Queensland, the northeastern Australian state, is currently engaging with local and international stakeholders in Japan through its Gold Partnership with the Australia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.
A central and recurring theme in these discussions is the significant opportunity presented in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Having commenced its journey towards 2032, Queensland has entered a golden decade for investment, one characterized by world-class infrastructure projects, rapid population growth, and a pipeline of state-significant developments.
Queensland has a rejuvenated, future-focused roadmap that presents substantial opportunities for companies in Japan and around the globe to take part.
Brisbane 2032 has particularly accelerated a quiet revolution already underway in Queensland—one that positions the state as a global leader in SportsTech and wellness innovation.
With its world-class research institutions and a culture of sporting excellence, the host state for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is opening its doors to international partners to join a high-growth sector destined to shape the future of sport and human performance.
A thriving ecosystem primed for growth
Queensland’s SportsTech industry, currently valued at between AUD $150 million and $200 million, is on an upward trajectory. Fuelled by major infrastructure spending and strategic planning around the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the sector is expected to experience exponential growth in the next five to 10 years.
Unlike other investment destinations, Queensland offers more than promise—it delivers capability. From high-performance sports science to AI-driven coaching platforms and digitally enhanced athlete monitoring, Queensland is the breeding ground for cutting-edge innovations that are already redefining the global sports landscape.
Academic firepower driving commercial innovation
The University of Queensland (UQ), ranked Australia’s top university for sports and second in the world, houses the Centre for Olympic and Paralympic Studies — one of only two of its kind globally. It sits at the heart of an academic network that includes several Queensland institutions known for their expertise in biomechanics, performance psychology, wearable technology and sustainable sports infrastructure.
These institutions are not just producing research—they are actively commercialising it. A prime example is Vald, sports science technology used to measure physical performance deployed by elite sports teams across the world. Vald systems are used in 130 countries, providing insights into musculoskeletal and neural performance.
Emerging frontiers: Tech-driven wellness and performance
Queensland is at the forefront of developing sports innovations that intersect with broader health and wellbeing applications. Fields such as AI-assisted talent scouting, exoskeleton development for rehabilitation and training, and virtual and augmented reality platforms for immersive coaching are attracting serious investor interest.
The state is also making strides in sustainable infrastructure. Pioneering work is being done in modular and smart stadium construction, with a focus on zero-carbon and energy-efficient designs—an area where Japanese engineering and technology firms are poised to find natural alignment and opportunity.
With a mature sporting industry and a population increasingly focused on health, longevity, and tech-enabled lifestyles, Japan shares a cultural and commercial affinity with Queensland’s sports and wellbeing innovation agenda. Collaborative R&D, joint ventures, and strategic investment partnerships could unlock new product pipelines and accelerate time-to-market for emerging technologies.
Japan’s experience hosting the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and its leadership in robotics and AI presents a unique synergy. Queensland’s innovation pipeline and Japan’s manufacturing and commercial expertise could be a winning combination.
Queensland’s supportive government policies, thriving startup ecosystem, and access to Asia-Pacific markets make it an attractive destination for investment.
Through agencies like Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) and its network of offices around the globe, investors can tap into a curated portfolio of Queensland projects, research collaborations, and industry partnerships.
As the world moves into a new era of sport defined by technology, sustainability, and human-centric design, Queensland is not only ready to participate—it’s open for business and ready to lead.
At a time when many markets are becoming more inward-looking, Queensland is leaning into open, rules-based, trusted trade and investment.
Brisbane 2032 will be a Games of excellence, and just as importantly, a Games of impact. We extend an open invitation to our friends in Osaka, Japan, and countries around the world to collaborate in sport, business, innovation, and cultural exchange.
Tak Adachi serves as Queensland’s Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for North Asia, a position he has held since 2004. From Japan, one of the state’s largest export markets, he leads Queensland’s team there and oversees Commissioners in Taiwan and Korea.
Prior to his government service, Tak built a successful career in investment banking, notably as Director Global Markets at Deutsche Bank in both Japan and Australia and held senior roles at Macquarie Bank and Andersen Consulting (now Accenture).
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Featured image: Jesse Collins on Unsplash
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