Canberra Airport proposes all-event stadium in city centre

Canberra Airport has announced plans to construct a multi-purpose stadium in the heart of the city, a location previously deemed unsuitable for development by the ACT government. The new venue aims to host large-scale musical performances and major sporting events, ensuring fans and visitors are conveniently close to public transport, accommodations, and entertainment options in Civic.

The proposed site sits atop Archbishop's House at Regatta Place, a Commonwealth-owned property. The design draws inspiration from New Zealand's Te Kaha stadium in Christchurch, which opened in 2026 and can accommodate up to 36,000 spectators. The stadium, which cost approximately $531 million to build, including earthquake-resistant features, was highlighted as a successful example of how a city center stadium can enhance visitor experience and stimulate economic activity.

Stephen Byron, the CEO of Canberra Airport, expressed his belief that Canberra deserves a stadium worthy of pride, capable of uniting people, driving economic growth, and strengthening the city's core. Byron emphasized the importance of creating an outstanding experience for attendees, fostering local employment opportunities, and positioning Canberra to attract high-profile events that have previously bypassed the capital.

While Canberra Airport is open to collaborating on the project, it has no plans to assume ownership or maintain a financial stake in the stadium. The organization will work alongside various stakeholders, including businesses, government entities, sports organizations, and the community, to refine the concept through design, cost analysis, and an independent economic and social impact assessment.

The concept for the stadium has been brewing for some time, as the idea of a new stadium in Canberra's CBD has been a recurring topic of conversation in the nation's capital. In 2022, the federal election campaign briefly made the stadium a campaign issue, with then-Act Chief Minister Andrew Barr expressing initial support. However, subsequent developments, such as the site's constraints, led to a reassessment of the proposition.

Byron credited the alignment of favorable circumstances as the catalyst for the current proposal, noting that the group of individuals interested in Canberra's future was able to seize the opportunity when the Catholic Church, which owns Archbishop's House, began considering its future use. The Archbishop's residence, though not heritage-listed, would require approval from the Commonwealth before the lease could be transferred to a future entity responsible for the stadium's ownership and operation.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has previously dismissed Archbishop's House as an unsuitable and unavailable site for a major development, citing factors such as zoning, suitability, and availability. Archdiocesan Financial Administrator Helen Delahunty expressed openness to discussing the potential site's future, but emphasized that no decisions had been made at this stage.

As the project progresses, Byron acknowledged the importance of attracting private capital and securing the attention of the Australian government to ensure the success of the venture. Byron emphasized the role of the private sector in developing the design and cost estimation for the stadium, with the hope of creating a state-of-the-art facility that will contribute to Canberra's cultural, economic, and social landscape.