About

The upgrade forms part of Brisbane’s broader preparation for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, strengthening the city’s ability to host major national and international events well beyond 2032.

RNA Showgrounds Main Arena Upgrade

Project Leads

Sam Davidson Greg Atkinson Mario Youssef

Sector

Sports + Venues

Client

The Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA)

Location

Brisbane

Status

Ongoing

The RNA Main Arena has long been an iconic venue for the Ekka and a wide range of major events, but ageing infrastructure and accessibility limitations required a comprehensive renewal. The project brief seeks to preserve the arena’s cultural legacy while significantly improving safety, accessibility, capacity and operational performance for contemporary and future demands.

RCP is providing project management and programming services for the RNA Main Arena Upgrade, a major, multi‑year revitalisation of one of Queensland’s most significant cultural and event precincts. Valued at approximately $290 million, the project involves early works commencing in 2025, extensive heritage restoration, and the staged delivery of new permanent event infrastructure within the operational RNA Showgrounds. The upgrade includes the removal and replacement of the existing Machinery Hill grandstand, construction of a new permanent seating bowl, a new multi‑storey horse pavilion, and refurbishment of key heritage-listed assets surrounding the Main Arena.

Challenges and Constraints
The project is being delivered within a live event precinct that must continue operating throughout construction. Staging is critical, with works carefully sequenced around annual events, including provision for temporary seating during the 2027 Ekka. The project also involves complex heritage considerations, including the restoration of the Ernest Baynes and John Macdonald grandstands and heritage-listed horse stables along Gregory Terrace. Stakeholder management is extensive, encompassing the RNA, event operators, regulators, heritage authorities, and the broader community. Programme certainty is further challenged by a high-demand construction market and the need to coordinate interfaces with surrounding precinct infrastructure.

Delivery and Progress
RCP is leading procurement strategy, contract administration, stakeholder engagement and master programming across the life of the project. Early contractor involvement, competitive tendering and proactive market engagement are being applied to manage risk and secure delivery certainty. Major construction, including demolition of non-heritage sections of Machinery Hill, commenced following the 2026 Ekka, with early works and heritage refurbishments progressing in advance. RCP’s governance framework and agile delivery approach are being used to manage interfaces between new works, heritage assets and ongoing event operations.

Legacy and Impact
On completion, the RNA Main Arena Upgrade will deliver a safer, more inclusive and more capable venue, securing its role as a cornerstone of Queensland’s cultural identity. The project will enable the return of reimagined iconic venues such as the Cattleman’s Bar and Stockmen’s Bar and Grill, enhance the experience for competitors, spectators and staff, and position the RNA precinct as a world‑class events destination before and after the Brisbane 2032 Games.

The project showcases RCP’s capability to manage complex, high-profile upgrades within live, heritage‑sensitive environments while aligning delivery with long‑term legacy objectives.