Suncorp Stadium, located in the heart of Brisbane, is one of Australia’s premier sports and entertainment venues.
Renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities, world-class events, and unbeatable atmosphere, the stadium is a must-visit destination for sports fans and concert-goers alike.
Over the years the venue has witnessed some truly inspirational and magical moments.
Who could forget the Brisbane Roar scoring two goals in the last five minutes to peg the Central Coast Mariners back in the 2011 A-League Grand Final? And what about the scenes after they won 4-2 on penalties?
How about that notorious moment when furious Queensland fans throw full beer cans of XXXX onto the pitch in protest at Wally Lewis being sin-binned for 5-minutes?
Then of course there was the momentous fight between Manny Pacquiao vs. Jeff Horn, which drew in a then-record crowd.
All iconic moments will live in the minds of those who were there or saw them on TV.
But how much do you know about the venue?
Well, in this article, we’ll tell you all about it, (or Lang Park, as some still refer to it). So please join us as we tell you all about Suncorp Stadium.
About the Stadium
Formerly known as Lang Park, Suncorp Stadium is one of Brisbane’s leading sports venues.
Located in the inner-city suburb of Milton it has a long and rich history, with roots dating back to 1914. The stadium boasts a seating capacity of 52,500 and is known for its distinctive, sloping roof design that covers all seating areas, sheltering fans from the elements.
It was originally built in 1914, although initially it was used as a parade ground for soldiers during 1914. During the 1920s cycling and athletics took place here, although it wasn’t until the Queensland Soccer Council took residency in the 1930s that it started to get a name for itself as a sports venue. This was cemented in 1957 when it became the headquarters for Queensland Rugby League.
Over the years the stadium has been developed several times, including most notably in 1999 when the Queensland government underwrote a $280 million refurbishment of it.
Today the area occupies 7.42 hectares. It is built on 85,000 m² and has a Strathayr turf playing surface that is 136 metres x 82 metres.
What Sports Are Played at the Heritage Bank Stadium?
Suncorp Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium that is primarily used for rugby league, rugby union, and soccer. However, it hosts other sporting events and concerts throughout the year as well.
The stadium is home to the Brisbane Broncos rugby league team and the Queensland Reds rugby union team. It has also hosted many major international rugby league and rugby union matches, including the Rugby League World Cup, the State of Origin series, and the Bledisloe Cup.
In addition, Suncorp Stadium has hosted many soccer matches, including A-League and international matches. Between 2005 and 2020 it was the home of the Brisbane Roar, while the Australian national men’s team has played there several times. It has also hosted some A-League Grand Finals, as well as selected matches for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup soccer tournament.
The venue has also hosted Australian Football League (AFL) pre-season matches as well as boxing in 2017 when Jeff Horne won a WBO welterweight title fight.
Other Events
Apart from professional sporting contests, Suncorp Stadium has been a concert venue for some of the world’s most popular and famous musical acts.
One of the first major artists to perform there was Robbie Williams in December 2006. But since then the likes of The Police, André Rieu, U2, Bon Jovi, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Eminem, One Direction, Foo Fighters, Guns n Roses and Justin Bieber have all performed there.
In March 2018, Ed Sheran broke the attendance record twice in two days during his concerts.
Facilities
Suncorp Stadium boasts outstanding facilities that have been designed to heighten the spectator experience.
One of its best features is that 75% of the entire stadium seating has been covered in line with the roof’s drip line. This provides spectators with lots of shade during hot, sunny days.
Overall the stadium has a seating capacity of 52,500. Of this number, 5,000 are designated as member seats, 1500 as corporate suite seats, 44,303 are general public seats and 890 are open corporate box seats. Additionally, there are 228 wheelchair positions and a further 228 escort seats. There are 312 enhanced amenity seats as well.
The stadium also has 2 offices for match days and 2 customer service help desks. 2 huge video replay screens are both 10.6 metres by 5 metres, as well as 432 televisions dotted around the stadium.
