Four construction contractors have reportedly been shortlisted to compete for delivery of Brisbane’s new National Aquatic Centre, creating the next major builder race within Queensland’s $7.1 billion Games venue program.

The shortlisted builders are expected to submit offers by the end of July 2026 before the field is reduced to two participants and a final contractor is selected in early 2027.

The contractor names have not been publicly confirmed, and businesses should avoid speculation until GIICA formally releases further procurement information.

Builder procurement moves alongside design

The Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority is running the builder and design processes in parallel to advance the National Aquatic Centre toward early works and construction.

GIICA has appointed ARM Architecture and NH Architecture, working with Queensland-based Arkhefield, as principal architects following a six-month design-selection process.

The design team will develop a concept inspired by the movement of wind and water, including a floating rippled roof, open central concourse and a multi-storey building integrated into the sloping Victoria Park landscape.

GIICA says the approach is intended to preserve surrounding parkland while allowing natural light, ventilation and greenery into the venue.

Three new covered competition pools

The current design includes three new covered competition pools together with supporting community and high-performance infrastructure.

Confirmed elements include:

• three new covered competition pools;
• a main and secondary aquatic arena;
• gym facilities;
• high-performance training rooms;
• administration and operational spaces;
• athlete, spectator and community amenities; and
• retention of the three existing outdoor pools within the heritage-listed Centenary Pool complex.

The National Aquatic Centre is planned to host swimming, Para swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

GIICA currently lists a Games capacity of up to 25,000 and a permanent legacy capacity of 8,000, with temporary seating used to expand the venue during the Games.

Potential contractor and supplier opportunities

The final construction scope will depend on ongoing design development and the selected builder’s delivery strategy, but a specialist aquatic venue of this scale could create opportunities across a wide range of work categories.

• demolition and enabling works;
• site establishment and temporary facilities;
• bulk earthworks and excavation;
• retaining walls and slope stabilisation;
• structural concrete and steel;
• aquatic structures and pool shells;
• pool filtration and water-treatment systems;
• specialist hydraulics and pipework;
• mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning;
• electrical distribution and lighting;
• fire detection and protection;
• ICT, communications and security systems;
• scoreboards, timing and audiovisual systems;
• roofing, façade and glazing;
• internal fit-out and finishes;
• high-performance sporting facilities;
• heritage protection and restoration;
• landscaping and public-realm works;
• temporary Games seating and overlays;
• testing and commissioning; and
• construction logistics and site services.

These categories are potential workstreams associated with the announced facility scope. They do not represent released subcontract packages unless GIICA or the future appointed contractor formally advertises them.

Businesses can follow similar opportunities through BBI’s coverage of Queensland construction projects, major projects and strategic infrastructure.

Heritage and site complexity

The new facility will be developed adjacent to the existing Centenary Pool at Spring Hill.

The design is intended to retain the heritage-listed outdoor pools and make the existing complex a central part of the completed facility.

Construction will also need to respond to the site’s sloping terrain, existing infrastructure, surrounding parkland and interfaces with the nearby Brisbane Stadium project.

These constraints are likely to require careful staging, temporary works, services coordination, heritage management, geotechnical engineering and construction-logistics planning.

Site possession begins in September

GIICA will take possession of Centenary Pool and surrounding areas from 1 September 2026.

Early works are expected to begin later in 2026, with main construction currently planned to commence in 2027 as design development continues.

This means the project is approaching a transition from procurement and design toward physical site preparation.

Builder identities remain confidential

Current reporting indicates that four contractors have been shortlisted to submit offers by the end of July.

The field is expected to be reduced to two before GIICA selects a final delivery contractor in early 2027.

However, the shortlisted companies have not been formally named publicly.

BBI will not speculate about their identities. Contractors and suppliers should monitor GIICA’s procurement portal and official project updates for any confirmed shortlist, ECI or supplier-engagement announcements.

BBI Project Watch assessment

The National Aquatic Centre has reached a commercially important stage because builder procurement is progressing at the same time as design development and preparations for site possession.

The opportunity is particularly significant for specialist aquatic, structural, hydraulic, mechanical and electrical contractors because the project combines three covered competition pools with high-performance sporting, spectator and community facilities.

The complexity of retaining Centenary Pool while delivering a major multi-storey venue could also create substantial work across heritage, temporary works, ground engineering, logistics and staging.

The next important milestone will be the reduction of the four-contractor field to two, followed by selection of the final builder in early 2027.

What contractors should watch next

• closure of the current invitation-to-offer stage;
• announcement of the two remaining builder participants;
• site possession on 1 September 2026;
• release of early works packages;
• appointment of the final delivery contractor;
• supplier-registration and subcontractor engagement;
• design-development updates; and
• construction commencement in 2027.

Which package will be the most difficult to resource for the National Aquatic Centre — aquatic systems, structural construction or complex building services?

Sources:

• GIICA — National Aquatic Centre design and project update
• GIICA — National Aquatic Centre project page
• ABC News — National Aquatic Centre design and site-possession update

Disclaimer: Bowen Basin Index provides project information based on publicly available sources at the date of publication. References to potential contractor, supplier or employment opportunities are general observations based on the announced project scope and do not represent confirmed tenders, contracts or engagement by the project authority or future appointed builder. Businesses should verify procurement information directly with GIICA or an authorised procurement platform.