Gold Coast Named as 2032 Olympic Hockey Venue – A Win for Hockey, A Win for the Gold Coast, A Win for Queensland

Hockey Australia and Hockey Queensland welcome today’s landmark announcement of the recommendation from the 100-day Review process that the Gold Coast Hockey Centre will be the venue host for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games 

Hockey Queensland CEO, Ms Alison Lyons said today’s announcement was a “a win for hockey, a win for the Gold Coast, and a win for Queensland.”

“Today’s decision ensures a high-quality, international-standard venue for the Games, while also securing a lasting infrastructure legacy for the sport, strengthening Queensland’s position as a hockey powerhouse in Australia.”

A Strategic and Sensible Decision for Hockey’s Future

Under the original 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Master Plan, hockey was set to be hosted at Ballymore using temporary "drop-in, rip-out" pitches.

From the moment the original Master Plan was released in 2021, Hockey identified it as being seriously deficient and unworkable, would deliver no legacy for hockey at all and been a waste of taxpayers’ money.

Hockey has been strongly advocating for almost four years for a more sensible configuration that would be cost-effective and deliver meaningful legacy outcomes for the sport.

Extensive engagement with all levels of government highlighted a significant existing deficit in the number of synthetic turf venues in Greater Brisbane and across Southeast Queensland. 

With Queensland’s current State Hockey Centre aging and no longer fit for purpose, Hockey’s initial preferred solution was to establish a new, permanent venue in Brisbane.

In noting the focus of the Terms of Reference for the 100-day Review on cost efficient and re-purposing existing sports facility infrastructure assets that would deliver generational legacy outcomes of Queensland, Hockey’s exhaustive analysis identified the Gold Coast Hockey Centre as the most logical, cost-effective choice.

With the support of the Gold Coast City Council, Hockey presented a compelling submission to the 100-day Review process, offering a strategic, fiscally responsible solution. This option not only secures an Olympic-standard hockey venue, but also enables essential pre-Games activity and the return of major international hockey events to Queensland.

“Today’s announcement is an incredibly important moment for hockey in Australia,” said David Pryles, CEO of Hockey Australia.

“By repurposing the outstanding Gold Coast Hockey Centre, we now have a clear path to bring international hockey back to Queensland well before 2032. 

“Today’s decision ensures the Olympics delivers a lasting impact on our sport and will allow us to provide meaningful pathway development opportunities for players, fans, and future Olympians in the decade ahead.

“Hockey is a top ten global participation sport. Our global audience is enormous. As a sport, we are champing at the bit to start delivering legacy outcomes for Queensland right now. 

“We have repeatedly highlighted the need for legacy outcomes from Brisbane 2032 to be seen in three phases – before, during and after. 

“We do not have to wait seven years to deliver legacy. Legacy starts now. As soon as the Gold Coast Hockey Centre is upgraded in line the recommendation announced today, Hockey can start bringing national and international events to Queensland as revenue generators showcasing Queensland to the world.”

A Critical First Step for Hockey’s Olympic Legacy

While today’s announcement is a major milestone for the sport, Ms Lyons emphasised that this is just the beginning of hockey’s broader ambitions for legacy infrastructure in Queensland.

“Our campaign has always been about ensuring that Brisbane 2032 creates lasting benefits for hockey, not just for two weeks of competition. 

“Securing the Gold Coast as the Olympic venue for 2032 is a critical first step, but we will continue to advocate for further investment in legacy infrastructure across the state.

“More synthetic hockey fields are urgently required in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, as well as other major centres in regional areas to meet the growing demand for our sport.”

Mr Pryles and Ms Lyons confirmed that Hockey Queensland and Hockey Australia will continue to work closely with all levels of government to ensure the Games provide broader legacy benefits for community hockey throughout the whole state, high-performance athletes and international competition.

What This Means for Queensland Hockey

With today’s announcement, planning will begin immediately to re-activate the Gold Coast Hockey Centre as an international standard facility that can be used in the years leading up to 2032. This decision:

• ensures international and national hockey tournaments return to Queensland well before the Games;
• builds a Gold Coast-based Olympic legacy, strengthening Queensland’s hockey infrastructure; and
• provides new pathways for athletes, inspiring the next generation of Olympians.

Next Steps

Hockey will now shift their focus to ensuring the broader Olympic legacy extends beyond one venue to ensuring the sport’s urgent facility requirements throughout Queensland are addressed.

As part of this, Hockey will push forward with plans to:

• advocate for new synthetic turf hockey fields in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and regional hubs to meet increasing participation demand;
• secure major international hockey tournaments in the lead-up to 2032, bringing top-tier competition back to Queensland; and
• work with local, state, and federal governments to deliver a comprehensive infrastructure plan that ensures Queensland is fully prepared to host the world’s best players in 2032 and beyond.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” Ms Lyons added.

“The decision to host hockey on the Gold Coast is a great first step, but to truly capitalise on the Olympic Games, we must continue to invest in legacy projects that will benefit hockey communities throughout Queensland for generations to come.”