Queensland Reds 2026

[Red Runner]

yeah and I reckon there's no chance in hell the stadium is being redeveloped. No money and it won't host anything Olympics. The lights aren't even working. its a training venue and community sport facility and just that. It keeps saying its the national home for women's rugby but both women's programs spend most their time in Sydney.

If the Government are going to upgrade Suncorp then they'll want games there and will continue to give teams inducements to play there making it almost unviable to play anywhere else. The Corporate boxes are the key.

 

[PhilClinton]

I'm confused by this statement

Yes true.

To elaborate, there isn't a stadium that currently fits the bill so everyone is correct they can't move away from Suncorp.

But I imagine if there was something built that hits that 20k-30k capacity it would be seen as a better option than Suncorp for the Reds.

With the AFL and NRL growing in SEQ, I can't see the Reds getting back a large enough share of the fanbase to ever fill Suncorp again like we did during the 2010s era.

 

[Major Tom]

Yes true.

To elaborate, there isn't a stadium that currently fits the bill so everyone is correct they can't move away from Suncorp.

But I imagine if there was something built that hits that 20k-30k capacity it would be seen as a better option than Suncorp for the Reds.

With the AFL and NRL growing in SEQ, I can't see the Reds getting back a large enough share of the fanbase to ever fill Suncorp again like we did during the 2010s era.

That's where the redevelopment of RNA would be the way to go. 20-25k stadium in the heart of the city. It would be awesome.

 

[Strewthcobber]

That's where the redevelopment of RNA would be the way to go. 20-25k stadium in the heart of the city. It would be awesome.

Almost certainly going to be an oval though isn't it at same dimensions as current?

Honestly I really can't see the point of it, other than to please the RNA. I'd rather just sit amongst a smaller crowd at Suncorp

 

[Major Tom]

Almost certainly going to be an oval though isn't it at same dimensions as current?

Honestly I really can't see the point of it, other than to please the RNA. I'd rather just sit amongst a smaller crowd at Suncorp

I'm not certain it'll be an oval because while it's an oval shape now it doesn't look big enough for AFL or cricket. I know cricket has been played there with Bradman scoring a century there in the past. Rectangle makes more sense with Roar and Reds.

 

[Adam84]

Tate McDermott injury sounds pretty serious, any surgery on a hamstring injury is a long lay off. Fair chance he might miss start of the season if not more

 

[Adam84]

I'm not certain it'll be an oval because while it's an oval shape now it doesn't look big enough for AFL or cricket. I know cricket has been played there with Bradman scoring a century there in the past. Rectangle makes more sense with Roar and Reds.

It’ll be oval, they’ve released preliminary designs and it’s more or less along the current shape. It’s aimed at hosting events and concerts. AFL have committed to Springfield for AFLW, and CA to Alan Border Field for matches too small for the Gabba.

Also it also won’t have any corporate facilities so again isn’t suitable even from that perspective.

 

[PhilClinton]

It’ll be oval, more or less along the current shape.

it also won’t have any corporate facilities so again isn’t suitable even from that perspective.

Isn't there a recently built (as in circa 2021) events centre right there?

Could easily host pre and post-match corporate functions and provide standard tickets to the attendees for the game.

There were lots of packages during the recent Lions series which involved offsite pre-match dinner with special guests and then walking into the stadium and sit at a regular seat.

 

[Adam84]

Isn't there a recently built (as in circa 2021) events centre right there?

Could easily host pre and post-match corporate functions and provide standard tickets to the attendees for the game.

There were lots of packages during the recent Lions series which involved offsite pre-match dinner with special guests and then walking into the stadium and sit at a regular seat.

Corporate facilities for match-day income is more then just having an event space near by, it’s access to a members bar during the game, restaurant/food, members seating, corporate boxes etc.

Anyway it’s a bit irrelevant as the RNA is going to remain oval

 

[Major Tom]

Corporate facilities for match-day income is more then just having an event space near by, it’s access to a members bar during the game, restaurant/food, members seating, corporate boxes etc.

Anyway it’s a bit irrelevant as the RNA is going to remain oval

If it's oval AFL would love it. Particularly if they continue with Opening Rd or look to try Gather Round in Brisbane. Although, seems mad to take that away from Adelaide.

 

[Ignoto]

I'd rather they put a roof over Suncorp that spend money building a 20-25k stadium that would get used a dozen or so times a year by us and the roar.

Get a roof and pump some AC and we can have rugby in the summer.

 

[PhilClinton]

I'd rather they put a roof over Suncorp that spend money building a 20-25k stadium that would get used a dozen or so times a year by us and the roar.

Get a roof and pump some AC and we can have rugby in the summer.

There was a big chat about this on Triple M before the game on Sunday arvo.

For me, chucking on a roof fundamentally changes the vibe of the place. I'd rather them add the extra 10k seats and build a mega grandstand.

It does sound like a roof is in serious consideration though as I am sure the non-sporting events would particularly prefer it and it may draw some of the larger acts who miss Brisbane.

Would they not consider chucking a roof into Vic Park stadium?

 

[Major Tom]

We're struggling to get a new cricket stadium let alone a roof on a perfect good stadium.

 

[Major Tom]

There was a big chat about this on Triple M before the game on Sunday arvo.

For me, chucking on a roof fundamentally changes the vibe of the place. I'd rather them add the extra 10k seats and build a mega grandstand.

It does sound like a roof is in serious consideration though as I am sure the non-sporting events would particularly prefer it and it may draw some of the larger acts who miss Brisbane.

Would they not consider chucking a roof into Vic Park stadium?

2 things. It's crazy expensive. And you can't play test cricket under a roof (yet). It could be retractable but that's even more expensive. Can't have shadows over the pitch.
I think getting more seats in would be money better spent.

 

[Adam84]

unless they're spending $1billion on Suncorp upgrade then it's not getting a roof, retrofitting a roof to a stadium not engineered structurally to support it from the start is stupidly expensive.

 

[Strewthcobber]

There's $3.4b (min) being spent on Games infrastructure over the next 7 years.

They ain't going to be funding anything that's not necessary for the games to take place.

The RNA Arena upgrade is the price to access the rest of that area for the accommodation

Reds will be playing at a roofless Suncorp for decades to come

 

[rugbyAU]

Why don’t they play some games in Townsville or the Gold Coast as the QLD Reds

 

[PhilClinton]

Why don’t they play some games in Townsville or the Gold Coast

Will be interesting if they take a game to the Gold Coast, particularly to leverage the Bond premiership success. It is also a more accessible location for the week-in-week-out Brisbane based members.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Why don’t they play some games in Townsville or the Gold Coast

As Adam said above, one of the big sources of revenue is season corporate packages (ie the boxes).

The big money doesn't want to have to go to the Gold Coast or Townsville to entertain their guests

 

[PhilClinton]

As Adam said above, one of the big sources of revenue is season corporate packages (ie the boxes).

The big money doesn't want to have to go to the Gold Coast or Townsville to entertain their guests

CBUS still has corporate suites and all the trimmings etc.

I am sure there is some consideration that sending a game down there could result in an additional 5k bums on seats. There is a strong Polynesian community down the coast and throughout Logan/Beenleigh/Coomera so potentially if the draw made sense they could put the Moana game there.