A-League expansion is a hot topic and a second team in Brisbane is one of the clear standouts, with Ipswich the current frontrunner for where the team should be located.
Here’s a list of possible locations of where a new A-League team in Brisbane could be based with brief notes about each.
Ipswich
Ipswich is the current frontrunner and the council plan to build a 20,000-seat stadium if the bid is successful.
Ipswich is 44.3 km and 50 minutes by car from the CBD. It seems to be the preferred option of David Gallop and the Strikers bid team, but is it where fans in Brisbane would like to see a second team?
South Brisbane
A team in South Brisbane would create a rivalry with the north, which would set the stage for ‘The Battle of Brisbane’.
The team could play at QSAC, which could either be reconfigured or completely rebuilt from the ground up.
Other places for a new stadium could be at the Rocklea Trotting Track or the industrial area just to the south, which are both closer to rail.
The cost of the new stadium in Townsville might be prohibitive, but a design like the 30,000-capacity Augsburg Arena in Germany could be built for around $AUD75 million.
Redcliffe
Dolphin Oval could be a good boutique stadium for Moreton Bay United.
The stadium is already paid for and won’t come at extra cost to ratepayers. A good stadium deal should also be possible as it won’t be run by Stadiums Queensland.
Moreton Bay Region has a population of 400,000, while Redcliffe itself is located 41.4 km and 46 minutes by car from the CBD.
Perry Park
The home of Brisbane Strikers could be built up to increase its capacity.
But is it too close to Lang Park?
Richlands
Lions FC have previously discussed building a 14,500-seat stadium at their ground, which is located midway between Ipswich and Logan.
The central location could help to attract fans from both areas.
Ballymore
It isn’t as well located as Perry Park and Ballymore is already associated with Brisbane Roar, so I can’t see a new team setting up here.
Logan
Logan once raised an interest in building a 30,000-seat stadium to host a new team, but have since gone cold on the idea.
Lang Park
Nobody wants to see a ‘Brisbane Heart’, so you can forget that idea.
So where do you think is the best location in Brisbane for a new A-League team and why? Any comments from people in Brisbane in particular would be appreciated in the discussion below.
AR
Guest
I agree the competition badly needs 4 new licences, but I totally disagree that it's "ready" for them. And, that's not really my opinion, the FFA itself has just said that it's not ready for new licences because it can't afford them. It just can't. Hence the new for the overhaul. I think all this is ultimately good news for the ALeague in the long run, but I am bewildered that after 4 years in charge, this is what Gallop's final position is.
KJ
Roar Rookie
Because that's exactly what happened in Sydney and Melbourne, right?
Parra
Guest
I think less is more considering the quality of talent available in Australia. I would wait until all teams KPI's are similar such as average crowds, tv ratings and sponsorship as well as talent available. the a league is still in its infancy, and needs time to grow, including culturally. I think ten teams is ideal for quality and competiveness. Less is sometimes more.
AZ_RBB
Guest
What? A-league is ready for 2 new teams. Actually I think it's ready enough for 4 new teams especially if the broadcasters will up their contract with new teams. FFA are in a great position. Our frustration is born out of the fact that everything is going so great and we're not capitalising on it.
Swanny
Guest
Nemesis --last week u said I wasn't aA league follower. Yet I attend a minimum of 20 games a year and don't miss a match on t v . Who made u the messiah ?
AR
Guest
"Easily done. This is football." (See also: NZ Knights, NQ Fury, GCU, Melb Heart.) The absurdly flippant (and stunningly arrogant) "easily done, this is football" nonsense, blindly ignores how difficult it is to get genuine finance and infrastructure for any sport in Australia. Even more bizarre, is that this comment is being made by a so-called football fan 24 hours after Gallop told everyone if they continue on the current track, they'll go broke. There's only so many sheiks to go around. And even if there were hundreds of sheiks, would that be a good thing for the game in this country? Actually forget it, it's all easy...because football.
