Sport
12 October, 2026
Pride reveals ‘new’ ground
THE Northern Pride will move its home games to Stan Williams Park in 2027 while Barlow Park undergoes major redevelopment.
The club’s football programs will continue training at West Barlow Park, enabling Northern Pride to maintain its connection to the Barlow Park precinct during construction.
Access to Barlow Park Stadium will be temporarily restricted during the redevelopment, which will increase seating capacity from about 1700 to 5000.
Stan Williams Park at Manunda will serve as the Pride’s temporary home ground, with the newly-developed, purpose-built football facility hosting the club’s home games.
Northern Pride CEO Garreth Smith said the move would require significant planning but would also present an opportunity for the club.
“There is an enormous amount happening around the Northern Pride, and while moving from Barlow Park requires significant planning across the entire organisation, we see this as an exciting opportunity rather than simply a disruption,” he said.
“Stan Williams Park gives our players and supporters the opportunity to experience a new purpose-built rugby league facility and West Barlow provides an important training base for our football programs.
“Most importantly, these arrangements allow the Northern Pride to continue operating strongly while Barlow Park undergoes a transformation.”
The move will temporarily take Northern Pride away from its traditional Barlow Park home, allowing the club to continue training and playing in Cairns throughout the redevelopment.
The club will work with its partners, members, supporters and stakeholders over the coming months to prepare for the transition ahead of the 2027 season.
Northern Pride will release further information on its 2027 home fixtures, memberships, corporate hospitality, ticketing and game-day arrangements at Stan Williams Park as details are finalised.
