The government continues to delay a decision on when or if the proposed stadium with a clear roof will be built as it foots the bill for the light rail project and Mr Fluffy clean-up.

But Barr's comments on Friday are a major backflip on his stance two years ago when he declared: "To limp on at Canberra Stadium is just not realistic."

ACT sport minister Yvette Berry told Fairfax Media on Wednesday the new stadium would be put on the backburner if the ACT Brumbies were axed from Super Rugby.

Barr said there was "no way" the stadium would be built if the Brumbies were cut from the competition given it would leave the Canberra Raiders as the capital's only professional sporting team.

But Barr threw another roadblock at the plans, saying Canberra needed an NRL, Super Rugby and A-League team before giving the project the green light.

It's a major blow to hopes of a new venue given Football Federation Australia has already said it would not expand into Canberra until the population reaches 1million.

Asked on Friday if a new stadium would be built if the Brumbies didn't exist, Barr said on ABC radio: "There's no way. I mean a new stadium really requires three teams to play out of it - Raiders, Brumbies and an A-League team in the summer to make it economically viable.

"If you're left with one team then, no, it's not viable at all. If the Brumbies no longer participate in Super Rugby and Canberra only has the Raiders as our only team then you would not build a brand new stadium to be used 11 times a year."

The FFA has ruled out expansion for the next two years and Canberra doesn't even have a bid to secure a licence.

The Central Coast Mariners played two A-League games in Canberra this season but it is unknown if they will return to the capital after crowds of just 5497 and 5072.

In 2014, Barr proposed a 20,000-seat stadium with the ability to scale up to 30,000 to host larger events like concerts.

"It's got to be the complete package at sport now. It's a combination of ticket prices, food and drinks and the fan experience when you're up against television coverage," Barr said.

"How bad does it have to get before people don't turn up? I don't think anyone is surprised that on our cold, rainy nights that crowds drop. A stadium in the CBD is the way to go, it's not just Canberra. Look at everywhere else that choice has been made to go to the city and it has worked."

Canberra Stadium was opened in 1977 and is at the end of its lifespan, with the Mal Meninga stand fast approaching its 50-year used-by date.

Canberra Raiders boss Allan Hawke weighed into the argument, saying a new stadium would be "a dream come true" for his NRL club.

The Raiders are still negotiating the details of a high-performance centre at Northbourne Oval and Hawke believes crowd numbers would swell at a new stadium.

"We would love to have a new stadium in the city ... for us it would be a dream come true," Hawke said.

"It would make life easier for everyone. It would make access to the ground and surrounding facilities easier for members and fans and it would certainly fit well with what we're planning to do at Northbourne Oval."

Fairfax Media contacted Barr's team on Friday but were told he was not available for comment and they did not know when he would next be free.