The Gabba

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The Gabba: A Historical Overview


The Brisbane Cricket Ground, commonly known as the Gabba, is a major sports stadium located in the suburb of Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia[1]. The Gabba has a rich history, hosting a variety of sports and events over the years, and is currently undergoing significant redevelopment in preparation for the 2032 Summer Olympics[3][10].


### Early History


Before the establishment of the Gabba, the land it sits on was a chain of waterholes that flowed westerly through to where Clarence Corner now sits[4]. The waterholes were drained in 1889, and the first game of cricket was played in 1896[4]. The Gabba has hosted a variety of sports and events over the years, including athletics, Australian rules football, baseball, concerts, cricket, cycling, rugby league, rugby union, Association football, and pony and greyhound racing[1]. The Gabba was also the official home ground for the Brisbane Bears from 1993 to 1996 and has been the home of the Brisbane Lions since 1997[1].


### The Gabba and Cricket


The Gabba is best known as a cricket stadium, hosting cricket matches from October to March[2]. The venue usually hosts the first test match of the season each November, in addition to a number of international one-day matches usually held in January[1]. The stadium has played host to high-profile matches in The Ashes series between teams from Australia and England, as well as interstate matches for the Sheffield Shield[2]. In 1992 and 2015, the venue was one of the arenas for the Cricket World Cup[2].


### Redevelopment and Modernization


The Gabba's facilities have been progressively renovated since 1993 with new bleachers, grandstands, light towers, and video screens[5]. The sixth and final stage of the $128 million redevelopment was completed in 2005, when a 24-bay grandstand replaced the old Brisbane Lions Social Club, increasing the stadium's seating capacity to 42,000[5].


### The Gabba and the 2032 Olympics


The Gabba is set to undergo a significant redevelopment in preparation for the 2032 Summer Olympics[3][10]. The $2.7 billion plan involves knocking down and rebuilding the Gabba, which will anchor a major urban renewal project[3]. The redevelopment will increase the capacity of the venue from 42,000 to 50,000 seats, and the site will be linked to the Woolloongabba Station precinct, being developed through the Cross River Rail project via a new pedestrian plaza[10]. The redevelopment has sparked controversy due to its high cost and the potential impact on local communities[3][6].


### Conclusion


The Gabba has a storied history, from its early days as a chain of waterholes to its current status as a major sports stadium. As it undergoes significant redevelopment for the 2032 Summer Olympics, the Gabba continues to be a central part of Queensland's sporting and cultural landscape.


Citations:

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gabba

[2] http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/aus/the_gabba

[3] https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/feb/17/brisbane-2032-olympics-live-arena-gabba-rebuild-redevelopment-queensland

[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/brisbane/comments/rbdqcd/the_gabba_throughout_history/

[5] https://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/gabba

[6] https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/dec/04/gabba-stadium-redevelopment-brisbane-olympics-2032-plan

[7] https://www.stadiums.qld.gov.au/about-us/our-history.aspx

[8] https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/brisbanes-gabba-to-be-demolished-and-rebuilt-for-2032-olympics-101700813320559.html

[9] https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-ashes-the-storied-history-of-gabba-yabba-and-the-grand-g-6d3vn6zzm

[10] https://infrastructurepipeline.org/project/gabba-redevelopment

[11] https://kangaroopointhistory.com.au/places/the-gabba-woolloongabba-cricket-ground/

[12] https://brisbanedevelopment.com/new-20000-seat-stadium-planned-for-rna-showgrounds-during-gabba-upgrade/?amp=1

[13] https://www.thegabba.com.au/about-us/about-the-stadium.aspx

[14] https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/best-bang-for-buck-miles-releases-new-details-of-2-7b-gabba-rebuild-20231124-p5emmn.html

[15] https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricket-grounds/brisbane-cricket-ground-woolloongabba-brisbane-56336

[16] https://woodcentral.com.au/architect-alliance-pushes-timber-rich-gabba-for-2032-olympics/

[17] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-17/gabba-stadium-redevelopment-funding-2032-olympics-infrastructure/101988206

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