Supporters can also shop at 2 retail merchandise outlets, as well as a stadium retail merchandise shop. Additionally, there are several toilets and restrooms around the stadium as well as a quiet space for religious observations.
How to get to the stadium
For those who want to attend a match, there are several ways you can get to Suncorp Stadium.
If you live anywhere between the Gold Coast and Gympie, probably the easiest way is to take public transport.
The stadium is located within walking distance of several public transport options, including bus, train, and ferry services. So spectators have multiple choices open to them.
For instance, they can choose to take the train to Milton Station, which is located on the Ipswich and Beenleigh lines. From there it is just a short walk from the stadium.
Alternatively, the nearest bus stops are located on Park Road and Coronation Drive, again, both of which are within easy walking distance of the stadium.
If you are travelling by ferry, the nearest terminal is the Milton Ferry Terminal, which is easy to walk to from Suncorp.
Suncorp was the first major sports ground in Australia not to have public parking. So if you intend to drive to the stadium you will need to park at one of the several, private paid car parks in the surrounding area.
Brisbane can be accessed via the M1, as well as several other roads which are well-signposted. So you shouldn’t have any trouble getting them, especially if you use a satellite navigation system.
If you live in Brisbane and don’t fancy taking public transport, you can easily catch an Uber or a taxi to the stadium
Food in ground
Whilst at the stadium there are plenty of food options available to spectators.
This includes everything from the quintessential sports foods like burgers, chips, pies and hot dogs to more elevated dining options from upscale restaurants.
Overall the stadium accommodates 25 food and beverage outlets within it. Additionally, it has just under 2,200 fine dining spaces across 8 different restaurants. These venues serve up delicious steaks and seafood as well as Italian and Asian-inspired cuisine.
For those wanting alcohol, there are 34 bar stalls and 4 members’ bars available within the stadium.
Accommodation near the ground
For those who need a place to stay overnight or for a couple of days on either side of the event or matchday, there are plenty of options available.
If your budget and availability allow, one of the best options is the Gambaro Hotel Brisbane. This luxury
hotel is in the heart of Caxton Street, which is a popular dining and entertainment precinct that is just a short walk from Suncorp Stadium.
It offers comfortable and spacious rooms and suites, as well as an excellent meal option at its award-winning Gambaro Seafood Restaurant.
Another good place to consider is The Park Hotel Brisbane. It is a 4-star hotel within easy walking distance of Suncorp Stadium and offers comfortable, modern rooms that have great views of the city. If you stay here you will be able to enjoy its rooftop bar and restaurant and even go for a swim in its pool.
Also not far away from Suncorp is the Sebel Brisbane. The 4-star hotel is located just a 10-minute walk from the venue in South Brisbane and also has some very comfortable rooms.
For those who want to self-cater, the apartment-style Milton Brisbane and Quest Kelvin Grove both provide excellent options in safe neighbourhoods, with fully equipped kitchens.
Good pubs to visit
On match and concert days, there are a host of excellent pubs you can visit near Suncorp Stadium to either get you in the mood or to either celebrate or commiserate.
A must-visit place you should head to is The Caxton Hotel. This iconic pub is located just a stone’s throw from Suncorp Stadium and has a range of indoor and outdoor areas to choose from. It also has some good food options and live music performances on weekends.
The Paddo Tavern is another institution in the nearby suburb of Paddington. It is a popular pre- or post-spot for a relaxed drink or meal, as is the Palace Hotel, which is a historic pub in Petrie Terrace that has been a popular watering hole for locals since 1877.
Over in Red Hill, the 130-year-old Normanby Hotel attracts quite a few Broncos fans in particular pre-game. Whilst Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall is another quirky bar to get you in the mood, featuring a fun, retro vibe with live music, craft beer, and a range of American-style food options.
Quick Stats
Address: 40 Castlemaine St, Milton QLD 4064
Capacity: 52,500
Opened: 1914
Field size: 136 x 82 metres
Record attendance: 53,2700 (Ed Sheran concert 2023)