Gold Coast SUNS Announce Extension with People First Stadium

The Gold Coast SUNS have announced a new 10-year partnership with Stadiums Queensland, ensuring the club remains at the People First Stadium through at least 2036.

Announced on 3 February 2026, the AFL will transfer full management of the Carrara venue to Stadiums Queensland on 1 March 2026, ending the league’s long-standing lease arrangement.

By bringing People First Stadium under the direct control of Stadiums Queensland, the state government can better coordinate high-performance event delivery across its portfolio and ready it’s preparation for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

For the SUNS, the decade-long commitment provides commercial certainty as the club enters its most anticipated season yet, following a record-breaking 2025 campaign that saw membership soar past 30,000.

Commenting on the extension, Stadiums Queensland CEO, Todd Harris, said: “Securing the Gold Coast SUNS at People First Stadium for another ten years reinforces the important impact the club and the AFL has on the Gold Coast region.”

“This shift will help drive stronger, more streamlined operations across the State’s venues on the pathway to Brisbane 2032,” Harris said.

2026 Season Launch and Commercial Strategy

Gold Coast SUNS CEO, Mark Evans, noted that the stadium remains the “hottest place to be on the Gold Coast,” with primetime fixtures designed to maximise local tourism and member engagement.

The announcement arrives just days before the SUNS kick off their 2026 campaign at the venue. The SUNS will host Geelong on Friday, 6 March, expected to draw a capacity crowd of 27,500 following their 2025 success.

Commercial interest has peaked following the high-profile recruitment of superstars like Christian Petracca, who will debut in the #3 guernsey this season.

Management Transition and Operational Impact

The handover from the AFL to Stadiums Queensland marks a new era for the organisation and the venue’s commercial strategy.

As of 1 March 2026, Stadiums Queensland will assume responsibility for day-to-day operations, maintenance, and multi-sport event attraction, allowing the SUNS to focus purely on their football and commercial programs.

The venue joins Stadiums Queensland ‘s “major event network,” which includes the Gabba and Suncorp Stadium, facilitating more flexible scheduling for international concerts and non-AFL events.

The venue will continue to be known as People First Stadium under its current partnership with the Heritage-People’s Choice merged entity, which has served as a critical pillar of the stadium’s identity since 2024.

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