111-714: Gold Coast Suns ( AFL ) (2011–present) Gold Coast Suns Women ( AFLW ) (2020–present) North Melbourne Kangaroos ( AFL ) (2007–2008) Brisbane Bears ( AFL ) (1987–1992) Brisbane Lions ( AFL ) (2021) Cricket Australia cricket team (2018–present) Brisbane Heat ( BBL ) (2019–) Melbourne Stars ( BBL ) (2019–) Rugby League Gold Coast Chargers ( ARL/NRL ) (1996–1998) Gold Coast Titans ( NRL ) (2007) Rugby Union Nerang Bulls ( Rugby Union ) (1983–1986) East Coast Aces ( ARU ) (2007) Baseball Gold Coast Clippers ( ABL ) (1989–1990) Daikyo Dolphins ( ABL ) (1992–1993) Carrara Stadium (also known as People First Stadium under naming rights )
222-619: A proposed relocation of the North Melbourne Football Club which had sold some of its home games there. The league pushed for a merger with the Sharks offering significant financial incentives, however North Melbourne blocked the move and the AFL decided that a new licence would be the best avenue for moving forward. On 24 December 2007, the AFL obtained Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) registration for
333-611: A "warm-up" period reduces game delays after power outages). They have replaced many metal halide floodlights. Halogen and electrodeless induction floodlights also exist. The first LED lit sports field in the United Kingdom was switched on at Taunton Vale Sports Club on 6 September 2014. In the top tiers of many professional sports , it is a requirement for stadiums to have floodlights to allow games to be scheduled outside daylight hours. Evening or night matches may suit spectators who have work or other commitments earlier in
444-467: A $ 3 million, 5-year deal for naming rights of Carrara Stadium, to be known henceforth as Metricon Stadium . In March 2016 Metricon Homes signed a 5-year extension deal with the Suns until 25 March 2020 for the naming rights of the stadium. The agreement was later extended to the end of 2022. In 2023 the stadium was renamed Heritage Bank Stadium , after a contract was signed with mutual bank Heritage Bank . In
555-459: A $ 5 million net asset base and 111 sponsors (at least one major, 10 secondary level and 100 tertiary) by mid-October 2008. In the leadup to the 2009 AFL Draft , the AFL allowed the Gold Coast to recruit 12 players born between January and April 1992, with all other AFL clubs being restricted to players born in 1991 or earlier. Karmichael Hunt , a professional rugby league footballer with
666-464: A 12-point upset win over Carlton in Round 22, both at home. The team finished 17th at the end of the season, only above Greater Western Sydney on the AFL ladder. In November 2012 the club announced their "20-ONE-3" plan that targeted signing twenty thousand members and winning a premiership within three years - by the conclusion of the 2015 AFL season. The plan was criticised as being overly ambitious. By
777-413: A 12th placed finish), the club stagnated on the field in 2023 and again failed to make finals. On 11 July 2023, Suns officials announced that Stuart Dew would no longer be the coach after two consecutive losses to Collingwood and Port Adelaide that eliminated them from finals contention. Dew finished with 30.17% winning record over six seasons with the club. Steven King was appointed interim coach for
888-533: A 13-point loss to fellow AFL newcomers Greater Western Sydney . Their solitary win in that time was a narrow win over Melbourne in the triangular round of the 2012 NAB Cup . The home-and-away season did not begin well for the Suns either, losing their first fourteen matches in succession to be the only winless team after Round 15 of the 2012 AFL season . Among the losses included losses by more than ninety points to Collingwood and St Kilda (twice), seven-point losses to Fremantle and North Melbourne at home and
999-471: A 27-point loss to the newest AFL franchise, Greater Western Sydney . Their fourteen losses to start the season was the worst by any team since Fremantle lost its first 17 matches of the 2001 season . Their horror start to the season ended in round 16 with a narrow 2-point win against Richmond. They had a lead of up to 36 points halfway through the second quarter, which then shrank to 24 points after 2 quick goals before half time from Richmond. Richmond then had
1110-493: A FIFA World Cup football field, facilities for 2,000 corporate patrons, AFL team and officials' changing facilities, AFL media facilities, and team and officials' suites. Watpac were contracted for the construction, which was scheduled for completion in mid-2011. The stadium then played host to an International rules football in November 2011, with 12,595 watching Ireland defeat Australia by 50 points to 29. MakMax Australia
1221-529: A floodlit match against Notts Rangers at the Gregory Ground , Lenton, Nottingham on 25 March 1889. This match was illuminated by 14 Wells Lights which was a portable illumation system powered by paraffin Each light had 4,000 candlepower . These lights were placed around the ground and 'illuminated the playing arena well enough for the spectators to follow most, if not all, the points of play' according to
SECTION 10
#17328009868571332-545: A friendly match in Paris against RC Paris under floodlights. The floodlights were fixed to overhead wires strung above and across the pitch. A fresh white coloured ball was introduced after about every 20 minutes and the goalposts were painted yellow. In the 1930s, Herbert Chapman installed lights into the new West Stand at Highbury but the Football League refused to sanction their use. This situation lasted until