Ian
Guest
Steve - Ok, yes I agree. I don't come across many people who are demanding a 2nd team in Brisbane in the A-League. I would prefer more conscious marketing, development and support of the Roar. Yeah, with my comparison there were a couple of comments above by others using that comparison with league so I mistakenly assumed you were taking the same angle. On their crowds this season......they must have slipped from 3rd. For a few weeks we had a higher average than SFC who were leading the comp undefeated. Guess a home derby with WSW works wonders. I was a big Broncos fan for a long period. I actually think another Brisbane team would really struggle to get Bronco's crowds. I didn't see enough sort of, disdain or dislike, for them that would translate into supporting another club. Because of the Bronco's entrenchment is one. I know the SQ Crushers only lasted a while but from memory the crowds weren't huge - apart from the game against the Broncos. TBH - I think sometimes Broncos should get higher actual crowds with their dominance and popularity.
Kevin Malone
Guest
you must be a delight at dinner parties, fuss
steve
Guest
Ian, I think Brisbane are 4th for average attendance this season. I agree that a 2nd QLD team shouldn't be in Brisbane. I understand what you are saying about the fishes. My point was/ is, where is the groundswell of support for a second Brisbane team? Its not spoken about in the papers, its not spoken about on the radio, its not spoken about by the grassroots supporters at clubs in Brisbane that I travel around on a weekly basis for the last 15 years, it is only mentioned here every second week by the same people thinking that just plonking a team here for a derby is a great idea. I'm not sure comparing the Roar;s crowds and the average crowd of a whole other sport is the right way to go about it. Comparing the Roars average crowds to the Broncos and Lions and the Reds is where the comparison should be made. The appalling Lions averaged 17, 000, the Broncos 34, 000 for 2016 and the most recent figure I could find for the Qld Reds was 20, 000 for 2015. I would suggest a half successful season for the Reds would easily see them reach the 20, 000 mark. I would certainly make an argument that a second Brisbane based NRL team would go close to matching the Broncos figures. I highly doubt a second A league team would get anywhere near the Roars current figures.
Kevin Malone
Guest
no, it happens in other places too. be careful you could even learn something from another viewpoint
Kevin Malone
Guest
you make no sense. a new team would be dividing supporters
punter
Guest
No Ovals are for cricket not a football code!!!
Waz
Guest
I dont think a second team would cannibalise Roars support but could it find new support to survive or would it end up like heart did? If it worked Roars average crowd would jump and a further $1.5m in gate receipts received but there's a huge assumption a derby could work in Brisbane. For me the smart move would be both sides get together and build a boutique stadium, take the derbies to Suncorp and fill it, and have a lower cost base shared between the two. I'm still not convinced a second team could differentiate itself but either way, get costs down so an 8-10k average crowd can work.
Ian
Guest
Steve - Did I say there was support? I just said I don't think a 2nd QLD team should be in Brisbane. And I 'quoted' the FFA because they have used that line of fishes a number of times to indicate their preference is for expansion teams to be in capital cities rather than regional cities. And what is the point about crowds? Which code has significantly increased their crowds in recent years? Brisbane to my knowledge still have the 3rd highest average crowd this season and as above it's about 2000 less than the average rugby league attendance. So there are quite a few little fishes turning up to Roar games
Nemesis
Guest
Every NPL club owns its own stadium, or it owns the management rights for its own stadium. Some capital investment required for Lighting, cabling (TV/internet broadcasts), amenities, safe standing, etc. Easily done. This is football.
steve
Guest
Surely even the ignorant like you should know that money spent on football infrastructure in Australia is virtually non existent. regardless of what they are doing in Asia or the rest of the world.
steve
Guest
Exactly, no game should ever be played on an oval.
Nemesis
Guest
Capital markets are global. Football is global.
Boz
Guest
It was Stu. There was resentment from some Rugby League supporters in Brisbane in the early days because the Broncos effectively sounded the death knell for the Brisbane Rugby League competition. Over time, a lot of these people accepted the reality of the game becoming more national and their crowd numbers picked up - particularly once they moved to QE2 stadium.
steve
Guest
Not in Australia.