket infrastructure at the Gabba now will permit extensive testing and refinement over several years. This phased approach aims to ensure the pitch delivers consistent playing conditions once moved to the new venue. “We are also determined to ensure Queensland is the home of sport in Australia and cricket plays a big part in that,” Mander added.

The rollout timeline for the project is as follows: the full wicket tray is to be installed alongside the existing pitch next week; it will be trialed in practice sessions, intra-squad matches, and select low-profile domestic games during the 2027-28 summer; it will then be put to the test in Sheffield Shield first-class matches during 2028-29. The pitch is scheduled for transfer to Brisbane Stadium after the 2032 Games, with the goal of hosting the inaugural Test match at the new ground in the 2032-33 season.

While the logistics of moving the wicket through Brisbane remain under consideration, options include transport by truck with Chinook helicopters reported as a possibility. This unprecedented effort marks a significant chapter in Queensland’s sporting history, as the focus shifts from the historic Gabba to a state-of-the-art stadium designed to continue the legacy of international cricket in the region.