1443-445: A poor win–loss record. Eade's departure was exacerbated at the end of the season by Ablett's request to be traded back to his original club Geelong , despite having another year to serve on his contract with the club. The club appointed Port Adelaide and Hawthorn premiership player Stuart Dew as coach ahead of the 2018 season. Under Dew, the Suns adopted a draft strategy of recruiting young players, which in part contributed to
1554-412: A route that usually passes the stadium on non-match days. A taxi rank also operates in front of the adjacent Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre on match days. Future transport plans for the stadium precinct include a ferry service and light rail extension from Broadbeach that will stop outside the stadium. NOTE: This table does not include stadium attendances at
1665-406: A second-last finish in 2018 and last place finish in 2019, the latter being the club's second wooden spoon . David Swallow was appointed captain in 2019 and emerging talent such as Izak Rankine and Matt Rowell showed signs of propelling the club to better results in the future, though Rankine left the club in 2022 to play with Adelaide . Following their best win-loss record in 2022 (10 wins for
1776-413: A serious shoulder injury, while other players were lost to a combination of injury and suspension. The Suns hit the mid-to-late stage of the following season in reasonable form with a 6–8 win–loss record, though disastrously lost their last eight matches and finished in 15th place. Divisions between some of the players and Eade's cautious game-style emerged and by Round 19 club officials sacked Eade, citing
1887-449: A six to two goal quarter, snatching the lead back. The lead then went to 18 points Richmond's way before Gold Coast snatched it back to just 4. With 5 seconds left, a kick from the right forward pocket in Gold Coast's 50 was marked by Karmichael Hunt. After the siren sounded he kicked the goal to make Gold Coast 2-point winners. The Suns then won two more matches for the season, a 30-point win against Greater Western Sydney in Round 20 and
1998-563: A template for every county and club ground in the country". Bramall Lane was the first stadium to host floodlit association football matches, dating as far back as 1878, when there were experimental matches at the Sheffield stadium during the dark winter afternoons. With no national grid , lights were powered by batteries and dynamoes , and were unreliable. Blackburn and Darwen also hosted floodlit matches in 1878, and in October of
2109-417: A very high lumen to watt ratio (typically 80–140 lumens/Watt), making them a cost-effective choice when certain lux levels must be provided. These have been replaced by LED floodlights. LED floodlights are bright enough to be used for illumination purposes on large sport fields. The main advantages of LEDs in this application are their lower power consumption, longer life, and instant start-up (the lack of
2220-512: A wooden base and a plaque. The plaque's inscription reads from left to right, "Brisbane Lions AFC, QCLASH, Gold Coast Suns FC". A three-man committee of former Brisbane Lions chairman Graham Downie, Southport Sharks director Alan Mackenzie and lawyer and community leader John Witheriff established the club's administration. As part of the AFL bid criteria, the GC17 consortium required a commitment from 20,000 locals to become football club members,
2331-480: Is being held during low-light conditions . More focused kinds are often used as a stage lighting instrument in live performances such as concerts and plays . Floodlights may also be used to add effects to buildings at night, called architectural illumination . The most common type of floodlight was the metal-halide lamp , which emits a bright white light (typically 75–100 lumens/Watt). Sodium-vapor lamps are also commonly used for sporting events, as they have
SECTION 20
#17328009868572442-463: Is "Suns of the Gold Coast Sky". The club's primary home ground is Carrara Stadium (known for commercial purposes as "Heritage Bank Stadium"), where they play home matches and train outdoors. The club's indoor training and administrative facilities are located at the adjacent Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre . The Gold Coast Suns have a local rivalry with fellow Queensland AFL team
2553-409: Is a broad-beamed, high-intensity artificial light . It can provide functional area lighting for travel-ways, parking, entrances, work areas, and sporting venues to enable visibility adequate for safe task performance, ornamental lighting for advertising, façades, monuments, or support perimeter security. Floodlights are often used to illuminate outdoor playing fields while an outdoor sports event
2664-685: Is a stadium on the Gold Coast in Queensland , Australia , located in the suburb of Carrara . The stadium is primarily used for Australian rules football , serving as the home ground of the Gold Coast Suns , who compete in the Australian Football League . In addition, the venue is used occasionally for cricket , including Big Bash League matches. Carrara Stadium received substantial redevelopment work prior to
2775-673: Is approved by the International Olympic Committee . In 1983, the Nerang Bulls Rugby Union Club was formed and were located at Carrara Oval. During 1983, the Bulls fielded one senior team and in 1984 they fielded two senior teams. The club spent two seasons at Carrara before moving to Glennon Park in Nerang in 1985. On 7 October 1986, it was announced that Australian rules football club
