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The history of Suncorp Stadium

Suncorp Stadium has a rich history within the Brisbane landscape. Below is a timeline of the history of the site since the mid-1800s.

A physical history wall is also located in the venue on Level 5 north, outside the Paddington Room. Visit the wall on Level 5 next time you're in or simply scroll down to view the history of the venue!

1842

The former Moreton Bay Penal Settlement (est. 1825) is made available to free settlers.


The following year the North Brisbane Burial Grounds are established on this site, then beyond the boundary of the town shown in this map.

Map of the North Brisbane Burial Ground in 1842.

1843 – 1875

Brisbane expands, rapidly surrounding the Burial Grounds which have become overcrowded.

The Brisbane General Cemetery at Toowong is officially opened in 1875 and burials mostly cease on this site.

Brisbane houses surrounding the North Brisbane cemetery between 1843 and 1875.

1876 – 1910

The redundant North Brisbane Burial Grounds become overgrown.


The Queensland Government plans to redevelop this site as a recreation ground to serve the surrounding densely populated suburbs.

A headstone in the North Brisbane Burial Grounds.

1910 - 1914

Relatives are advertised for by the Queensland Government and given the opportunity to have the remains and memorials moved to another cemetery at the Government’s expense.


505 headstones from this site are placed in storage in a reserve created behind Christ Church, Milton. Those not claimed by the relatives are broken up in the early 1930s and used as fill.

Christ Church, Milton, between 1910 and 1914.

1914 - 1918

In 1914, the former Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and Jewish burial grounds are gazetted as Lang Park, named after the Reverend John Dunmore Lang who was instrumental in bringing migrants directly to Brisbane in 1849.
 

During World War I, Lang Park is used as a parade ground.

Lang Park used as a parade ground during World War I.

1920s

In addition to cycling, Lang Park hosts numerous athletics carnivals. Here, C. O’Neill competes in the discus.

C. O’Neill competing in the discus at Lang Park in the 1920s.

1930s

From 1934, Lang Park became the home of the Queensland Soccer Council who subleased the grounds from the Queensland Amateur Athletics Association.

People playing soccer at Lang Park in the 1930s.

1940s

The cycling track is clearly visible in this panorama taken in 1949, the year a new track is opened at Kelvin Grove.

Panorama shot of cycling track in the 1940s.

1950s

Since the 1920s, the Wirths’ Circus were annual visitors to Lang Park.
 

Their elephants were a favourite attraction and the community was saddened in 1956 when Carley died and was buried at the Hale Street side of the Park.

Circus poster from the 1950s.

1957

Lang Park became the headquarters for Queensland Rugby League.

Queensland Rugby League logo.

1962

The Queensland Government established the Lang Park Trust allowing the QRL to undertake improvements and administer all activities at Lang Park. Construction of the Frank Burke Stand commences.

Construction of the Frank Burke Stand in 1962.

1974

Lang Park severely impacted by the Brisbane floods.

Lang Park submerged in water during the 1974 Brisbane floods.

1980

The Aboriginal community’s relationship with the site continued when Rugby League Immortal, Arthur Beetson lead Queensland onto the field for the very first State of Origin game.

Rugby League Immortal, Arthur Beetson leading Queensland onto the field for the very first State of Origin game in 1980.

1994

The Frank Burke Stand replaced by the Western Grandstand and Lang Park renamed Suncorp-Metway Stadium.

Aerial shot of Suncorp Stadium at nighttime in 1994.

1999

The Queensland Government announces plans to undertake a $280 million redevelopment of the venue.

View of the Stadium whilst undergoing redevelopment in 1999.

2003

The redeveloped Suncorp Stadium opens.

Inside Suncorp Stadium on the day the redeveloped Suncorp Stadium opened in 2003.

2003

Suncorp Stadium hosts nine games of the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Players mid-game during 2003 Rugby World Cup.

2006

Suncorp Stadium holds its first concert since the redeveloped venue opened.
 

British singer, Robbie Williams played two full-house shows.

Robbie Williams performing on stage at Suncorp Stadium in 2006.

2008

Suncorp Stadium hosts both the semi-final and final of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

Close up shot of the teams during the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

2011

Suncorp Stadium receives significant damage as a result of the Brisbane floods. Major repair works as a result of the flood costing $16 million were completed the following year.

Suncorp Stadium field submerged in water during the 2011 QLD Floods.

2013

Attendances since the redeveloped venue opened passed the 10 million mark.

Fans in the bowl at Suncorp Stadium during an event.

2015

Suncorp Stadium hosts seven games of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

Teams mid game during the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

2015

Record venue attendance record established with 52,500 fans attending State of Origin 3.

Suncorp Stadium screen showing 52,500 fans in attendance at State of Origin 3 in 2015.

2017

Major upgrades to the Stadium including the unveiling of new Super Screens.

Upgraded Suncorp Stadium Super Screen.

2017

Suncorp Stadium hosts its first ever boxing event - a WBO welterweight title fight in front of an Australian record 51,026 fans - won by Brisbane’s Jeff Horn.

Brisbane’s Jeff Horn celebrating his win in the ring, surrounded by a packed out Suncorp Stadium.

2017

The Kangaroos and Jillaroos complete a historic double, winning the men’s and women’s Rugby League World Cup Finals on the same day at Suncorp Stadium.

Jillaroos holding up trophy during winning moment.

2018

Ed Sheeran breaks the previous attendance record at Suncorp Stadium not once, but twice during back to back shows. The new Stadium attendance record of 53,272 was set during the second show.

Packed out Suncorp Stadium for Ed Sheeran's 2018 concert.

2019

Suncorp Stadium welcomes the inaugural NRL Magic Round to Brisbane. All 16 NRL teams played over one weekend at the ground with 134,000 patrons in attendance.

Inside Suncorp Stadium during Magic Round 2019. Crowd attendance figure of 134677 is displayed on the big screen.

2019

Suncorp Stadium is the venue where Belinda Sharpe became the NRL's first female referee to officiate a full NRL match. In her 100th match as an NRL official Sharpe refereed the round 18 game between the Brisbane Broncos and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Belinda Sharpe on the Suncorp Stadium field holding a football.

2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Suncorp Stadium held the last event before the Australian lockdown without crowds in attendance. The venue was the first to return with limited capacity before eventually also becoming the first Stadium in the world to safely welcome back a full capacity event.

Last event at Suncorp Stadium before the Australian lockdown without crowds in attendance.

2021

The Queensland Reds win the inaugural Super Rugby AU Championship in front of more than 40,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium capping off a season in which they remained undefeated at the venue.

Reds holding up trophy, celebrating win.

2021

Suncorp Stadium hosts the once-in-a-lifetime NRL Grand Final between the Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs. This was the first time in the competition’s history that the Grand Final had been played in Brisbane following the relocation of the NRL Finals Series to Queensland.

Fans heading into Suncorp Stadium on the day of the 2021 NRL Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium.

2022

Suncorp Stadium is again inundated due to the Southeast Queensland floods. The venue implemented its flood mitigation process ensuring damage was minimised and incredibly was able to host a back-to-back weekend of events within 2 weeks of the extreme weather event.

Suncorp Stadium's field flooded with water.