GIO Stadium has reached a point where its condition is no longer acceptable for players, supporters, visiting fans, or the broader Australian sporting community. Fans are turning away because the facilities are outdated, uncomfortable, and deteriorating. Sport is one of the few things that reliably brings people together — yet our main stadium is decades behind every other capital city in Australia.

This is the home of the Canberra Raiders and ACT Brumbies, two elite teams that represent the ACT on the national and international stage. Their professionalism and success stand in stark contrast to the ageing, neglected venue they are forced to play in. Canberra’s teams deserve better — and so do the people who support them, whether they live here or travel from interstate.

Harsh conditions and poor accessibility

Canberra fans already endure some of the harshest conditions in Australian sport. Winter games regularly plunge into freezing temperatures, with wind chill making the experience even more brutal. Families, older Canberrans, people with disabilities, and visiting supporters all struggle with steep ramps, outdated seating, and limited accessible facilities. Supporters still show up — not because the stadium is good, but because the community is loyal. That loyalty should not be taken for granted.

Sport, mental health, and community connection

Sport is one of the strongest protective factors for mental health. Attending games helps people feel connected, reduces loneliness, and provides a sense of belonging that is increasingly important in a time of rising social isolation.

But many people are choosing not to attend games at GIO Stadium because the environment is too cold, uncomfortable, or inaccessible. When a venue discourages attendance, it limits opportunities for social connection and weakens the community’s long‑term relationship with sport. A modern stadium is not just infrastructure — it is an investment in community wellbeing.

Safety failures now on national display

During the Bulldogs–Raiders match on 19 March 2026, Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo suffered a hand injury after a coaches’ box window shattered — a safety failure that should never occur in professional sport. National media outlets reported the incident within hours, shining a spotlight on a venue that has been allowed to fall into disrepair.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart publicly expressed his frustration, saying the people with the power to fix the stadium “don’t give a shit.” Senator David Pocock has repeatedly raised concerns about the long-term neglect of major ACT sporting infrastructure. These are respected voices calling out a problem that has been ignored for far too long.

A national capital with sub‑standard infrastructure

This is not just a Canberra issue. As the capital city of Australia, Canberra should set a standard for national sporting infrastructure. Instead, GIO Stadium has become a symbol of neglect — a venue that reflects poorly on the ACT and on Australia as a sporting nation.

Canberra is now the only Australian capital without a modern, purpose‑built rectangular stadium. That is unacceptable.

Visiting fans, travelling teams, and national sporting bodies all expect — and deserve — facilities that meet modern professional standards. Right now, GIO Stadium fails that test.

Jobs, economic growth, and lost opportunities

A modern stadium would deliver major economic benefits. A redevelopment of this scale would create hundreds of construction and trade jobs, support local businesses, and provide ongoing employment in events, hospitality, and operations.