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The 1960 match, Ian Botham’s final great Test innings, Shane Warne’s career best, Peter Siddle’s birthday hat-trick, India’s renowned 2021 heist, and Shamar Joseph’s valiant efforts are just a few of the memorable Test moments that have taken place at Brisbane’s Gabba. However, there are now serious concerns about the Gabba’s viability as an international venue.
Following the forthcoming India Test and the men’s Ashes match in 2019, it was reported on Sunday that Queensland Cricket had only inked a two-year hosting deal with Cricket Australia. As a result, it is highly questionable when or if the renowned stadium would be back on the calendar.
There won’t be a half-century since it won’t have one of the four Tests against New Zealand the following year, but the Ashes match in 2025–2026 will mark the 49th season of Test cricket at the Gabba. But talks about white-ball matches are still going on because England is scheduled to visit for ODIs and T20Is that summer.
In 2030, the Gabba will reach the end of its economically feasible functioning life. Brisbane was supposed to host the Olympics in 2032, but the Queensland government decided against it because of the associated expenditures. Instead, the stadium and other municipal stadiums will likely undergo renovations.
Queensland Cricket’s chief executive Terry Svenson and chair Kirsten Pike expressed their organization’s dissatisfaction and worries about cricket in the state in an open letter.
“The State Government’s decision to not progress with its commitment to rebuild the Gabba and downgrade its proposed Olympic role has resulted in direct and indirect changes to how we proceed with our business,” they wrote.
“It is deeply disappointing that the 2026-27 Gabba Test has become a casualty of the uncertainty around the infrastructure planning and development ahead of the 2032 Olympic preparations, specifically around the Gabba.
“…and while not being unduly alarmist, the potential outcome of this continuing uncertainty could have a significant impact on participation statewide and fan engagement across men’s and women’s cricket.”
The Queensland Cricket letter added: “We remain hopeful that Test cricket will return to the Gabba after the summer of 2026-27 despite the current lack of detail and uncertainty surrounding the upgrades to the Gabba.”