CAIRNS is set to attract further major international and national sporting events following the completion of a $2.1 million upgrade to Cazalys Stadium.

The upgrade includes improving lighting to AFL television standards, new entrance gates on Till St and extra seating and amenity areas.

Member for Cairns Desley Boyle officially opened the redeveloped stadium on Saturday, grand final day in Cairns AFL.

Ms Boyle said the venue was now the largest multi-sport venue in Far North Queensland and second only to Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville outside the southeast.

"The multi-use nature of this stadium will also ensure that local communities, sporting organisations and large scale events can all be accommodated," she said.

"The redevelopment of Cazalys Stadium is a great example of communities, council, sporting organisations and the government working together to invest in a healthy future."

The Queensland Government provided about $550,000 to the upgrade with $750,000 coming from the council and AFL Cairns borrowing the remainder. New entrance gates on Till St were named the Jeff "Hoppy" Hopgood Memorial Entrance, in memory of the prominent businessman, philanthropist and former VFL footballer who died in a car accident in November 2006.

AFL Cairns president Russell Beer said the upgrade was the largest expansion of the stadium since the lights and grandstand went up 10 years ago.

Mr Beer said AFL Cairns hoped to get federal funding for further expansion work, including improved coaching facilities and a gym, with the aim of obtaining AFL premiership matches.

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