Is the Gabba's reign over now over?

The Gabba has a purpose, according to the head of Cricket Australia, which expires in 2030. We need a answer, and are working on it"

The Gabba in Brisbane has played host to plenty of memorable Examine moments- the 1960 tie, Ian Botham's last wonderful Test innings, Shane Warne's career ideal, Peter Siddle's birthday hat-trick, India's popular 2021 heist and Shamar Joseph's heroics to pick out a few- but there are now major questions over its future as an international venue.

On Sunday it was confirmed that Queensland Cricket had just signed a two-year having agreement with Cricket Australia which means beyond the approaching India Test and next year's men's Ashes fixture there is tremendous uncertainty when, or if, the popular ground will be up on the schedule.

The Ashes meeting in 2025-26 will be the 49th consecutive year of Test cricket at the Gabba, but there will be no half-century with it not having one of the four New Zealand Tests the next time. There are, however, conversations continued about white-ball tournaments with England due to visit that summertime for ODIs and T20Is.

The Gabba is coming towards the close of its practical acting career in 2030. The Queensland government first approved the city's plan to completely restore the venue, but that was voided according to costs. In the meantime, different stadiums in the city are expected to undergo renovations as well.

The stadium would have been out of service for a number of years if it had been completely rebuilt, but it is still uncertain whether it will be useful during a renovation.

The organization's frustrations and fears for state cricket were laid out in an open letter from Queensland Cricket Chair Kirsten Pike and CEO Terry Svenson.

" The State Government's decision to not progress with its commitment to restore the Gabba and upgrade its proposed Olympic part has resulted in direct and indirect changes to how we proceed with our organization", they wrote.

" It is greatly unsatisfactory that the 2026-27 Gabba Test has become a victim of the uncertainty around the system planning and development ahead of the 2032 Olympic preparations, especially around the Gabba.

The potential outcome of this continuing uncertainty could have a significant impact on statewide and fan engagement across men's and women's cricket, according to the statement.

Allan Border, the former captain of Australia and Queensland, demanded a new multipurpose facility in the city last week.

" It's sad, but they]Cricket Australia ] have got to have some certainty, probably over the next four years, if they can use the Gabba or not, "he told the Australian". I'd be knocking down the Gabba and building a new venue from scratch at Victoria Park. A brand new 60, 000-seat stadium suits rugby, cricket, Aussie rules and the Olympics, and the Gabba becomes housing."

Whatever the future of a major cricket venue in Brisbane, there could be a potential challenger on the horizon with Tasmania having ambitions to host indoor Test cricket in the proposed new Hobart stadium which is set to be ready in 2029. However, Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird said it was hard to envisage a future where Brisbane was not part of the regular Test schedule.

" That's hard to imagine, but we have to have the facilities and a ground that supports it, "he said". The fans who visit the world's best players should have the best experience possible.

" What we do know is the Gabba has a use for life that ends in 2030. We need a solution, and are working with the AFL as well on a long-term solution. We want a great venue in Brisbane, that can support Queensland Cricket and Australian cricket for years to come".

The Queensland Cricket letter added:" We remain hopeful that Test cricket will return to the Gabba after the summer of 2026-27 despite the current lack of detail and uncertainty surrounding the upgrades to the Gabba".

There are some smaller, less expensive international venues in Queensland. The women's team at Allan Border Field in Brisbane regularly plays there, and Australia A and the Gold Coast hosted a T20I against West Indies in 2022. In regional Queensland, Mackay is used while Townsville and Cairns hosted the 2022 T20I and ODI series, respectively, against Zimbabwe and New Zealand.

In the upcoming years, Australia's Men's Future Tours Programme will play some winter home cricket, which could open the door to venues like Cairns and Townsville. South Africa are due to visit for ODIs and T20Is in August 2025 while Afghanistan have a Test and three T20Is allocated in July 2026 although those would appear unlikely to happen given Cricket Australia's current stance on bilateral series with Afghanistan.