Partners sought for new Brisbane arena

Image: Government Queensland

The Australian city of Gold Coast is on the hunt for partners to invest in a planned new world-class entertainment and sports arena.

The Queensland Government said the future Gold Coast Arena is intended to be delivered and operated by a private investor and that the venue would be a host for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Invest Gold Coast is leading a commercial transaction process to identify potential investors. Expressions of Interest for the Gold Coast Arena Public Private Partnership (PPP) will open in late August 2025.

Construction of the arena is expected to commence in 2027. Building work will take two to three years, with the arena opening in 2030.

City of Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate, said the city would formally launch a global Expressions of Interest (EOI) process.

He said, “We are about to ignite a global investment wave with the opportunity for investors to partner on a legacy 12,000-plus capacity sports and entertainment arena.

“We will be seeking expressions of interest from major Australian and international consortia to enter a Public Private Partnership to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the landmark venue.

“This is an early call to global investors to get ready for one of the most exciting, city-shaping opportunities in the Asia Pacific.”

The government said the arena will be the next city-shaping project to meet the needs of the region’s growing resident and visitor populations and that it would establish Gold Coast as one of Australia’s entertainment capitals.

The proposed arena would host premium live music performances, sports, comedy and esports.

The city said in a statement, “We are currently missing out on these high-value events because we don’t have a suitable indoor venue with a minimum capacity of 12,000 spectators.

“After site investigations, Council has provided in-principle support for an arena at Carey Park, Southport. It will encourage investment in the CBD, create hundreds of jobs and boost our visitor economy.”
 
Benefits for the community were highlighted with the arena set to:

• Bring significant economic, social and creative benefits to the city and broader region
• Help attract the most in-demand international and national music acts, major sporting events and family entertainment to the city.
• Create 6,700 jobs for Queenslanders during construction
• Host up to 100 major events each year
• Support and attract local businesses
• Invigorate further investment in the CBD and boost the visitor economy
• Host some of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games sports and culture events

 
The city council said it would continue to work with the Queensland Government on site ownership to support an arena at Carey Park.

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