Architectus-led team set to revamp Barlow Park Stadium for 2032 Games
Far North Queensland’s athletes and sports fans will benefit from a cool, shaded new-look Barlow Park Stadium in Cairns, designed by Architectus and our award-winning team.
Our practice was today announced as Principal Architect for the Barlow Park Stadium upgrade after a rigorous six-month selection process by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA).
With a 135+ year history in Queensland, we’re one of the state’s largest and most diverse architectural studios, with over 150 staff across Brisbane, Townsville and the Gold Coast.
A new grandstand, more seating and better amenities
The upgrade to Barlow Park Stadium will deliver a new grandstand, improved player amenities and accessibility, better equipment for athletes, and increase seating from 1,700 to 5,000, ensuring a lasting sporting and entertainment legacy for Cairns.
The grandstand design reflects the easy going, outdoor character of the Tropical North. It will ultimately improve the fan experience in this warm, humid climate.
The stadium will continue to serve codes like the National Rugby League (NRL/NRLW), QRL, football, and rugby union, while positioning Cairns as an international tropical sports and events destination of choice, delivering social and economic benefits for the entire community.
It will also continue to be the epicentre of Far North Queensland athletics hosting regional, state, and national competitions, as well as home to Cairns Athletics.
The team’s local and global experience
Architectus has worked on a range of outstanding projects – headlined by the iconic Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in Brisbane – one of the city’s most-loved buildings since its opening in 2006, as well as winning the 2007 Royal Australian Institute of Architects National Award for Public Architecture. We also completed the HMAS Cairns Redevelopment in Far North Queensland.
Architectus will collaborate with international sports architecture specialist HKS who are responsible for designing many of the world’s most recognised and acclaimed stadiums including SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, AT&T Stadium in Dallas and Optus Stadium in Perth.
Local Cairns architecture and design practice Indij Design is a key member of the project team and will work closely with the Traditional Custodians to ensure First Nations culture, knowledge and connection to Country are embedded in the design.
A climate-responsive design
As part of our vision for the Barlow Park upgrade, the new grandstand will feature an elevated seating bowl providing improved sightlines, a closer connection to on-field action and a more immersive game-day atmosphere.
The designs feature raised lower and upper concourses with clearer wayfinding and more intuitive links between key gathering spaces, capturing cooling breezes and improving fan comfort in Far North Queensland’s warm, humid climate.
Improved sun and weather protection, particularly for accessible seating directly beneath the upper tier, will be tailored to the intense sun and tropical downpours of the Far North. The design concept also frames views from the concourses to both the playing field and culturally significant landmarks to the east and west, deepening connection to Country.
“The upgraded stadium will be designed to capture cooling breezes and create shade while also delivering a great view from every seat.”
Architectus Group Director Communities Mark van den Enden
“With its outstanding inner‑city location in one of Australia’s most iconic destinations, a redeveloped Barlow Park can become a true home for local clubs and a hub for major sport and entertainment, creating lasting social and economic benefits for Cairns well beyond 2032,” Mark added.
Supporting athletes, staff and spectators
Internally, the upgraded stadium will feature contemporary change rooms designed to better support athletes, players, officials, and staff.
The project will also support more food and beverage offerings with improved circulation and service points, reducing wait times so spectators can spend more time engaged in events.
Already home to the Northern Pride rugby league team and Cairns Athletics, Barlow Park Stadium has a proud history of hosting significant sporting events, including rugby league and football matches.
The Barlow Park Stadium upgrade is part of the $7.1 billion Games Venues Infrastructure Program, which is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments. The project will be delivered by GIICA.
