Drawing Brisbane Together

Populous’ designers and event planners have transformed cities, putting them on the global map through sport and entertainment facilities designed for Summer and Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Brisbane based Senior Principal, Global Director & Co-Founder

Paul Henry

"Populous has the most consistently experienced international team of designers. Our APAC headquarters in Brisbane has been a Populous global talent base for 27 years. As an Aussie, leading the Sydney Olympic Stadium design, The DNA of that venue has influenced many of our global projects. But as a Queenslander - growing up in Brisbane - nothing can compare to having the world's greatest sporting event in your backyard - It enables us to think about the long term legacy possible for Brisbane"

Learn more about Paul

Brisbane is our proud APAC Headquaters since 1998
Cathy Freeman and Raelene Boyle visit Populous as part of Design Week 2025.

Our Olympic and Paralympic venues leave a legacy that endures, making them sustainable hubs that promote economic growth and community development.

From Sydney to Sochi and Paris to Beijing, Populous designers and event planners help set the stage for summer and winter Olympic Games.

Olympic and Paralympic requirements for athletes, spectators, media and government or event officials are distinct from any other major event. We not only help design the event itself, but the venues that host the action, resulting in an unparalleled Olympic Games pedigree.

This wealth of knowledge is unmatched.

Hear more from the team.

Drawing Brisbane Together - Community Focused

Drawing Brisbane Together - Brighton Homes Arena

Drawing Brisbane Together - Our Brisbane Talent

Towards The Games - Paul Henry (via Spotify)

Brisbane Lions Brighton Homes Arena
Queensland Tennis Centre

Our local team working globally

If it takes teamwork to make the Olympic dream work, then it requires a whole city to bring that dream to life. Populous’ local and global specialist events teams have partnered with cities across the world to ensure the seamless planning and overlay design of every Summer Olympic and Paralympics since Atlanta 1996. But, looking to the future, what is so special is that it has been many of our Brisbane-based architects who have led the main stadium designs for Olympic and Paralympic Games, including Sydney 2000, London 2012, Sochi 2014 Winter Games alongside significant venues including The 2014 Youth Olympics and Narendra Modi Stadium.

Designing unforgettable moments

Our Legacy & Impact

Having been involved in 15 Summer and Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games since 1996, Populous celebrates the architects, planners and designers from our team who continue to grow our Olympic legacy and provide the platform for the next generation from elite athletes to local sporting clubs.

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Olympic & Paralympic Venues

Accor Stadium

1999

National Speed Skating Oval

2021

Tokyo 2020 Olympic & Paralympic Summer Games

2020

Beijing 2008 Olympic & Paralympic Summer Games

2008

London 2012 Olympic Stadium

2011

London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Summer Games

2012

Paris 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Summer Games

2024

Rio 2016 Olympic & Paralympic Summer Games

2016

Fisht Stadium and Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic & Paralympic Games

2014

Iconic Global Venues

Brisbane, Australia 2003 Suncorp Stadium
Brisbane, Queensland 2019 The Gabba Upgrades
Springfield Central, Australia 2022 Brisbane Lions Brighton Homes Arena
Geelong, Australia 2024 GMHBA Stadium
Sydney, Australia 2023 Sydney Swans HQ
Brisbane, Australia 2017 Brisbane Broncos Training, Administration and Community Facility
Townsville, Australia 2021 North Queensland Cowboy's Hutchinson Builders Centre
Brisbane, Australia 2009 Queensland Tennis Centre
Sydney, Australia 2019 CommBank Stadium
Melbourne, Australia 2005 Melbourne Cricket Ground
Sydney, Australia 2016 ICC Sydney
Coffs Harbour, Australia 2022 Wiigulga Sports Complex
Melbourne, Australia 2023 The Home of the Matildas
Penrith, Australia TBC Penrith Stadium
Kowloon, Hong Kong 2025 Kai Tak Sports Park
Macau, China 2024 The Venetian Arena
Beijing, China 2021 National Speed Skating Oval
Ahmedabad, India 2020 Narendra Modi Stadium
Christchurch, New Zealand 2026 One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha
Tokyo, Japan TBC New Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Stadium
Ahmedabad, India TBC Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave
Selangor, Malaysia TBC Shah Alam Sports Complex
Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia TBC Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium
Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia TBC Aramco Stadium

Our Brisbane team, together with the APAC region, is proud to be integeral to Populous delivering iconic venues across the globe, from Kai Tak Sports Park, Tottenham Stadium to the Las Vegas Sphere.

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Olympic Learnings

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, 10 Years On

25 years of designing Olympic events: A curated collection of behind-the-scenes sketches

The stadium bowl is the glue pot that creates sticky 24/7 precincts in the heat of live entertainment

A China Memory Inspires an Olympic Icon

The ‘Ice Ribbon’ Lights Up the Olympic Skyline in Beijing

Bankwest Stadium: Uniquely designed for the ultimate fan experience

A Modern-Day Legacy

Delivering World Class Projects by our APAC team

Our 250-strong APAC team, led from our Brisbane head studio, is delivering some of the world’s most complex and innovative sport and entertainment projects. Our team includes design leaders with direct Olympic and major event experience.

Explore Our Projects

Established

Brisbane is our proud APAC Headquarters since 1998
Our Team

We celebrate over 100 expert Architects and designers in Brisbane
Come Say Hi

Collin House, 469 Adelaide Street, Brisbane Queensland 4000