As plans for the proposed Brisbane Stadium at Victoria Park take shape, one question has sparked lively discussion within the cricket and stadium design communities: should the venue feature drop-in wickets or permanent turf pitches?

While it might sound like an insider debate, this decision carries real implications for athletes, curators, venue operators and the future flexibility of one of Queensland’s most important sporting venues. The Brisbane Stadium is earmarked for use during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, while the Gabba will remain operational through the Games before being demolished as part of the Woolloongabba Priority Development Area redevelopment.

So, what is really at stake and why does this decision matter?

What Are Drop-In Wickets?

Put simply, drop-in wickets are portable cricket pitches. They are prepared off-site in large trays under tightly controlled conditions, then transported into the stadium and installed when required. Once the match is complete, they can be removed and replaced with turf to suit other sports and events.

Permanent wickets, by contrast, are built directly into the ground profile and remain in place year-round. Each approach has its place, but in modern multi-use stadia, drop-in systems have become the standard across much of Australia and internationally.

Drop-in wicket trays at Optus Stadium before clay consolidation

First-Hand Experience from Australia’s Major Stadia

At SPORTENG, we have had the rare opportunity to be involved directly in the design and performance outcomes of some of Australia’s most significant drop-in wicket projects.

Our team led the Field of Play design for Optus Stadium in Perth, including the drop-in wicket system, and also worked on the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval. Across these projects, we worked closely with Australia’s leading curators, including Tony Ware at the MCG, Les Burdett and Damian Hough at Adelaide Oval. Together we assessed clay types, tray construction, footing systems and long-term performance behaviour in detail.

The introduction of drop-in wickets at Adelaide Oval was, at the time, a highly contentious issue. It became one of the central topics of debate when South Australian Cricket Association members voted on the stadium’s redevelopment. The project ultimately received the required 75% approval, and today the results speak for themselves. The drop-in wickets at Adelaide Oval have delivered performance outcomes that many now regard as superior to the previous permanent surfaces.

Drop-in wicket at Adelaide Oval being moved into place from the nursery

Performance at Optus Stadium and the WACA Comparison

In Western Australia, there was understandable concern about whether drop-in wickets could replicate the famous pace and bounce of the WACA surface. The WACA wickets were known for their responsiveness and for the highly reactive local clays that produced dramatic cracking late in test matches.

For Optus Stadium, extensive material testing was undertaken to identify a clay product capable of reproducing those same performance characteristics. When the first test match was played at Optus Stadium in January 2018, all eyes were on that very first delivery. Would the ball carry and bounce as expected?

The answer was clear. The opening ball from Mitchell Starc rose sharply into Tim Paine’s gloves at shoulder height. The drop-in wickets delivered exactly what players and spectators had hoped for.

Since opening, Australia has won four of its first five test matches at Optus Stadium. In the decade prior at the WACA, Australia recorded five wins from twelve tests. While many factors influence match outcomes, the data highlights that the transition to drop-in wickets has not compromised performance in Western Australia.

First ball bowled at Optus Stadium

A Proven Global Technology

Drop-in wicket technology is no longer unique to a handful of elite stadiums. These systems are now being installed worldwide, from New Zealand through to North America, with each project adding to the industry’s collective knowledge.

Proposed major venues such as Macquarie Point Stadium in Hobart are also adopting drop-in systems. In contrast, only a small number of traditional venues, including the SCG and the Gabba, still operate with permanent wickets today.

Drop-in wickets being installed at the Oakland Coliseum in the USA

Why Drop-In Wickets Deliver Operational Advantage

From a stadium operations perspective, the benefits of drop-in wickets are substantial. They allow venues to transition seamlessly between sporting codes and event types without compromising surface quality or safety.

Drop-in systems enable venues to:
• Shift efficiently between AFL and cricket seasons
• Host large-scale concerts on full turf surfaces
• Convert from cricket to soccer mid-week and back again
• Protect high-value playing surfaces from non-sporting loads

This level of flexibility is extremely difficult to achieve with permanent wickets and has become essential for modern multi-use stadium business models.

Our View on Brisbane’s Future Wicket System

Today, the industry has a far deeper understanding of how to design, construct and curate world-class drop-in wickets than it did a decade ago. When designed correctly and managed by experienced curators, drop-in wickets can replicate the performance of permanent wickets to a level indistinguishable to players.

Any minor differences that may still exist are more than offset by the operational, commercial and scheduling flexibility these systems provide.

From a whole-of-life asset and venue management perspective, drop-in wickets represent the most adaptable and future-ready solution for the proposed Brisbane Stadium at Victoria Park. As Brisbane prepares for 2032 and beyond, flexibility will be just as critical as performance.

Have questions about drop-in wicket design or stadium flexibility? Contact SPORTENG for technical advice.