Gold Coast ‘bumper’ sports weekend with racing, surfing, AFL/NRL

An action packed Gold Coast weekend of sport and entertainment is set to reign in millions of dollars. FULL STORY FOR EVENT DETAILS

A bumper Gold Coast weekend of sport and entertainment is bringing big names and big dollars to the city as tourism bosses reveal 88 per cent occupancy at a traditionally slower time.

The Glitter Strip is hosting both the Gold Coast Titans first 2024 NRL fixture and the Gold Coast Suns’ 2024 AFL debut on Saturday whilst stars of surfing from across the country are on board for the Australian Boardriders Battle at Burleigh Heads all weekend.

The cream of racing will be at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Saturday for the $2 million Queensland Jewel Race Day.

The Jewel race day returns to the Gold Coast Turf Club after being in Brisbane last year due to track upgrades.

Primed for a big weekend of sport on the Gold Coast are from left, Suns fan Kayla Smith, Titans fan Michael Pulford,surfer Sierra Kerr, GC Suns player Alex Sexton, jockey Noel Callow, Titans fan Matthew Brown and Suns fan Bonnie Stott. Picture Glenn Hampson

The Suns take on Melbourne glamour club Richmond in what is a sold out grudge match at the newly renamed People First Stadium, pitching the side under new Suns coach Damien Hardwick against his former club from 3.20pm.

The Titans take on St George in what is shaping up as a bumper night at Cbus Super Stadium. Tickets remain available for the Titans/Dragons clash, which kicks off at 6:35pm.

Experience Gold Coast visitor economy and corporate relations head Rachel Hancock revealed occupancy across the weekend was at a healthy 88 per cent.

“We’ve worked really hard on our events and tourism strategy, particularly around trying to diversify the events we get to the Gold Coast and spread them out across the 52 weeks.

Rachel Hancock at the Experience Gold Coast International Women's Day Luncheon 2024 at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre for Gold Coast at Large. Picture, Portia Large.

“There are so many events want to come to the Gold Coast from the north to the south.

“We’ve got occupancy at 88 percent this weekend, which is amazing for us and really well-needed after coming out of such a rough January with the storms and the floods.

“Operators are buoyed, it’s still going to be a tough time - cost of living is starting to hit - but the Gold Coast is in a great position where if you have an event people come and have a celebration around that event, so we’re getting them to come here longer, and spend more money.”

Asked if occupancy would normally be under 88 per cent at this time of year, she said it was a “really healthy number”. Mayor Tom Tate said: “Our city is on the big stage with action from the beach to the Hinterland.

“Sell-out events like the AFL, combined with the NRL, world-class surfing and music festivals, brings millions into our economy. Our 78,000 small businesses benefit and the city benefits with massive social media coverage as well as free-to-air broadcasts.

“Make a date with the Gold Coast … our major events program is brimming with action throughout 2024.”

It comes as new data this week revealed sports tourism was worth $600m to the city’s economy annually.

Mr Tate vowed to increase this number to $1bn by 2028 if re-elected on March 16.

Village Roadshow boss Clark Kirby said it was important to “broaden the appeal” of the city through big events.

“We want to see more big events across the city,” Mr Kirby said. “Experience Gold Coast, which I fortunately serve as a board member on, is really focusing on that and broadening the appeal of the Gold Coast. We have so much to offer and we’re so excited to see the city grow as a multifaceted destination.”

Originally published as Gold Coast ‘bumper’ sports weekend with racing, surfing, AFL/NRL