Cost of Queensland AFL grand final to remain a secret
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has called the handing of the AFL grand final to the northern state a "historic day" as the game heads outside Victoria and into a night time-slot for the first time in its history.
Just how much it cost Queensland taxpayers to secure the event will remain a secret, with Ms Palaszczuk citing "commercial-in-confidence" reasons.
"This happens for a whole range of events," she said.
"We were not in a bidding competition, this was about who could work the best with the AFL to deliver, not just the grand final, but a lasting legacy."
A total of 30,000 fans will be allowed into the Gabba stadium under COVID-safe plans.
Under the agreement with the Queensland government, the capacity could be reduced — or the game shifted to the Adelaide Oval — in the event of a coronavirus outbreak in the northern state.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk watches AFL boss Gillon McLachlan announce that the grand final will be held in Brisbane.Credit:Lydia Lynch
"Of course this is a very historic day. It's an historic day for the AFL but it's a historic day for Queensland as well," Ms Palaszczuk said, following the announcement from AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan.
"Rather than marking the end of a difficult year, I hope it marks the beginning of a whole new era," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so we are determined to give everyone a grand final they will never forget."