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The newly released Stadiums Queensland annual report for the 2022/23 financial year has reported a record year across the agency’s nine venues hosted 178 major events - welcoming a record 4.9 million patrons - and contributing $1.1 billion in economic benefit to Queensland's economy during the 12-month period.

The annual report also showed that the venues welcomed more than 1.4 million people for community use and achieved a 97% satisfaction rating among survey patrons.

Writing in the annual report, Stadiums Queensland (SQ) Chair, Cathy McGuane advised “the last 12 months … have been busy with events now that the state is finally fully open for the first me in three years.

“The year included one for the history books, the first ever concert at Cbus Super Stadium to farewell one of the greatest rock bands in history, KISS.

“It also involved some huge events for the state including; the T20 World Cup at The Gabba, an event that put Brisbane on the global sporting stage, generating up to $5 million for Queensland’s economy as a major drawcard for both domestic and international visitors; the ‘Battle of Brisbane’ for our NRL teams with the Dolphins taking on the Broncos in a sellout match at Suncorp Stadium; and the Ampol Women’s State of Origin Game II at Queensland Country Bank Stadium with a record crowd of 18,275 fans in attendance. We’ve witnessed a steady stream of concerts including international acts like Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

“The period has also seen incredible demand from international music promoters, so much so that we’ve worked with Government to temporarily increase the concert cap from six to 12 major events per year to ensure Queensland does not miss out on opportunities to host world-class acts. Live experiences are well and truly back on the agenda, with ticket sales, event attendance and onsite spend all indicating incredible demand for live events.

Patronage at Stadiums Queensland venues in 2022/23.

“This demand has been reflected in record attendance across our venues with more than 4.9 million people coming through the gates in the past 12 months, resulting in a cumulative 80 million people attending SQ venues since the business was formed back in 2001. In the 2022/23 financial year, SQ has hosted 178 major events as well as smaller community events like the Vinnies CEO Sleepout at Cbus Super Stadium, the Variety Club’s Wheels of the World Car & Bike Show at the Queensland Tennis Centre and even learn-to-swim classes and school sport sessions.

“Altogether, SQ venues are estimated to have contributed $1.1 billion to the Queensland economy during the last financial year, directly supporting approximately 4,670 FTE jobs, and an additional 3,741 FTE jobs through flow on activity.

“They’re incredibly impressive figures, which are the highest since inception and reflect our importance in the community and across the events industry. This is backed by our overall fan satisfaction rang of 97%, another great indicator that we are delivering for Queensland. Our newest venue in Townsville, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, has played an important part in supporting the Townsville community, contributing $71.5 million in economic value and supporting 637 FTE jobs both directly and indirectly.

First carbon neutral facility
In the annual report, Stadiums Queensland Chief Executive, Todd Harris advised “we’ve also opened our first carbon-neutral building, the National Throws Centre of Excellence at QSAC, which is hopefully the future of all sports facilities as we upgrade and build new facilities ahead of Brisbane 2032.” 

Specific venue highlights included:

• Brisbane Entertainment Centre (BEC) hosted around 550,000 fans and 43 Main Arena performances
• Cbus Super Stadium hosted its first ever concert from rock superstars KISS in front of 13,200 fans
• The Gabba’s internationally famous wicket hosted the world’s best cricketers for Australia’s largest sporting event in 2022, the T20 Cricket World Cup, generating up to $5 million for Queensland’s tourism economy
• Heritage Bank Stadium hosted a record 49,957 crowd at Harry Styles’ only Queensland concert
• Queensland State Athletics Centre (QSAC) completed the construction of the National Throws Centre of Excellence, a sustainably focussed, world class training facility for athletics disciplines like discus, hammer throw, shot put and javelin
• The Queensland Tennis Centre (QTC) hosted the first combined ATP/WTA mixed international teams tennis event, the United Cup
• Sleeman Sport Complex (SSC) hosted more than 600 athletes from 26 countries for the Virtus Oceania Asia Games, a multi-sport competition for elite athletes with an intellectual impairment
• Suncorp Stadium hosted three back-to-back Ed Sheeran concerts, breaking the venue attendance record with a total of 173,387 fans across three nights
• Queensland Country Bank Stadium hosted the first ever sold-out North Queensland Cowboys home NRL Preliminary Final in Townsville.

Stadiums Queensland is a statutory authority of the Queensland Government which manages, develops, uses, operates and promotes the use of Queensland’s major sport, entertainment and recreation facilities.

Its nine venues are valued at $3.7 billion.

Click here to view the full report.

Images: The Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium (top, credit: Suncorp Stadium) and Ampol Women’s State of Origin Game II at Queensland Country Bank Stadium (below, credit: NRL).

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