Barlow Park to get broadcast quality lighting

Barlow Park will be ready to host more NRL games sooner with the State Government committing $4 million towards broadcast quality lighting at the ground.

Having high-quality lights will help the Far North secure night-time NRL fixtures which are cooler for fans and players and also take the city to a wider national television audience.

Barlow Park hosted an NRL trial game in February 2022 between the North Queensland Cowboys and South Sydney.

The venue is one of the proposed venues to host Brisbane 2032 Olympic preliminary football matches and proposed Olympic funding will see the venue upgraded over the coming years, including more seating, security and additional facility upgrades for the Olympic football games.

The enhancements will also draw international athletics teams to Cairns for pre-Games training on the athletics track which is a valuable facility for uncovering talented athletes and giving them a place to hone their skills.

In partnership with Cairns Regional Council, the aim is to get the lighting upgrades underway as soon as possible so the NRL can play night-time fixtures in Cairns.