The big events just keep coming to the Gold Coast in 2022 with arguably the world’s greatest rock band set to light up Metricon Stadium, followed by the world’s best BMX freestyle riders to descend on the city for an Australian-first BMX Freestyle World Cup.
And that’s just two of the exciting major events on our calendar before the year’s out.
Major Events Gold Coast CEO Jan McCormick said the city will have hosted 26 events in the last quarter of 2022 alone, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and generating a projected $145 million for the local economy.
“There really hasn’t been a slow month this year, as a city we have hosted just under 100 major events in 2022 with a total attendance of more than one million,” said Ms McCormick.
“The ability of our city to bounce back so strongly after two years of major COVID impacts is absolutely huge. It is a real testament to the appeal of the Gold Coast as an events destination, and our world class facilities, that we have been able to secure and host so many fantastic events.”
Topping the list for many will be rock royalty, Guns N’ Roses. Set to take over Metricon Stadium on Thursday 24 November, Guns N’ Roses will fire up the Gold Coast with an explosive performance you won’t want to miss, as they come to the last few dates of their world tour.
After touring their rapturously received sets across America and Europe featuring back-to-back smash hits from the band’s astonishing back catalogue, these living legends are ready to wow Australian crowds.
“Many fans who witnessed the classic Guns N’ Roses line-up of Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan, reunited, on Australian stages during this historic band’s previous ‘Not In This lifetime’ tour in 2017 are still raving about it to this day,” said Paul Dainty AM, President & CEO of TEG DAINTY. “Australian audiences are in for an explosive night of rock. Guns N’ Roses are rock legends. They never disappoint.”
“Having a band of this calibre add the Gold Coast to their tour schedule shows how far the city has come as a live music event destination, and Guns N’ Roses are just the beginning,” said Ms McCormick. “Earlier this year we were thrilled to announce Harry Styles would be giving his only Queensland performance right here on the coast in February 2023.”
From 9-11 December the Gold Coast will host Urban Sport Fest, which includes Australia’s first BMX Freestyle World Cup Olympic Qualifier, combined with a three-day music festival featuring Peach Fur, The Hard Aches, Saint Lane, The Terrys and many more great artists.
Urban Sport Fest Founder Matt Burgess said, “We are privileged and excited to deliver the inaugural Urban Sport Fest to the Gold Coast. The response so far to provide an action-packed family-friendly sports and music festival has been phenomenal and we’re ecstatic to bring the world’s best BMX Freestyle riders as well as leading live bands together for the whole community to enjoy.”
“To be the city chosen to host the first Australian BMX Freestyle Olympic Qualifier is a massive coup for the Gold Coast and for our local and Queensland-based athletes,” said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate. “This puts us well and truly on the world stage, and with the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics on the horizon, our star is certainly on the rise.’’
Before the globe’s best BMX Freestyle riders descend on the city, the Gold Coast will welcome 12,000 elite cheer and dance athletes for the 2022 AASCF National Cheers and Dance Championships and their 20,000 spectators. Then there is the Festival of Touch, the Australian Basketball Schools Championships, the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup and the GC50 Run Festival. All before the year is out.
“Major Events Gold Coast’s 2022 portfolio of events, including the four award-winning festivals we produce and deliver, is expected to generate $300 million for the local economy,” said Ms McCormick. “The Gold Coast’s star has already risen and our 2023 and 2024 calendars are looking really exciting!”