Lang Park: Difference between revisions
Multi-purpose stadium in Milton, Queensland, Australia
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View of playing field from southern end, 13 July 2022 |
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| Former names | Lang Park Suncorp-Metway Stadium |
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| Location | 40 Castlemaine Street, Milton, Queensland, Australia |
| Coordinates | 27°27′53″S 153°0′34″E / 27.46472°S 153.00944°E |
| Operator | ASM Global |
| Capacity | 52,500[3] |
| Record attendance | 59,185 (2022/23 Ed Sheeran) |
| Field size | 136 x 82 m |
| Field shape | Rectangular |
| Surface | Grass (Strathayr turf)[1] |
| Broke ground | 1911 |
| Opened | 1914 |
| Construction cost | A$ 280 million (redevelopment) |
| Architect | HOK Sport & PDT Architects in Association |
| Structural engineer | Ove Arup & Partners |
| Rugby League Brisbane Broncos (NRL) (1988–1992, 2003–present) Dolphins (NRL) (2023 onwards)[2] South Queensland Crushers (ARL) (1995–1997) Queensland Maroons (State of Origin) (1980–2000, 2003–present) Australia national rugby league team (selected matches) Rugby League World Cup final (2008, 2017) NRL Grand Final (2021) Rugby Union Queensland Reds (Super Rugby) (2005–present) Australia national rugby union team (selected matches) Soccer Brisbane Roar (A-League) (2005–2020, 2022–present) Brisbane Strikers (NSL) (1995–2000) Australia national soccer team (selected matches) |
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| https://www.suncorpstadium.com.au/ | |
Lang Park, also known as Brisbane Football Stadium,[4] by the sponsored name Suncorp Stadium, and nicknamed “The Cauldron“, 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), Queensland Reds, and the Queensland Maroons.
Lang Park was established in 1914, on the site of the former North Brisbane Cemetery, and in its early days 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, and 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, and some Wallabies, Matildas and Socceroos matches. It hosted the 2008 and 2017 Rugby League World Cup finals, and 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.[5] The venue will host several matches for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup including the third-place match as well as the soccer tournament at the 2032 Summer Olympics, including the gold medal matches in both the men’s and women’s events.[6][7]
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.[8][9]
The ground was leased by the Queensland Amateur Athletics Association (QAAA) in the 1920s. In 1935, the Queensland Soccer Council (QSC) became a sub-tenant of the QAAA, with a view to using it as the home ground for Brisbane soccer fixtures (leaving its former home, the Brisbane Cricket Ground).[10] The Latrobe Soccer Club, in turn, became a sub-tenant of the QSC, using the ground for its home games (see image below).
However, by 1937, the QSC was considering sub-leasing Lang Park to “another code of football” (most likely Western Suburbs Rugby League) as it “was not satisfied with the financial returns … under the sub-lease to the Latrobe-Milton club”.[11] Latrobe in turn responded that “‘If no action Is taken to introduce the Ipswich clubs into the Brisbane competition this’ season … the Latrobe-Milton Club cannot accept an increase in rental for Lang Park. Give us competition play with Ipswich and my club will hold the ground as headquarters for the code.”[12]
On 11 February 1950, the official opening of the Lang Park Police Citizens Youth Club took place and youth activities commenced because of the concerns with the increase of juvenile delinquency. Activities such as boxing, wrestling, basketball and gymnastics all occur at these premises to this day.
Contemporaneous records are scant, but it appears the QSC did not renew the lease the ground after the intervening World War II. In 1953 the Brisbane Rugby League (BRL) amalgamated with the Queensland Rugby League (QRL). QRL secretary Ron McAullife negotiated a 21-year lease of Lang Park…
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