Sport is an important part of the culture of the Australian state of Queensland. Many different sports are played in Queensland, whether recreationally, competitively, or professionally.
Australian rules football
Australian Football has a long history in Queensland. The first foray made by the then-VFL came in the form of the Brisbane Bears, who began playing Premiership matches in 1987. Despite some rocky times in the northern state, the game now appears to be entrenched within Queensland, thanks to a hat-trick of AFL Premiership wins from 2001 to 2003. The introduction of the Gold Coast Suns in 2011 highlights the game's growth in Queensland.
Basketball Basketball is a popular sport in Queensland, and offers an alternative to outdoor sport during rainy weather. Since the National Basketball League's inception in 1979, at least one team has been based in Queensland. Queensland has two current NBL teams:
Brisbane Bullets – based at Nissan Arena, Brisbane – founded in 1979 Cairns Taipans – based at the Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns – founded in 1999
Cricket
Cricket is popular in Queensland. Many domestic and international matches are held at the Gabba. The Queensland Bulls and the Brisbane Heat are based in Brisbane and represent Queensland in Australia's domestic cricket tournaments:
Sheffield Shield, 4-day matches with first-class status, since the 1926/27 season Marsh One-Day Cup, a one-day (50 over per side) tournament with List-A status, since its inception in 1969/70 Big Bash League, a 20 overs per side tournament, since its inception in 2011/12
Rugby league
Rugby league is the most spectated sport in Queensland. Queensland Rugby League has been in operation since 1908, creating strong roots in both city and regional communities. There are currently four teams in the National Rugby League competition, two of which have been part of the NRL since its inauguration in 1998:
Brisbane Broncos – based at Lang Park, Brisbane – founded in 1988 Gold Coast Titans – based at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast – founded in 2007 North Queensland Cowboys – based at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, – founded in 1995 Dolphins (NRL) – based at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe - founded in 2023
The other major rugby league team is the Queensland Maroons who play New South Wales Blues in the fiercely contested three game State of Origin competition. The Maroons have recently won their third straight Origin series, as well as their eleventh from the past twelve.
The other major state-based competition is the Queensland Cup.
Rugby union
Rugby Union is a major sport in Queensland with more than 55,000 registered players in 210 clubs and 235 schools across the state. The first games were played in 1876, and Queensland has been represented by the Queensland Reds since 1882, who currently compete in the Super Rugby competition.
In 2011, the Reds won the Super Rugby Championship in front of more than 52,000 fans. They repeated this feat in the 2021 Super Rugby AU Final.
Soccer The annual estimate for Adults 15+ participating in soccer was 1,086,094 (or 5.4% of the Adult 15+ population) and in children, 30% play the sport, second only to swimming in terms of participation.
Over 300,000 people are registered to play soccer with 308 clubs organised by Football Queensland. In 2023, the participation breakdown was 69.8% male and 30.2% female meaning more than 100,00 females play the sport
Soccer was first organised in the State in 1867 and today is represented professionally by Brisbane Roar in the men and women's A League, and semi-professionally there are 12 clubs in the Queensland National Premier League, and a further 50 or so clubs in the Queensland Premier League (QPL).
All 308 clubs are entitled to enter Australia's largest knock out competition, The Australia Cup, organised by Football Australia.
The State regularly hosts The Matildas and Socceroos.
Swimming Swimming is also a popular sport in Queensland, with a majority of Australian team members and international medalists hailing from the state. At the 2008 Summer Olympics, Queensland swimmers won all six of Australia's gold medals, all swimmers on Australia's three female (finals) relays teams were from Queensland, two of which won gold.
At the 2004 Summer Olympics, 2005 and 2007 World Long Course Swimming Championships, Australia won both the 4 × 100 m freestyle and medley relays. In five of these teams, three out of the four swimmers were from Queensland, and in the medley relay in 2007, all were from Queensland.
Triathlon Triathlon has been a popular sport in Queensland since the early 1980s with the state three times hosting the ITU World Championships in addition to: the Noosa Triathlon - the world's largest triathlon (also the country's longest-lasting event at the same venue), Mooloolaba Triathlon, Hervey Bay Triathlon and the Gold Coast Triathlon to name but a few.
