The RSF Management Committee is appalled at the unilateral decision by Suncorp Stadium Management to downgrade the transport arrangements to Suncorp Stadium on game days.
This action on the part of Suncorp to downgrading services to just a shuttle bus from
King George Square to the Stadium breaches the practice of many years of providing free public transport from suburban bus stops and train stations for events at Suncorp Stadium.
RSF Members have been vocal in their criticism, and many Roar Fans have pointed out that this will cause them considerable inconvenience and indeed may be the difference between getting to the game to see their team play and not getting there at all.
As soon as the news broke, I made enquiries and expressed in the strongest terms the RSF’s concern on behalf of Supporters. From those enquiries I now understand the following to be the case:
As part of its hiring of Suncorp Stadium Brisbane Roar Football Club (BRFC) is required to pay Suncorp an extra charge to provide for “free” transport to the Stadium.
This charge is based upon the number of attendees at the match and not the number who actually use the transport. Consequently, the Club pays for people who may never utilise it.
Suncorp arranges the transport and the BRFC has no say in those arrangements. The Club simply pays Suncorp.
The public transport fee for the 2025/2026 Season has been increased. Despite this Suncorp have seen fit to hugely reduce the public transport service for Supporters.
BRFC was only given very late notice of this and had no opportunity to
factor this decision into its matchday planning or to make other arrangements.
Stadium Management’s explanation seems to be that there are not enough Supporters attending the games to make it worthwhile for Stadium Management to arrange public transport as is done for every other event, yet Stadium Management still holds its hand out for an increased payment from the Club even for people who have no need to use it. The RSF understands that Stadium Management have promised to review the situation when attendances increase but that is yet to be confirmed.
It unacceptable that Suncorp Stadium Management are making the decision to downgrade the public transport service for football fans while increasing the amount they are charging the Roar for this reduced service.
On behalf of Roar Supporters and Football Fans generally, the RSF roundly condemns this last minute decision and notification by Stadium Management, and the RSF will express that directly to them.
As previously mentioned in its previous posts on Social Media, the RSF urges all its Members and other Supporters to:
Let your concern and disappointment be known directly to Suncorp Stadium Management and also on the Suncorp Stadium social media pages.
Contact the State Government Minister for Sport the Hon Tim Mander MP and tell him how you feel
Contact your Local Member and ask them to raise the issue for you.
The RSF acknowledges that the Club Management is in a delicate situation with Suncorp Stadium Management because for the most part Suncorp Stadium is the only “suitable” stadium for A-League in Brisbane and so it has very little leverage. Consequently the RSF urges the Club and its owners to ramp up their efforts to find/build a home stadium for the Club so that Our Beautiful Game can be accommodated and played in premises suitable for real Football in accordance with its customs and traditions.
Neil Ballment
President
The Roar Supporters Federation Inc.
14 October 2025