Toowoomba Takes the Reins for 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events

The equestrian world has something big to celebrate. With the announcement that Toowoomba Showgrounds will host equestrian events for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, excitement is building across the community, the sport and the region.

This is a massive win – not just for equestrian sport – but also for the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland (RASQ) and the Toowoomba community, which will soon welcome the world to its doorstep. The selection of Toowoomba Showgrounds marks a momentous milestone for Queensland and recognises the strategic value of this much-loved facility.

What makes the Toowoomba Showgrounds such a standout venue? It starts with scale, layout and location. Positioned on state government reserve land with space to breathe and room to grow, the Showgrounds offers a horse-welfare-friendly, logistically efficient, and fully self-contained Olympic venue that’s unlike anything else available in Queensland.

This isn’t just about hosting a world-class event. It’s about creating a meaningful legacy for generations of riders, officials, coaches and spectators. With permanent infrastructure improvements, this project will address a critical shortfall in Queensland’s equestrian facility network – a gap so stark that the 2024 National Interschool Championships had to be held in Tamworth, New South Wales.

The current lack of international-standard competition surfaces in Queensland has long forced athletes to travel extensively or even relocate interstate or overseas. That’s why this announcement is more than symbolic – it’s transformational.

And when it comes to Olympic-scale logistics, Toowoomba delivers again. With Wellcamp Airport just 15km away, the site offers unmatched potential for safe, streamlined horse transportation and on-site quarantine facilities – an absolute game-changer for international competition.

This upgrade isn’t just about equestrian sport – it’s about creating long-term economic and social benefits. With enhanced infrastructure, the venue can generate year-round revenue, attract major events, create jobs and support the ongoing renewal of the Showgrounds for decades to come.

CPR Group is proud to have played a part in this journey.

We developed the Business Case for the Toowoomba Showgrounds Equestrian Centre of Excellence, which underpinned the bid for the Games venue. Our team has also contributed strategic insights to countless equestrian planning projects across Queensland, including Equestrian Queensland’s Statewide Facilities Plan and regional projects for Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Townsville.

We believe in the power of planning to shape a stronger future for sport – and we’re thrilled to see Toowoomba take centre stage on the global stage. As Queensland prepares for 2032, we look forward to seeing this opportunity evolve into a lasting legacy.