Frequently asked questions

Right now, we’re missing out. Without a major arena, we’re turning away concerts, events, tourism dollars, and jobs.

This world-class indoor venue will cater for a minimum capacity of 12,000 fans and be fully integrated with major transport networks making it easy for everyone to get there.

The new arena will spark investment in the CBD, generate hundreds of jobs, energise our economy, and put the Gold Coast on the map for major live events.

The Gold Coast Arena will host more than 100 ticketed events a year. It will be built for world-class entertainment from global music headliners to comedy, family shows, sport, MMA, and esports.

The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will finalise the sports program and venue plan in 2026, after the initial sport program is determined by the International Olympic Committee.

The Gold Coast doesn’t have a true indoor arena designed for live entertainment. Our current venues are either sports focussed, too small or outdoors – making them unsuitable for major arena tours. This new venue will fill that gap, attracting top national and international acts and events that skip the city today.

A Public Private Partnership is a long-term contract between government and the private sector to design, build, finance, operate and maintain infrastructure for the public good. It leverages private sector expertise, innovation and capital to deliver major projects, while sharing risk and public benefit.

The Gold Coast Arena is expected to yield a host of benefits for the Gold Coast including:

• more than 100 major events a year
• multi-billion injection into the local economy
• support local jobs through construction, hospitality, event management and tourism
• boost visitor spending and overnight stays
• create a launchpad for local talent
• play a role on the world stage with potential to host Olympic and Paralympic sport and cultural events as part of Brisbane 2032.

Following a rigorous site assessment, City of Gold Coast determined Carey Park was the best location for a new world-class arena. The prominent Broadwater setting creates a new destination that will boost Southport’s night-time economy.

Carey Park offers great connectivity with three light rail stations, bus and ferry transport and carparking all in easy walking distance. It is also close to dining, entertainment and accommodation options that will enhance the experience for arena patrons.

It is in a Priority Development Area and close to a Special Entertainment Precinct which prioritises development of such city shaping infrastructure. 

We are inviting Australian and international consortium with proven experience in the delivery and operation of live entertainment arenas to provide their vision, capability and experience in response to the EOI documents. EOI submissions will close in November 2025.

Following the EOI process, Invest Gold Coast will shortlist up to two proponents who will be invited to participate in a Request for Proposal (RFP) stage. The preferred proponent will then be selected and announced in Q3 2026.

The preferred proponent will be responsible for securing planning approval to deliver the arena. However, the project falls under the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act which aims to streamline planning, certainty and momentum. This may be the preferred planning and development pathway.

In November 2024, the City of Gold Coast reached out to the community regarding the Gold Coast Arena and its location at Carey Park. There was overwhelming 75% support for the arena. See the full consultation outcomes at www.cityofgoldcoast.com.au/arena

Community input into this process is vital. Gold Coasters will be invited to provide feedback on the arena in alignment with the preferred planning pathway.

Construction is expected to commence in 2027.

The arena is expected to open in 2030, well ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

High level technical assessments were completed to inform the site assessment investigations in 2024. Detailed site assessments will be undertaken by the successful proponent during the design process. 

This market engagement relates only to the 4.5 hectare Carey Park site. 

The arena is envisioned to have a capacity to host a minimum of 12,000 patrons. It will be designed primarily for live music, with flexibility to host sports, comedy, family shows and major events. It will include full venue infrastructure like foyers, back of house, plaza spaces, corporate suites and food and beverage offerings. It will also include the financing, maintenance and operations of the arena over the long term arrangement. 

With a minimum capacity of 12,000 fans, it is benchmarked against similar arenas. The artist impressions are illustrative only. The final design of the venue will be up to the successful proponent.