Big Bash League cricket finals with Brisbane Heat coming to Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is in the box seat to host the popular Big Bash League’s (BBL) final after locking in the Brisbane Heat’s home qualifier match – in what’s being tipped as a promotional boon.

The Gold Coast is in the box seat to host the popular Big Bash League’s (BBL) final after locking in the Brisbane Heat’s home qualifier match – in what’s being tipped as a promotional boon.

The Heat will play in the qualifying final at Carrara’s Heritage Bank Stadium on Friday, January 19.

The side will play either Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers or the Melbourne Stars.

A Brisbane win that night sets up the team to walk out again on Wednesday, January 24 for the season’s major final. If the Heat lose the Qualifier final, the major final will be in Perth but the Gold Coast is still guaranteed a second fixture – the Challenger final preceding it on Monday, January 22.

Xavier Bartlett of the Heat celebrates winning over the Scorchers. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Tourism and cricket bosses say the fixtures, the biggest BBL matches to ever to be staged on the Gold Coast, will be a major coup for the city, with games to be broadcast to audiences of millions across Australia, India and the UK.

BBL general manager Alistair Dobson said all eyes would be on the Gold Coast.

“The finals are the pinnacle of our league and we saw in Perth last year the game had 50,000 people at Optus Stadium, so bringing that to the Gold Coast will be really exciting,” he said.

“We have a huge audience through the subcontinent, the UK and every cricket nation, plus the superstar players who are followed around the world.

“This will be the biggest game ever played on the Gold Coast and with the Heat on an amazing run and a strong local cricket community, we are sure locals will want to get out and support the heroes from their own backyards.

Alistair Dobson (AAP Image/James Ross)

“With one final locked in and potentially another if the Heat get through, it is shaping up as a big week of cricket on the Gold Coast.”

It will be a rematch for the Heat, currently first on the ladder, who defeated the Scorchers on Wednesday night by 23 runs.

There are four Gold Coasters playing for the Heat this season, including Michael Neser, Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant and Australia’s latest test debutant, Mermaid Beach resident Matthew Kuhnemann.

Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Experience Gold Coast (ECG) CEO John Warn said the city would gain significant publicity from hosting both the qualifier and the major or challenger finals.

“EGC is delighted that Heritage Bank Stadium has been chosen to host the BBL finals on the Gold Coast supporting Queensland Cricket and Cricket Australia, showcasing the benefits of hosting major sporting events on the GC,” he said.

“The BBL and Heat’s success presents a fantastic opportunity for our city, hot off the back of another successful Magic Millions carnival, broadcasting the Gold Coast across Australia and internationally.

“We look forward to selling out Heritage Bank Stadium, a facility that has so much potential for southeast Queensland.’’