Architectus has been appointed as Principal Architect for the Barlow Park Stadium upgrade for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Architectus said the firm was picked after a rigorous six-month selection process by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA).
The upgrade to Barlow Park Stadium in Cairns will deliver a new grandstand, improved player amenities and accessibility, better equipment for athletes, and increase seating from 1,700 to 5,000, ensuring a lasting sporting and entertainment legacy for the city.
The grandstand design reflects the easy going, outdoor character of the Tropical North. It will ultimately improve the fan experience in this warm, humid climate.
The stadium will continue to serve codes like the National Rugby League (NRL/NRLW), QRL, football, and rugby union, while positioning Cairns as an international tropical sports and events destination of choice, delivering social and economic benefits for the entire community.
It will also continue to be the epicentre of Far North Queensland athletics hosting regional, state, and national competitions, as well as home to Cairns Athletics.
The 2032 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXV Olympiad and also known as Brisbane 2032 or the abbreviation Bris2032, is an upcoming international multisport event scheduled to take place from July 23rd-August 8th, 2032 with Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, as the main Host City.
The 2032 Summer Paralympics are an upcoming international multisport parasports event scheduled to be held in Brisbane from August 24th-September 5th, 2032 about a month after the 2032 Summer Olympics.
Sporting events are slated to be held in regional cities across the State, like football in Cairns, sailing in Townsville, cricket in the Mackay-Whitsunday region, and archery in Wide Bay-Burnett.
Existing venues will be used for training and events across the State, before and after the Games, and natural assets such as parklands and beaches will be used as temporary venues or Live Sites.
Architectus will collaborate with international sports architecture specialist HKS who are responsible for designing many of the world’s most recognised and acclaimed stadiums including SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, AT&T Stadium in Dallas and Optus Stadium in Perth.
Local Cairns architecture and design practice Indij Design is a key member of the project team and will work closely with the Traditional Custodians to ensure First Nations culture, knowledge and connection to Country are embedded in the design.
Climate-responsive design
As part of the vision for the Barlow Park upgrade, the new grandstand will feature an elevated seating bowl providing improved sightlines, a closer connection to on-field action and a more immersive game-day atmosphere.
The designs feature raised lower and upper concourses with clearer wayfinding and more intuitive links between key gathering spaces, capturing cooling breezes and improving fan comfort in Far North Queensland’s warm, humid climate.
Improved sun and weather protection, particularly for accessible seating directly beneath the upper tier, will be tailored to the intense sun and tropical downpours of the Far North. The design concept also frames views from the concourses to both the playing field and culturally significant landmarks to the east and west, deepening connection to Country.
Architectus Group Director Communities Mark van den Enden, said, “The upgraded stadium will be designed to capture cooling breezes and create shade while also delivering a great view from every seat.
“With its outstanding inner‑city location in one of Australia’s most iconic destinations, a redeveloped Barlow Park can become a true home for local clubs and a hub for major sport and entertainment, creating lasting social and economic benefits for Cairns well beyond 2032.”
Internally, the upgraded stadium will feature contemporary change rooms designed to better support athletes, players, officials, and staff.
The project will also support more food and beverage offerings with improved circulation and service points, reducing wait times so spectators can spend more time engaged in events.
Already home to the Northern Pride rugby league team and Cairns Athletics, Barlow Park Stadium has a proud history of hosting significant sporting events, including rugby league and football matches.
The Barlow Park Stadium upgrade is part of the $7.1 billion Games Venues Infrastructure Program, which is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments. The project will be delivered by GIICA.
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