Major events 1982 Commonwealth Games
Motto: The Friendly Games Nations participating: 46 Athletes participating: 1,583 Events: 141 events in 12 sports Dates: 30 September to 9 October Mascot: Matilda (Kangaroo)
1994 World Masters Games Motto: The Challenge Never Ends Nations participating 71 Athletes participating: 23,659 Events: 30 sports Dates: 26 September to 8 October
2001 Goodwill Games
Nations participating: 70 Athletes participating: 1,300 Events: 155 in 14 sports Dates: 29 August to 9 September
2018 Commonwealth Games
Motto: Share the Dream Nations participating: 71 Athletes participating: 4,426 Events: 275 in 18 sports Dates: 4 April to 15 April Mascot: Borobi (Koala)
2019 INAS Global Games
Nations participating: 50 Athletes participating: 814 Events: 11 sports Dates: 12 October to 19 October Mascot: Lori (Lorikeet)
Other events Birdsville Races - annual horse races at Birdsville which were first held in 1882. Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race Gold Coast Indy 300 - open-wheel motor race at the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit held between 1991 and 2008. Gold Coast 600 International Rally of Queensland Queensland 400 Quicksilver Pro and Roxy Pro State of Origin - Best of three rugby league games between New South Wales and Queensland which began in 1980. Annual Bledisloe Cup Rugby Union matches - Australia vs New Zealand 2020 AFL Grand Final
Queensland Sports Awards Each year the Queensland Sport Awards are held. The major award is the Sport Star of the Year: 1995 Susan O'Neill - Swimming 1996 Susan O'Neill - Swimming 1997 Michael Doohan - Motorcycling 1998 Michael Doohan - Motorcycling 1999 Loretta Harrop - Triathlon 2000 Susan O'Neill - Swimming 2001 Grant Hackett - Swimming 2002 Matthew Hayden - Cricket 2003 Patrick Johnson - Athletics 2004 Jodie Henry - Swimming 2005 Grant Hackett - Swimming 2006 Emma Snowsill - Triathlon 2007 Matthew Hayden - Cricket 2008 Stephanie Rice - Swimming 2009 Greg Inglis - Rugby league 2010 Stephanie Gilmore - Surfing 2011 Samantha Stosur - Tennis 2012 Sally Pearson - Athletics 2013 Adam Scott - Golf 2014 Mat Belcher - Sailing 2015 Jason Day - Golf 2016 Cate Campbell - Swimming 2017 Jeff Horn - Boxing 2018 Cate Campbell - Swimming 2019 Ashleigh Barty - Tennis 2021 Ashleigh Barty & Emma McKeon - Tennis & Swimming 2022 Cameron Smith - Golf 2023 Molly O'Callaghan - Swimming 2024 Kaylee McKeown - Swimming
Teams in national competitions Brisbane-based Club/TeamSportLeagueVenueEstablishedPremiershipsBrisbane BanditsBaseballAustralian Baseball LeagueHolloway Field19894Brisbane BroncosRugby leagueNational Rugby LeagueLang Park19886Brisbane BulletsBasketballNational Basketball LeagueNissan Arena19793Brisbane HeatCricketBig Bash League/Women's Big Bash LeagueThe Gabba20112Brisbane LightningIce hockeyAustralian Ice Hockey League/Australian Women's Ice Hockey LeagueIce World Boondall2006NillBrisbane LionsAustralian rules footballAustralian Football League/AFL Women'sThe Gabba19975Brisbane RoarFootball (soccer)A-League/W-LeagueLang Park20041/2Brisbane BlazeField hockeyHockey OneQueensland State Hockey Centre20191Queensland BullsCricketPura Cup/Ford Ranger CupThe Gabba189213Queensland FirebirdsNetballSuncorp Super NetballNissan Arena19973Queensland PiratesVolleyballAustralian Volleyball LeagueClayfield College Sports Centre19988Queensland RedsRugby unionSuper RugbyLang Park18824Queensland ThunderWater poloAustralian Water Polo LeagueThe Valley Pool20191Triple Eight Race EngineeringMotor racingSupercars ChampionshipQueensland Raceway20039
Outside Brisbane
ClubSportLeagueVenueEstablishedPremiershipsCairns TaipansBasketballNational Basketball LeagueCairns Convention Centre1999NilDick Johnson RacingMotorsportSupercars ChampionshipQueensland Raceway198010Gold Coast HawksBowlsAustralian Premier LeagueClub Helensvale2014NilGold Coast SunsAustralian rules footballAustralian Football LeagueCarrara Stadium2011NilGold Coast TitansRugby leagueNational Rugby LeagueRobina Stadium2007NilMoreton Bay PiratesBowlsAustralian Premier LeagueClub Pine Rivers20182018North Queensland CowboysRugby leagueNational Rugby LeagueNorth Queensland Stadium19951PremiAir RacingMotorsportSupercars ChampionshipQueensland Raceway2022NilSunshine Coast LightningNetballSuncorp Super NetballUSC Stadium20162Townsville FireBasketballWomen's National Basketball LeagueTownsville Entertainment Centre20015
Sporting Venues Brisbane VenueCapacityMain SportsAcacia Ridge Iceworld300Ice Hockey, Speed Skating, Figure SkatingAlbion Park Racecourse???Harness racing, Greyhound racingAllan Border Field 4,500CricketAuchenflower Stadium 2,000BasketballBallymore Stadium 24,000Rugby UnionIce World Boondall 300Ice Hockey, Speed Skating, Figure SkatingBrisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre 4,000Basketball, NetballThe Gabba 42,000Cricket, Aussie rules footballBrisbane Entertainment Centre 14,500Basketball, NetballBrisbane Exhibition Ground 25,500BaseballBrisbane International Speedway10,000Speedway motor racingBrisbane Aquatic Centre 4,300Swimming, DivingChandler Arena 2,700Basketball, NetballAnna Meares Velodrome 3,500CyclingDolphin Oval 15,000Rugby leagueDoomben Racecourse 22,000Horse racingEagle Farm Racecourse 43,000Horse racingHolloway Field 1,500BaseballJohn Murray Field 1,500BaseballLakeside Park 30,000MotorsportLang Park52,500Rugby league, Association Football (soccer), Rugby UnionLanglands Park 5,000Rugby leagueMick Doohan Raceway???Motorcycle speedway, MotocrossNorth Ipswich Reserve 10,000Rugby leaguePerry Park 10,000Association football (soccer)Queensland State Netball Centre 5,000Basketball, NetballQueensland Sport & Athletics Centre 49,000Rugby league, AthleticsQueensland State Equestrian Centre3,200 EquestrianQueensland State Hockey Centre500Field HockeySpencer Park10,000Association football (soccer)
Outside Brisbane