Upgraded Barlow Park a major boost to Far North Queensland Region

Since December 1987, Barlow Park has been Cairns' premier football and athletics facility, and a centre of sport and recreation for the Far North Queensland community. 

Now, the region can prepare to welcome even more sports, larger events and bigger crowds as the venue is set to undergo a major upgrade, expected to be ready for community use in 2028, four years before the region hosts events for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

The upgraded venue will be more accessible than ever before, with universal amenities and enhanced athlete and match official facilities. The rebuilt West Stand will more than double its current capacity with 3,500 new permanent seats and 1,500 retractable seats over the existing athletics track. 

The planned upgrades will connect and enshrine First Nations People connection to country in the design, while also targeting a 6 Star Green Star Building rating as a global-standard sustainable venue.  

The upgrades will provide for sporting, community, cultural and entertainment needs before and well beyond the Brisbane 2032 Olympic ad Paralympics Games, strengthening Cairns as a tourism destination and regional gateway to Asia and the Pacific.