The City of Gold Coast has revealed plans for a new 12,000-capacity arena which could be utilised for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
The A$480m indoor Gold Coast Arena would host up to 80 major events per year and is tipped to add A$700m into the local economy over a decade. Estimated to cost A$480m, the City of Gold Coast Council said the project could be completed during 2028-29.
The council said the future Gold Coast Arena is intended to be delivered and operated by a private investor which will be decided through a commercial transactions process.
The venue would be located on a waterside site at Carey Park in the central business district (CBD), overlooking the Southport Broadwater. The council said the location already offers good transport links as well as dining, bars, retail, recreation and accommodation options.
The venue could host some of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games sports and culture events, as well as international and national music acts, major sporting events and family entertainment.
The arena is the latest initiative announced to regenerate the City of Gold Coast’s CBD.
“The proposed arena would host premium live music performances, sports, comedy and esports,” the City of Gold Coast said in a statement. “We are currently missing out on these high-value events because we don’t have a suitable indoor venue for audiences of up to 12,000 spectators.”
Gold Coast’s Brisbane 2032 programme
The council said the project is currently in the planning phase with construction scheduled to start in 2026-27.
A public consultation on the proposed Gold Coast Arena will be open until December 9, 2024. Members of the public are encouraged to have their say on the project, including what they would like to see and experience, as well as the opportunities for the public plaza and civic space and creating better connections to the CBD and Broadwater Parklands.
The City of Gold Coast is hosting a series of Brisbane 2032 Olympic events, including judo and wrestling at Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre. Gold Coast Stadium will host the football preliminaries, while Coomera Indoor Sports Centre will host the Olympic volleyball and the Paralympic wheelchair rugby. Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre will host the Olympic volleyball preliminaries and weightlifting.
