Gold Coast: Talks tol hold UFC and WWE blockbusters at Carrara’s Heritage Bank Stadium

Leading promoters are in talks with city leaders to bring the World Wrestling Entertainment and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) blockbusters to the Gold Coast.

Leading promoters are in talks with city leaders to bring the World Wrestling Entertainment and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) blockbusters to the Gold Coast.

The dream of becoming the Las Vegas boxing-style capital of the Pacific is one step closer, with Mayor Tom Tate revealing he has held talks with key boxing figures about bringing some of the world’s biggest fight events to the city.

Carrara’s Heritage Bank Stadium (HBS) is also being eyed-off as the preferred venue, he also revealed.

Conor McGregor. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

If realised, it is hope some of the top mixed martial arts fighters such as Irish mega star Conor McGregor and American Holly Holm - who famously defeated world champion at the time Ronda Rousey - will end up going into the ring in front of more than 30,000 people and a television audience of millions.

Both UFC and WWE are owned by TKO Group Holdings, headed by Vince McMahon and Dana White.

Mr Tate revealed the talks in a letter sent to the state government outlining his push to upgrade the Carrara stadium.

Holly Holm of the United States is a popular UFC fighter

The letter, initially sent to former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and given to new state leader Steven Miles, outlines the benefits of spending more than $50m to upgrade the facility, and make it the temporary home of the AFL’s Brisbane Lions and for major cricket matches.

“The current capacity for HBS is 26,500 (and) as the Suns go from strength to strength in the years ahead and start hosting home finals, this capacity will not match demand and we will not achieve the economic returns we otherwise would.

“Of course, HBS is also an ideal venue for cricket, including night cricket, music concerts and, in addition, I can confirm that City of Gold Coast has held discussions with major boxing, wrestling (WWE) and mixed martial arts (UFC) promoters about the potential of the Gold Coast for major stadium events in those increasingly popular sports.

WWE superstar John Cena. Picture: Mark Stewart

“The time is right therefore to seize the opportunity to complete a grandstand at the northern end of the HBS to increase capacity to at least 32,000.”

Mr Tate has argued Queensland would enjoy a greater long-term legacy from upgrading the Carrara Stadium. The former premier’s preferred option has been redeveloping the RNA Showgrounds in Brisbane to create a temporary stadium for the Lions and cricket while the Gabba is being redeveloped for the 2032 Olympic Games.

“Preliminary estimates for this project are $50-60m, far cheaper than the cost of the proposed RNA upgrade,” Mayor Tate said.

Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“In my view, the legacy benefits of an upgrade of HBS far outweigh the benefits of the RNA upgrade and will support the needs of Queensland’s second largest city for the next 30 years as we continue to experience rapid growth.”

The idea of upgrading the stadium and hosting the Lions and cricket is understood to have the support of the AFL, Cricket Australia and the Gold Coast Suns.

In his letter, Mr Tate reveals the council would be willing to spend millions to upgrade the Carrara sports precinct.

It proposes.

* Upgrading cricket training pitches to tier-one international standard for international matches;

*Investment in more corporate and broadcasting facilities to make the stadium more attractive to media partners and potential sponsors;

*Masterplanning the entire precinct;

*Future traffic and transport needs such as road upgrades, public transport and additional parking.”

Mayor Tom Tate wants to have Carrara Stadium enclosed. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

State Development Minister Grace Grace said the government was keen to secure more events for the region.

“We’re looking at a range of options to deliver new and improved infrastructure and we will continue work with all stakeholders, including the Gold Coast Mayor, to achieve the best outcomes.

“Clearly we need to take into account the views of sporting clubs and organisations so that their needs are met.”

A state government spokesman said investigations were ongoing in locking in new events.

“Through Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), the Queensland Government is regularly scoping new events for the state and talking to event operators,” he said.

“Working closely with Experience Gold Coast, TEQ is always open to new events that provide value for money and support the visitor economy.”

Originally published as Gold Coast: Talks tol hold UFC and WWE blockbusters at Carrara’s Heritage Bank Stadium