World Surf League Championship Tour and Liv Golf Series among events being targeted by Gold Coast city leaders

Two years after the long-running Corona Pro was asked from the World Surf League’s Championships Tour, talks are being held to bring it back to the Gold Coast. Find out where discussions are at and when it could happen

Tom Boswell

@TomBoswellGCB

3 min read

December 30, 2022 - 1:06PM

Gold Coast Bulletin

Major Events Gold Coast CEO Jan McCormick

Local sport

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THE iconic Corona Open and the global LIV Golf Series headline a hit list of sporting events being targeted by city leaders to add to already burgeoning portfolio.

It’s part of a huge push from Major Events Gold Coast to leverage the facilities established for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the upcoming 2032 Brisbane Olympics to build the city’s reputation as a world class sports event destination.

The Corona Open, formally named the Quiksilver Pro, was sensationally taken away from the world famous beach break at Snapper Rocks in 2021 in favour of a NSW event and was replaced with a second-tier World Surf League Challenger Series competition.

But a team including Major Events Gold Coast CEO Jan McCormick, chairman Darryl Kelly and Mayor Tom Tate flew to the US to meet with WSL CEO Erik Logan in October to push for the return of one of the most popular surfing events in the world.

Sally Fitzgibbons competing in the Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro in 2022 at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast. Picture: Matt Dunbar/World Surf League

The meeting coincided with the trio’s visit to Huntington Beach to see the Pacific Air Show that will be coming to the Gold Coast in 2023 as part of a five-year deal with an option of a further 10.

“They (WSL) were really interested in talking to us,” McCormick said.

“We were told 2025 is the earliest they could do and we will be working with them around that now.

“Millions viewed the (Gold Coast Open Challenger Series) event we had and there is a potential media reach into the billions. It’s an iconic surfing site.”

City leaders also believe they can improve their return on investment with a WSL Championship Tour event by making the corporate experiences on both sand and water even bigger.

There has been talk of having corporate hospitality and VIP packages spanning the entire Rainbow Beach.

McCormick also confirmed the city pitched to have the lucrative LIV Golf Tour host an event on the Glitter Strip, with Sanctuary Cove the frontrunner while The Grand knocked back an approach.

LIV ultimately went to Adelaide, with McCormick revealing the short time frame to get a bid together hampered the city before declaring MEGC would launch another bid for a tour event for 2025.

“It didn’t work for (2022) but we will not give up hope. We will put in a pitch (for 2025) that is more collaborative.”

Sanctuary Cove golf course operations manager Ryan Gailey out on the Pines course. Picture: Glenn Hampson

MEGC had 60 contracted events run through 2022 and has already locked in 97 for 2023.

“By 2027 we want to have 500,000 sports participants per annum, visitor nights of 750,000 per annum and an economic impact of $427m with investment from the city that is comparable to that,” McCormick said.

“That is what we are planning on and projecting. It’s a strong business model for the city.”

McCormick also confirmed the Surf Life Saving Australia national championships would also be held on the Gold Coast every year from 2024 to 2032, except for 2025 and 2028 when it goes to the Sunshine Coast.

McCormick said the goal was to now push for more facilities to be developed that can host bigger sporting events, attract unique demonstration sports and become the headquarters for more major sporting associations.

Major Events Gold Coast CEO Jan McCormick leads the brains trust working to bring top sports events to the city. Picture: Jerad Williams

“We are building a really strong reputation that if you want to have an event and you want to have it run seamlessly then the Gold Coast is to place to go,” McCormick said.

“We have terrific venues, a great climate and lifestyle and people are coming and extending their stays here.

“What I’d like to see in the future is more facilities that we can host bigger events and bring in a few high profile demonstration sports.

“We have to put a lot more effort as a city into promoting these unique sportsman who come in.

“They are international athletes and the best of the best. We want them coming in to schools to motivate and encourage students.

“If we could also attract a couple of major sporting associations to be headquartered here on the Gold Coast that will be key.”