28 November 2025

Global heavyweights line up for Gold Coast Arena deal

The race to build the Gold Coast Arena is officially on with consortia from Australia and abroad vying to deliver the city’s next major entertainment and sporting destination.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) process, which closed yesterday, sought proposals to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the city’s largest indoor entertainment and sports venue.

The 12-000 plus capacity arena – earmarked as a Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic venue – will be delivered via a Public Private Partnership at Carey Park in Southport.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said there has been serious interest to deliver the arena which speaks volumes for one of the most exciting city-shaping opportunities in the Asia Pacific.

“This project will be a game changer for our Southport CBD,” said Mayor Tom Tate. “We are continuing to attract record investment to our city, as we head toward 2032.”

Invest Gold Coast Chief Executive Officer Mark Girard said he was delighted with the level of interest shown by the market.

“It is exciting the private sector is fully behind this project and ready to partner with us to deliver a world-class arena for the Gold Coast,’ he said. “We will now rigorously assess each proposal for design vision, strong public value, capacity and capability as well as Olympic readiness.

“Our ambition is to deliver a world-class arena that attracts the biggest names in global sport and entertainment.”

Invest Gold Coast intends to shortlist up to 2 respondents for Council consideration in Q1 2026. 

Shortlisted respondents will then be invited to respond to a detailed Request for Proposal.

Mr Girard said responses reinforced the project’s appeal and the city’s growing status as an events destination.

“There is enormous and increasing demand for music, sport, cultural and major events and the Gold Coast Arena offers an opportunity to be part of a city-shaping legacy project,” he said.

City of Gold Coast is expected to endorse a preferred proponent late 2026.

The arena will operate on a long-term lease arrangement at Carey Park in the Gold Coast CBD.