Brisbane Named Australia’s Top Sports City in New Survey
In a recent survey by BCW, Brisbane has been crowned Australia’s top sports city, beating out sports-mad Melbourne and Sydney. The Queensland capital secured an impressive 15th place in the annual Ranking of Sports Cities, just behind Chicago and Munich.
Paris and Los Angeles claimed the top spots on the list, followed closely by London. New York and Manchester rounded out the top five. Tokyo, which held the first position last year, dropped to eighth place in the current ranking.
Brisbane’s debut in the rankings can be attributed to winning the bid to host the 2032 Olympic Games. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner expressed his excitement, stating, “Brisbane is already well known as a leading global sports city, and that reputation will only be enhanced as we get closer to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
The city’s success in securing major sporting events is also due to its world-class stadiums, vibrant precincts, year-round sunshine, and excellent public transport. In fact, the federal government recently approved $7 billion in funding for new and upgraded stadiums, including the construction of the state-of-the-art $2.5 billion Brisbane Arena.
The Gabba, another iconic stadium in Brisbane, will also undergo a major redevelopment at a cost of $2.7 billion. This project aims to meet the International Olympic Committee’s requirements for a 50,000 capacity stadium. Additionally, Brisbane will host the Women’s World Cup later this month and the Rugby World Cup in 2027.
Brisbane has already made its mark on the sporting world by hosting the NRL’s Magic Round since 2019. This annual extravaganza has drawn over 540,000 fans since its inception, with a record-breaking 147,105 attendees this year alone. The event contributes an estimated $28 million each year to the Sunshine State’s economy.
To solidify Brisbane’s status as a premier sporting destination, the Queensland government is reportedly prepared to offer $20 million to the NRL to secure the city as the host of Magic Round for the next decade.
With its upcoming Olympic Games and a lineup of prestigious sporting events, Brisbane is set to shine on the global stage as a top sports city.
