UFC 333: Volkanovski v Evloev | SUN 25 OCTOBER 5AM AEDT | The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi where Aussie superstar Alex Volkanovski is seeking his 7th successful title defence in a highly anticipated match up against the undefeated Movsar Evloev. | Order now on Kayo Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n The roofed Kiwi venue holds up to 30,000 fans for sporting events including rugby league, union and football, along with holding up to 37,000 fans for other events like concerts.<\/p>\n It cost around $531 million to build, including earthquake-proofing which was required given it replaced Lancaster Park which was damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.<\/p>\n Replacing Canberra\u2019s existing 48-year-old GIO Stadium, which houses the NRL\u2019s Raiders and Super Rugby\u2019s Brumbies, has been discussed for years due to its ageing condition and location 15 minutes out of the city centre in suburban Bruce.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel sorry for those people there with the stench, it\u2019s s**t. I know people laugh about it but we are the capital of Australia,\u201d Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said in a 2024 rant about the state of the venue, in which fans had to deal with a \u201cpungent aroma\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThe stadium administration are wonderful people, they accommodate us so well. They and Canberra deserve a new stadium.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s absolutely crap they don\u2019t build a stadium to look after Canberra\u2019s people.\u201d<\/p>\n Finding a location has proven difficult but the newly-proposed venue on the north shore of Lake Burley Griffin would take advantage of land now potentially available at Regatta Place, including a portion currently leased to the Catholic Church for the Catholic Archbishop\u2019s house.<\/p>\n It would also be built next to the next stage of light rail already being constructed.<\/p>\n A render of the Canberra stadium.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n A consortium of business people has proposed the venue, saying it could be finished by 2030, though they does not want to build or own the stadium; instead either a private company or a government venture, at either federal or territory level (or both), would need to develop it.<\/p>\n Australian rules and cricket currently use Manuka Oval, which is in better condition than GIO Stadium, but would likely need to be redeveloped and\/or expanded if an AFL or Big Bash League expansion team were granted to Canberra<\/a>.<\/p>\n Currently the AFL\u2019s GWS Giants and BBL\u2019s Sydney Thunder each use Manuka Oval as their second home venue playing a handful of games in Canberra each year.<\/p>\n The Giants frequently draw bigger crowds in Canberra than their home at Sydney Olympic Park and also use the ACT and surrounding region as a recruiting base.<\/p>\n This week the ACT Chief Minister said he believes adding more content by expanding the playing surface from purely rectangular, and allowing the oval codes to use the new venue, would be worth considering.<\/p>\n Andrew Barr told ABC Radio the stadium would need to hold 30,000 seats and \u201cI think they should also consider its configuration to allow it to host cricket and AFL. That would give another 12 events a year at least.\u201d<\/p>\n Critics say that plan would negatively impact the fan experience for league, union and football fans pointing to the likes of Melbourne\u2019s Marvel Stadium – which is oval-shaped but infrequently adds extra seats on the wings to create a rectangular playing surface.<\/p>\n Trent Boult returns to BBL with Thunder | 00:24<\/p>\n Cricket ACT chairman Greg Boorer is, perhaps surprisingly, a critic saying the stadium would be better off remaining rectangular.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1792575137_191_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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