The last NRL match to be played at 1300SMILES Stadium was on Thursday 29 August 2019 between the North Queensland Cowboys and Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs.

The first stage of development was funded by a combination of borrowings by the Joint Board, the Queensland Government grants and a considerable amount of community and business donations.

The North Queensland Cowboys home stadium sponsor Stockland finished up their sponsorship contract seeing out their three-year deal.

In 2005 the eastern terraces were extended, a new replay screen invested, public address system installed, 30 more corporate boxes and upgraded catering facilities as part of the funding injection.

Two of Papua New Guinea's 2008 Rugby League World Cup Group A games were played at Dairy Farmers Stadium, one against England and the other against Australia.

[5] It was announced on 19 February 2013 that 1300SMILES had signed a five-year deal for naming rights, bringing Dairy Farmers' fifteen years to an end.

The planning for the bid identified several issues with the existing stadium, particularly sub standard facilities, congestion and limited transport access.

The proposed ground would be located at the Saunders Street QR National site close to the Townsville CBD, as part of an urban renewal plan.

The existing QR National rail yards are to be relocated in accordance with the Townsville Port Authority Master Plan 2010–2040.

This has resulted in an end-of-year test between Australia and New Zealand being scheduled to be held at the Dairy Farmers Stadium on 13 October for its first international match since the 2008 World Cup.

In 2003 a number of matches, which involved Japan in the Rugby Union World Cup were played at the ground, averaging a crowd of 19,249.