Principal Architects Announced for Key Olympics Venues

Last week was huge for Brisbane 2032, with a wave of architect appointments signalling real momentum across the Games infrastructure pipeline.

Moreton Bay: A global name steps in

Global sports design leader Populous has been appointed Principal Architect for the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre, a 12-court indoor facility set to host Olympic and Paralympic events.

With a Games-time capacity of up to 10,000, the venue is designed with legacy front of mind, supporting everything from elite competition through to local community use.

Populous brings a strong Brisbane base, they’ve delivered major venues like Suncorp Stadium and the Queensland Tennis Centre, alongside Olympic projects across the globe.

Sunshine Coast: Designed by the region, for the region

Architectus has been tapped to lead the Sunshine Coast Stadium upgrade.

The design leans heavily into the Coast’s identity; think open concourses, natural ventilation and a flowing connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. A new roofline inspired by coastal landscapes and hinterland forms aims to put the region’s character front and centre on the global stage.

The upgrade will increase capacity from just over 1,000 to more than 10,000 seats, with the ability to host up to 20,000 spectators during Olympic football matches.

Architectus will partner with international stadium specialists HKS, bringing global stadium experience into a distinctly local design.

Cairns: A tropical rethink for Barlow Park

In Far North Queensland, Architectus is also leading the upgrade of Barlow Park Stadium.

Here, the focus is firmly on climate-responsive design; capturing breezes, improving shade and creating a more comfortable experience in tropical conditions.

The upgrade will deliver a new grandstand, boost capacity to 5,000 and significantly improve amenities for athletes and spectators alike.

The project also brings in local firm Indij Design to embed First Nations knowledge and connection to Country into the design.

What’s next

With early works already underway on several sites and construction timelines starting to take shape from 2027, the pace is only picking up.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on what comes next, because there’s plenty more to come as 2032 gets closer.