Brisbane will host four blockbuster games and five warmup matches when the International Cricket Council T20 men’s and women’s World Cups are held in Australia in 2020.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said 2020 would go down as the first time in history, both men’s and women’s T20 World Cups were held in the one location.
"One year, one country, two World Cups – this is a ground-breaking moment for Australian sport," she said.
"This is the best place in the world to play cricket. More visitors than ever before are looking for an excuse to come to Queensland - we’re confident we’ll regularly sell out the Gabba come 2020.
"The ICC T20 World Cup is cricket’s ultimate prize in the fastest growing format of the game. But with the integration of the women’s World Cup into the same year, we know this will be a particularly special tournament.
"For the first time ever cricket fans will be able to come to the Sunshine State and see the Southern Stars battle it out alongside the boys for T20 World Cup bragging rights.
"We invest in major events because they are crucial when it comes to supporting local tourism jobs.
"We expect more than 75,000 cricket fans to turn out for the T20 World Cup in Brisbane – generating $5 million for our economy."
Brisbane will host a preparation hub at Allan Border Field for six international teams in the leadup to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and four Super 12 matches at the Gabba as part of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2020.
Ms Jones said the Australian Women’s team would defend its T20 crown in the tournament which will comprise the 10 best teams playing 23 matches across six host cities from 21 February to 8 March 2020.
"Our women’s team will be itching to retain its title and Allan Border Field provides the perfect location for the team to ramp-up their preparations with a warm-up match against the West Indies on Saturday 15 February 2020," she said.
The festival of elite women’s cricket will continue that weekend with Allan Border Field set to host a historic double-header featuring India and Pakistan and two other teams, yet to qualify on Sunday 16 February.
These games will be followed by a warm-up match between India and the West Indies on Tuesday 18 February and Pakistan versus another qualifier on Thursday 20 February 2020.
Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni said the men’s competition would bring together the 16 best teams playing 45 matches across seven host Cities from 18 October to 15 November 2020.
"The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup can only be good for cricket in Queensland – it will inspire the next generation of cricketers at the grassroots level to set their goals of one day padding up in green and gold," he said.
"Hosting Australia’s men’s T20 team at the Gabba will also give Queenslanders a great opportunity to show their passion for the sport and really drive it home that the first Test of the 2019-20 summer belongs here in Brisbane … it’s rightful home."
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said hosting international teams from New Zealand and England during the men’s tournament was also a huge win for the state’s tourism sector.
"New Zealand is Queensland’s second largest international market with more than 485,000 kiwi tourists spending $579 million in the Sunshine State last year," she said.
"Forty-five per cent of these people visited Brisbane - making the River City the third-most popular destination in Australia for our closest neighbour."
The United Kingdom is the state’s third largest tourism market, with data showing 235,000 British visitors spent $422 million in Queensland last year.
Fifty-six per cent of these visitors came to Queensland’s capital, making Brisbane the fourth-most popular destination in Australia for visitors from the UK.
ICC T20 World Cup Local Organising Committee CEO Nick Hockley said he hoped the 2020 tournament left a lasting legacy for Queensland.
"We are so excited to be bringing T20 World Cup matches to Brisbane at Allan Border Field and the Gabba," he said.
"We look forward to welcoming passionate fans of all generations and cultures, who will travel from near and far to support their teams.
"Events of this scale are all about partnerships and we look forward to continuing to work with the Queensland Government, and all our valued partners in Queensland, to make sure that the T20 World Cup in 2020 is not only a spectacular celebration, but that it leaves a positive lasting impact in Queensland."
Queensland Cricket Chief Executive Officer Max Walters said hosting the T20 World Cups in 2020 would give cricket a great opportunity to engage fans.
"Having the world’s best players in Brisbane for two World Cups will provide cricket with a fantastic boost in 2020," he said.
"As we have seen throughout the Big Bash League, the Gabba possesses one of the great wickets for T20 cricket in Australia, so we are certain the games here will be exciting and entertaining.
"Our precinct at Allan Border Field is considered one of the premier cricket training and preparation facilities in the world, so it makes sense for us to host what will be a great festival of women’s cricket.
"The fact our champion Australian Women’s Team are defending their title will certainly add to the occasion and gives us a great opportunity to continue to grow the popularity of women’s cricket.
"Both tournaments have the potential to have a generational impact for cricket, and Queensland Cricket looks forward to working with the T20 World Cup Organising Committee, the Queensland Government, Tourism and Events Queensland and Cricket Australia to ensure we take advantage of the opportunity provided to us."
The Brisbane matches as part of the ICC T20 World Cups in 2020 are:
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 (warm-up matches at Allan Border Field, Albion)
Saturday 15 February 2020
- Australia vs West Indies
Sunday 16 February 2020
- Qualifier vs qualifier (TBC)
- India vs Pakistan
Tuesday 18 February 2020
- India vs West Indies
Thursday 20 February 2020
- Pakistan vs qualifier (TBC)
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 (The Gabba, Brisbane)
Saturday 31 October 2020
- Pakistan vs New Zealand
- Australia vs winner Group A (TBC)
Monday 2 November 2020
- New Zealand vs winner Group A (TBC)
Wednesday 4 November 2020
- England vs Afghanistan
Tickets for the Women’s warm-up matches will be $10 each, while all children’s tickets are free.
Fans are encouraged to register at www.T20WorldCup.com for priority access to Women’s tickets before they go on sale to the general public on 21 February 2019.
Ticket information, including prices, for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 will be announced later in 2019.
