Lang Park
Lang Park, nicknamed "The Cauldron", also known as Brisbane Stadium[4][5] and by the sponsored name Suncorp Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, located in the suburb of Milton. The current facility comprises a three-tiered rectangular sporting stadium with a capacity of 52,500 people.[3] The traditional home of rugby league in Brisbane, the modern stadium is also now used for rugby union and soccer and has a rectangular playing field of 136 by 82 metres (446 by 269 ft). The stadium's major tenants are the Brisbane Broncos, the Dolphins (NRL), the Queensland Reds and the Queensland Maroons.
For the venue known as Brisbane Stadium between 1910 and 1958, see Brisbane Festival Hall.Former names
Lang Park
Suncorp-Metway Stadium
40 Castlemaine Street, Milton, Queensland, Australia
52,500[3]
59,185 (2022/23 Ed Sheeran)
136 x 82 m
Rectangular
1911
1914
A$ 280 million (redevelopment)
HOK Sport & PDT Architects in Association
Lang Park was established in 1914, on the site of the former North Brisbane Cemetery; in its early days it was home to a number of different sports, including cycling, athletics and soccer. The lease of the park was taken over by the Brisbane Rugby League in 1957, before it became the home of the game in Queensland (remaining so to this day). It has also been the home ground of major rugby union and soccer matches in Queensland since its modern redevelopment, including the Queensland Reds and the Brisbane Roar, as well as some Wallabies, Matildas and Socceroos matches. It hosted the 2008 and 2017 Rugby League World Cup finals, besides the 2021 NRL Grand Final. In addition to this, the ground hosted Rugby World Cup quarter finals and two Super Rugby grand finals, with the Queensland Reds winning on both occasions.[6] The venue hosted several matches for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup including the third-place match, and will host the soccer tournament at the 2032 Summer Olympics, including the gold medal matches in both the men's and women's events. It will also host the opening and closing ceremonies to the 2032 Olympics. [7][8]
History[edit]
Origins[edit]
The site of Lang Park was originally the North Brisbane Cemetery, and until 1875 was Brisbane's primary cemetery. By 1911, the area was heavily populated, so the Paddington Cemeteries Act (1911) was introduced, and the site was redeveloped as a recreational site. In 1914, it was fenced off and named Lang Park after John Dunmore Lang.[9][10]
Awards[edit]
In 2009, as part of the Q150 celebrations, Suncorp Stadium (Lang Park) was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as a "structure and engineering feat".[38]
Controversies[edit]
On Saturday, 16 June 2011, The Weekend Australian revealed that Suncorp Stadium was in danger of either losing the hosting rights to all Queensland based NRL finals matches to Sydney, or having its capacity limited to 25,000 seats, due to a condition included in the legislation regarding the Stadium's redevelopment that only 24 'special events' (i.e. with attendance in excess of 25,000) a year can hosted at the venue. This number of special events was reached when the Brisbane Broncos faced the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in Round 26 of the 2011 NRL Telstra Premiership Season. On 6 September 2011, legislation was passed to lift the crowd capacity limit to 35,000 for those 24 events, enabling the Broncos to host finals matches should they progress that far.[63]
The stadium's grass quality was criticised by coaches and players during 2015 AFC Asian Cup.[64]
Boxing[edit]
Suncorp Stadium was the host of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Jeff Horn fight for the WBO welterweight championship with 51,052 people in attendance.[66]