The Gabba

Why go

A ticketed event puts the ground's long sporting history into the present. Cricket and AFL use the same large oval, so the experience differs from Brisbane's rectangular football stadium at Lang Park. Check the event calendar before making the trip, especially if your interest is in a particular sport.

What to look for

• The broad oval shared by cricket and AFL.
• The stadium atmosphere during a scheduled match.

The full story

The Gabba takes its everyday name from Woolloongabba, the suburb around it. Land was set aside for cricket in 1895, and a match followed the next year. The ground later became a major stage for Queensland cricket, including its first Test match in 1931. It has also carried many other sports and large events. Modern redevelopment changed the stands and playing surface, but the shared oval still explains the venue's unusual range: it can hold a cricket field and Australian rules football on the same site. That is the reason to see it during an event. The field's scale, crowd arrangement and sightlines make much more sense from a seat than from outside the stadium. Its name remains closely tied to the surrounding suburb.

Useful to know

• Check the official event calendar and entry information before travelling.
• Plan around a ticketed event; public stadium tours are currently unavailable.

Your next visit

Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.