Gold Coast Sporting Venues Deliver $62 Million In Economic Returns Post Commonwealth Games

According to new data released by the Gold Coast City Council, the major sporting venues used for the 2018 Commonwealth Games has delivered $62 million in economic returns in the first six months of their reopening.

The Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, Coomera Indoor Sports Centre and Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre have each experienced a rapid increase in overall bookings and operations, successfully delivering 390 events to more than 594,000 patrons and generating $1 million in event hire revenue.

The Aquatic Centre has attracted more than 22,000 patrons to 246 events, giving an economic return to the city of more than $15 million.

Events like the BSW Sudirman Cup at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre sold almost 14,000 tickets for badminton fans and had a broadcast reach of 500 million viewers.

Basketball games with the Brisbane Bullets and netball with the Firebirds are attracting more than 4000 fans and 325,000 viewers.

The venues have 121 events booked for the remainder of 2019, which promises revenue of more than $1.5 million.

The report went on to say “event clients are now booking their event in advance with 50 events currently booked for 2020 covering 313 event days.”

Council staff say they are dealing with multi-year bookings and larger clients want to lock-in deals across 2021 and 2022.

“We made a decision to invest in the Commonwealth Games so we could deliver sporting and events infrastructure that would grow the Gold Coast’s tourism industry,” Queensland Commonwealth Games Minister, Kate Jones said.

“This data proves that the plan is working.

“What’s exciting is the best is yet to come – we’re seeing stronger bookings than ever for our Games venues which will have a great flow-on effect for local businesses.”