Gabba Ruled Out As Live Site For Matildas Semi-Final Match

The Queensland State Government has refused to open the Gabba as a live site for the Matildas semi-final clash against France on Wednesday night.

Fans in Brisbane will have to make do with an expanded South bank live site and big screens being switched on at King George Square instead of the stadium which could host up to 40,000 fans.

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Sports Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe blamed “public transport implications” for the decision, saying it was too big of a challenge.

“It has been investigated … we’ve had to consider things around the public transport implications for those spaces (and) we felt that it was the right measure to support the (South Bank) live site that people have known and have loved,” he said.

Suncorp Stadium is out of the question to host fans as its locked in to host the third-place match on Saturday.

Across the state, the Gold Coast has established a live site at the end of Cavill Mall at Surfers Paradise.

Sunshine Coast Stadium will also open its gates for fans from 7pm, with food and drinks also available.

Former Socceroo John Kosmina told the Courier Mail as many venues as possible should open across Brisbane.

“We need to support the fan-fest concept of people getting together and being able to celebrate, you can’t do that in front of a television set,” he said.

“Open up as many venues as possible for people to celebrate … they could open up Suncorp Stadium and get both screens running … people should be able to dance and jump up and down and mingle and they need to do it in a hurry.”

Live sites across the country

Sydney: Western Sydney Stadium in Parramatta and Sydney Football Stadium in Moore Park will be open for fans. This is in addition to the FIFA Fan Festival at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour.

Melbourne: AAMI park will open to host approximately 30,000 fans. Federation Square is also expected to be packed with fans once again.

Adelaide: Memorial Drive tennis stadium will broadcast the match. The FIFA Fan Festival at Festival Plaza will also broadcast the game.

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