Aerial shot of UQ's Sport and Recreation precinct

UQ Sport and Recreation Precinct

Queensland’s largest multi-sport precinct integrating world-leading facilities, education and research.

The space to train and play

UQ’s Sport and Recreation Precinct spans more than 35 hectares in the northeast quadrant of the St Lucia campus.

More than 3,200 students, 35 sporting and college clubs, and dozens of community and school groups use the Precinct’s facilities each week. The Precinct is also extensively used as a training base for many of our State’s elite athletes and supports UQ’s teaching and research in sports and health innovation.

UQ is committed to supporting Queensland’s sporting community by catering for athletes of all levels and abilities and investing in legacy assets and sport innovation in the lead-up to 2032 and beyond.

Sporting facilities

The Precinct features an athletics centre with track and field facilities; an aquatic centre with 3 heated pools; all-weather natural and synthetic playing fields; indoor and outdoor courts for basketball, volleyball and netball; and a gymnasium.

Visiting sporting codes and teams can also access specialist support, facilities and services including health clinics and high-performance coaching. There are also convenient accommodation options nearby.

For more than 100 years, UQ Sport has led sport and recreation at the University by supporting athletes of all levels and abilities, encouraging physical activity, and promoting benefits of a healthy lifestyle to students, staff and the community. UQ Sport invests all profits back into services, facilities and programs for the UQ community. Visit UQ Sport for more information.

Aquatic Centre

The Aquatic Centre has 3 heated pools, including a 9-lane 50m swimming pool, a 25m pool and a shallow pool to cater for squads, club training and learn-to-swim lessons. Qualified coaches train all levels, including State and National Squads.

Athletics Centre

Centred around an 400m 8-lane synthetic track certified by World Athletics, the Athletics Centre caters for all sprint and middle distances, relays, 110m and 400m hurdles, long and triple jump, shot put, discus and javelin and features a 560-seat grandstand and function space.

Brisbane River access

Four female rowers one the Brisbane River

The Precinct is conveniently located alongside the Brisbane River and offers facilities and equipment that are regularly used for sports, including rowing and canoeing.

Fitness Centre

The Precinct includes a 3-level fitness facility with a fully equipped gymnasium for cardio, strength training and group fitness classes, and indoor squash, badminton and basketball courts.

Close-up of line markings on an indoor wooden playing court floor

The UQ Centre hosts a variety of events, with a seating capacity of 1100. The Centre can accommodate indoor basketball, netball, volleyball, futsal, handball, badminton and table tennis.

Outdoor fields and courts

The Precinct has 9 outdoor playing fields for rugby, AFL, cricket and hockey, including 2 international-standard artificial fields. There are also 3 outdoor flexi-paved netball courts, 3 outdoor sand volleyball courts, 4 outdoor concrete multi-purpose courts and a 3x3 basketball court.

Woman and child in UQ's community garden

The Precinct includes free and accessible BBQ areas, playgrounds for all abilities, outdoor exercise equipment, and community gardens, and it hosts weekly parkrun events.

Tennis Centre

The Tennis Centre includes 21 full-size courts, including 2 synthetic grass courts, with competition standard surfacing and lighting, and 2 pickleball courts.

Facts and figures

Future investment

Through ongoing investment, UQ will ensure the Precinct supports growing demand and delivers facilities that can be used by athletes of all abilities for many years to come.

A new centre will be built within the Precinct, which will include cutting-edge strength and conditioning equipment and access to personal trainers, assessments, and programs. The new gym will be fully accessible and offer specialist equipment, classes, and training for people of all abilities.

Trainer helping paralympic athlete in pool

In partnership with the Queensland Government, UQ will establish a facility for people with disabilities to access sporting programs and para-athletes to train for competitions.

UQ is currently undertaking refurbishment works to maximise the sport events that can be held in the Centre. These works are due to be finished in early 2025.

Sporting leadership

Exercise Science and Physiology Laboratories integrate cutting edge diagnostic equipment with some of the brightest minds in sports performance to help athletes achieve their best. Contact Exercise and Physiology Laboratories for details.

The University is endorsed by the Australian Institute of Sport as part of the Elite Athlete Education Network to support elite athletes for the duration of their course study. Support includes UQ Sporting Scholarships and the UQ Sport Elite Athlete Program.

Office of 2032 Games Engagement

The Office of 2032 Games Engagement (OGE) is our central coordination office for UQ's Olympic and Paralympic activity and partnerships. The OGE is led by Executive Director Professor Bruce Abernethy AM. Contact the OGE to find out more about UQ's 2032 Games Engagement.

Olympic and Paralympic Stars Awarded Sporting Scholarships