BRISBANE, 3 December, 2024: The Gabba Test between Australia and India (the third after Perth and Adelaide) from 14-18 December, 2024, will be laced with Bollywood entertainment on the first two days with a festival outside the stadium.  

The India cricket team is touring Australia from November 2024 to January 2025 to play five Test matches and three first-class warm-up matches against the Australia cricket team.

For the third Test, Gabba precinct will transform into a hub of culture and cricket fever with Gabba Summer Fest, a new fan festival on December 14-15 across the first two days of the Test, Gabba Summer Fest will be free and open to the public in Woolloongabba Place Park outside Gate 2. The Indian inspired festival will create a vibrant supporter site with music, food and a big screen to watch all the action from the ground, offering the perfect mix of cricket, culture and community.

Key features of the festival include:

• Entertainment: Bollywood dance performances, live music from local band, and interactive experiences including henna art and turban-tying.

• Viewing Lounge: A casual seating area complete with beanbags and a live screen to enjoy every moment of the match.

• Food Trucks: Serving authentic Indian cuisine and fan favorites.

The festival is made possible through the support of Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) and the Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), showcasing Brisbane as a premier destination for world-class events.

Gabba Summer Fest offers cricket fans the opportunity to immerse themselves in the shared love of cricket and culture, adding to one of the most anticipated fixtures of the Brisbane summer.

Cricket Australia Executive General Manager, Events & Operations Joel Morrison said, “The NRMA Insurance Border-Gavaskar Test at the Gabba is more than just a cricket match; it’s a celebration of the incredible connection between Australia and India. Gabba Summer Fest enhances this iconic event by offering fans a unique blend of world-class cricket and the vibrant spirit of Indian culture.

“The excitement for this iconic Test is reflected in the strong ticket sales, and with today’s announcement of the fan festival, we are expecting an even greater buzz around the Gabba as fans come together to celebrate in a special way.

“We are grateful to Tourism and Events Queensland and the Brisbane Economic Development Agency for their support in bringing this exciting initiative to life.”

Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation, Andrew Powell, said, “We’re in for an exciting blend of culture and true sportsmanship with the NRMA Insurance Border-Gavaskar Test at the Gabba, this match is definitely not one to miss.

“Culture, community and cricket collide with this incredible two-day Bollywood inspired festival, Gabba Summer Fest, and you don’t need to hold a ticket to the match to attend. It’s completely free and sure to draw an excited crowd who will immerse themselves in music and food, all while watching the match on the big screen.

“We’re expecting tens of thousands of fans to flock to Brisbane for this huge event, which will inject an anticipated $3 million into the local economy. Whether fans are heading along to watch the game from inside the stadium or immersing themselves in the culture of India outside at Gabba Summer Fest, they’re in for a real treat. There’s also up to 50 million people in India that we’re expecting to tune in to the broadcast of this exciting match, giving Queensland, in partnership with Tourism Australia, the perfect opportunity to showcase our world-class events and destinations to one of the largest international markets.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner said, “Brisbane is Australia’s lifestyle capital and we’re excited to host more world-class events that create even more to see and do in our city.

“This December, cricket fans are in for an action-packed schedule of excitement on and off the pitch.

“We know visitors will be bowled over by our city’s fantastic lifestyle precincts and unique tourism offerings, further boosting local businesses and supporting local jobs.”

Tickets to the NRMA Insurance  at the Gabba start from just $30 for adults and $10 for kids, available at cricket.com.au/tickets.