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Down Main Street, Kangaroo Point, they trekked in their thousands.
Many brandishing Australian flags. Many chanting "Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi", our unofficial sporting anthem since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Before the toss, before a single ball was bowled this felt different.
In recent years, as commentators have debated whether test cricket would survive, the empty, cavernous sterile seating of the Gabba was "exhibit A" in the indictment of red ball traditional cricket.
Gripping Tests against South Africa and Pakistan last summer drew meagre, disengaged crowds. The stands were all but empty.
It was acutely depressing and cast doubt on the future of the traditional game.
Fans revive the fanfare
But today the enduring allure of the Ashes was on display.
The Barmy Army serenaded passers-by on the lawns outside the Gabba and Brisbane commuters on the way to work harmonised with them. The atmosphere was like a country show with genuine affection towards the visiting fans.
At the Pineapple Hotel, patrons who'd swapped Gatorade for a more potent and performance enhancing breakfast drink were also in full throat, singing ribald versions of Cold Chisel and Johnny Farnham. If they survive until dinner it will be a tribute to their resilience.
All eyes on the Gabba
There is nothing like the opening morning of an Ashes series. The crowd is still teeming in and the ground is already at capacity.
For once, the hype of the commentators may be matched by the atmosphere, genuinely resembling a cauldron, rather than an abandoned building site with a few forlorn fans glancing up from their novels as a run is scored.
On a green tinged surface, Joe Root elected to bat and gambled that England could endure an hour of interrogation from the Australian pace attack. He lost Alastair Cook after a mere four balls. Callow James Vince must face his Australian baptism of fire with aplomb to right the ship.
Inside the media box camaraderie prevails. Many of the media contingent are covering their fifth Ashes series in less than eight years. The warmth of the reunions belies the intensity of the rivalry in the middle.
Sport offers few rituals as rich and engaging as the opening morning of an Ashes Test.
Brisbane has excelled itself. Let's hope the players match the grandeur of the atmosphere.
Topics: cricket, sport, brisbane-4000
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