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Look, if you’re planning your 2026 social calendar and haven’t pencilled in at least one trip to a Gabba game, are you even living in Brisbane?
Gabba stadium events are where sporting history happens, where summer nights turn electric, and where 42,000 people collectively lose their minds over a boundary or a goal.
So if Gabba games aren’t already locked into your 2026 game plan, fix that now. Because nothing else in Brisbane delivers atmosphere, nostalgia, and pure chaos quite like a night at the Gabba. Let’s get you sorted.
In This Blog
- What’s On at the Gabba in 2026?
- What Makes the Gabba a Top Brisbane Venue?
- Key Events at the Gabba in 2026
- How to Get to the Gabba
- Where to Eat and Drink Around Woolloongabba
- Where to Stay near the Gabba
What’s On at the Gabba in 2026?
The Gabba’s 2026 lineup is stacked. We’re talking cricket that’ll have you on the edge of your seat, AFL that’ll test your vocal cords, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you remember why live sport beats Netflix every single time.
Whether you’re a die-hard cricket tragic, an AFL fanatic, or just someone who enjoys a beer and some competitive action, the Gabba’s got your number. What’s On at the Gabba will keep you updated on all the events.
The beauty of this place? It’s not trying to be fancy. It’s just really, really good at what it does: putting on world-class sporting events in a stadium that somehow manages to feel intimate despite holding more people than some Brisbane suburbs.
What Makes the Gabba a Top Brisbane Venue?
First up: location. Woolloongabba isn’t just easy to get to (more on that later) but it’s actually in a precinct that’s come alive in recent years. You’re minutes from the CBD, surrounded by decent food, and in a neighbourhood that actually has character.
They’ve upgraded the hell out of it over the years, but it still feels like the Gabba. The 42,000-seat capacity means it’s big enough to create a proper atmosphere but not so massive you need binoculars from the cheap seats.
Accessibility is solid too. They’ve actually thought about people with mobility needs, wheelchair access is sorted across most levels, and accessible seating options mean everyone can get in on the action.
Good to know: Companion card holders get free entry for their support person, which frankly should be standard everywhere but isn’t.
Key Events at the Gabba in 2026
Alright, enough about the venue itself: let’s talk about what you’re actually going to witness there.
The Ashes Test Match
The Gabba just wrapped up its marquee Ashes Test match (December 4-8, 2025). If you missed the pink-ball drama under lights, don’t worry, there’s plenty more action coming in 2026, like Australia’s Women’s Team vs. India’s Women’s Team.
Women’s cricket has exploded in recent years. The crowds are growing, the quality is undeniable, and the Gabba knows how to put on a show for these games. If you’ve never been to a women’s international, this is your chance to see what the hype is about.
Gates open at 10:00am on Tuesday, February 24, with first ball expected around 10:30am, so take a sickie, book the day off, or work from the stadium (we won’t judge).
Brisbane Heat BBL Games
Summer cricket at the Gabba under lights is its own vibe. The Big Bash League turns cricket into a proper night out: think shorter format, bigger hits, and way more dramatic music cues.
The Heat is hosting Melbourne Stars on Friday, January 2, 2026. First Friday of the new year, still riding that holiday energy, perfect excuse to get out of the house. Then it’s Sydney Thunder on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
BBL crowds are different too. More families, more casual fans, more people who are there for the spectacle as much as the sport. It’s cricket without the stuffiness, and the Gabba does it well.
Brisbane Lions AFL Games
AFL season runs roughly March through September, and the Lions call the Gabba home. The fixture varies year to year, but you’re looking at around 10-11 home games throughout 2026.
Here’s the thing about AFL at the Gabba: it transforms the place. Cricket crowds are passionate, sure, but AFL crowds are intense. The roar when the Lions kick a goal; the collective groan when they don’t. It’s addictive.
Check the official Brisbane Lions fixture closer to the season, but pencil in a few Saturday afternoons. Even if you don’t follow AFL religiously, going to a game will convert you. Or at least make you understand why everyone else is so obsessed.
How to Get to the Gabba
Right, you’re sold on the events: now let’s make sure you actually get there. Here’s how to plan your visit to the Gabba.
Public Transport
This is where the Gabba really wins. Woolloongabba Station is right there: literally a five-minute walk. Jump on a train from the city (about 10 minutes), from the Gold Coast, or from pretty much anywhere on the southeast Queensland rail network, and you’re sorted.
Buses work too. Multiple routes run through or near Woolloongabba, including the 200 and 204 which stop basically at the stadium’s doorstep. On game days, they often put on extra services, so you’re not stuck waiting 30 minutes for a sardine can on wheels.
The real pro tip? If there’s a massive event on, the trains and buses get absolutely slammed after the match. Either leave five minutes early (controversial, we know) or factor in an extra 20 minutes of crowd management.
Set for completion in 2029, the Brisbane Cross-River Rail project will make access to the Gabba even easier from the CBD, northern and southern corridors, and key activity centres across South East Queensland.
Driving and Parking
Sure, you can drive. The Gabba’s at the corner of Vulture Street and Stanley Street, easy enough to find. But parking? Different story.
Street parking exists in theory but good luck on game day: you’ll be circling like a vulture (appropriate given the street name).
Stadium parking is limited and fills up fast. Your better bet is one of the nearby private car parks, but expect to pay $20-30 for the privilege.
You can also park at South/City/SQ, which offers a flat $49 rate for the whole game day. It’s located at 148 Logan Road, Woolloongabba, just 10 minute’s walk to the stadium.
Unless you’re coming from somewhere public transport doesn’t reach, or you’ve got mobility issues, it’s generally better to save yourself the stress and catch a train.
Where to Eat and Drink Around Woolloongabba
Woolloongabba’s eating scene has improved dramatically. You’re not stuck with stadium food anymore, though let’s be real, sometimes a $12 meat pie hits exactly right.
Pre-game, hit up Stanley Street or head slightly toward South Bank. You’ve got everything from quick Vietnamese at Viet De Lites to pub meals at the Boundary Hotel. The Burrow has solid burgers if you need something substantial before four hours of cricket.
Pre-game, South/City/SQ is an easy, reliable option just a short walk from the Gabba. You’ll find a solid mix of casual spots like Sasso for Italian, Nonna San for Japanese-Italian, Sue’s Burgers, and Little Red Dumpling. It’s a great nearby option for a relaxed pre-game meal, with plenty of variety and easy, shareable choices.
Post-match, you’ve got options too. Depending on which direction you head, you’re close to South Bank’s dining precinct or you can venture into West End (15-minute walk) where the food options multiply exponentially.
Where to Stay near the Gabba
If you’re visiting Brisbane for a Gabba event, Rambla has two apartment options that make the logistics easy: one right near the action, and one just a short walk away.
Rambla at Story House in Kangaroo Point is just 50 metres from the Gabba - you can even see parts of the pitch from the rooftop. You walk across to the game and head back at your leisure, with no transport, no parking stress and no planning required. The best part? On those hot summer test match days, you can always duck out for a dip in the pool between innings!
Rambla at South/City/SQ in Woolloongabba sits around 900 metres away and offers a more relaxed neighbourhood feel. You’re still an easy walk to the stadium, with the added benefit of dining, cafés and everyday convenience right around you.
Both locations offer modern, fully equipped apartments - giving you more space and flexibility than a standard hotel room.
Whether you’re here for a weekend cricket series or following the Lions all season, Rambla becomes your base for the wider Brisbane experience. The reality is simple: if the Gabba’s on your itinerary, Rambla is the place to stay. Book direct to secure your stay.