2886-768: The 2011 AFL season at the Gabba in Brisbane , while their home stadium ( Metricon Stadium ) underwent final redevelopment works. Gold Coast had a bye in Round 1, and played its first AFL game debuted in Round 2 on 2 April 2011 against Carlton at the Gabba in front of a crowd of 27,914. The first five goals were scored by Carlton, before Charlie Dixon scored the first-ever goal for the Gold Coast Suns. Carlton went on to win by 119 points. Gold Coast won its first game in Round 5 on 23 April 2011, defeating Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium . Gold Coast trailed by 40 points late in
2997-629: The 2018 Commonwealth Games . Gold Coast Football Club The Gold Coast Suns , officially the Gold Coast Football Club , are a professional Australian rules football club that competes in the Australian Football League (AFL). The club is based on Queensland 's Gold Coast in the suburb of Carrara . The club has been playing in the AFL since the 2011 season . It plays home matches at Carrara Stadium (known for commercial purposes as People First Stadium ) and has its training and administrative facilities located at
3108-561: The AFL offered the Kangaroos a $ 100 million package to relocate from Melbourne to the Gold Coast and be based out of Carrara. On 7 December 2007 the newly appointed Kangaroos chairman James Brayshaw announced the club would not be moving to the Gold Coast permanently and would continue to be based out of Melbourne. Subsequently, the Kangaroos games played at Carrara after the announcement suffered poor crowds. The AFL released North Melbourne from
3219-426: The Australian Football League (AFL), and also hosts events such as junior representative championships and QAFL games. The Gold Coast Suns have played their home games at Carrara since mid-2011. The Queensland Government contributed $ 60 million towards the redevelopment of the stadium, increasing the capacity to around 25,000 of which 23,500 is seated. The Gold Coast City Council also contributed $ 20 million and
3330-630: The Australian Football League investigating several stadium options for the Gold Coast's inaugural AFL season in 2011. A new $ 172 million stadium in Helensvale was a strongly considered option. The AFL eventually brokered a deal with the Gold Coast City Council and the Queensland Government to redevelop Carrara Stadium. The $ 144.2 million upgrade would increase the stadium capacity to 25,000. Construction for
3441-696: The Brisbane Bears had been granted a licence to enter the Victorian Football League for the 1987 VFL season . Bears President, Paul Cronin , announced on 23 December 1986 that the club would use Carrara Oval as their home ground. The financial backer of the Bears, Christopher Skase , spent $ 1 million redeveloping Carrara Oval over a 10-week period at the beginning of 1987, which included upgraded player facilities, seating for 6000 spectators and new electronic scoreboard. On 19 April 1987,
Carrara Stadium - Misplaced Pages Continue
3552-558: The Brisbane Broncos and rugby union side Biarritz Olympique in France's Top 14 , signed a deal reportedly worth $ 3.2 million to swap codes and play for the Gold Coast from 2010. Gary Ablett, Jr. , dual premiership player with Geelong and winner of the 2009 Brownlow Medal , signed a deal reportedly worth $ 9.6 million over five years to captain the Gold Coast during their starting years. Floodlight A floodlight
3663-530: The Brisbane Heat and the other game hosted by the Melbourne Stars . The stadium remains a potential future home ground for a Gold Coast-based Big Bash League side that enters the competition. Carrara Stadium was selected to host all Brisbane Heat home finals in the 2023-2024 Big Bash League season. The first final (The Qualifier) is set to be hosted at Carrara with another to be played on
3774-607: The Brisbane Lions 35 points to 29. The Lions won the right to host the match, but Carrara Stadium was used because the Lions' preferred venue, the Brisbane Cricket Ground , was unavailable. A men's QClash took place at Carrara Stadium on the same evening. The Gold Coast's successful bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games resulted in the stadium being upgraded to a temporary seating capacity of 35,000, which
3885-525: The Brisbane Lions . The two teams contest the "QClash" twice each season. The first QClash was held in 2011 , with Gold Coast winning by 8 points; the game established the highest pay TV audience ever for an AFL game, with a total of 354,745 viewers watching the game. The medal for the player adjudged best on ground is known as the Marcus Ashcroft Medal . It is named after former footballer Marcus Ashcroft , who played junior football on
3996-626: The Daikyo Dolphins and moving to nearby Palm Meadows . For the 1992–93 season, they moved back to Carrara as the Gold Coast Cougars . The Cougars stayed at Carrara until the abolition of the Australian Baseball League in 1999. The Brazilian football team set up camp at Carrara Stadium for pre-tournament training before the 2000 Summer Olympics . The Brazilians later commented that the surface at Carrara
4107-679: The Fitzroy Lions defeated the Brisbane Bears in the first VFL game played at Carrara Oval, before a crowd of 17,795. (The Brisbane Lions website records the crowd unofficially as 22,684.) In 1989, the Brisbane Bears and the Albert Shire Council signed off on a 30-year lease for the ground with an option for a further 10 years. Following that announcement, Christopher Skase orchestrated the installation of floodlights costing $ 6 million, which were never paid for. With
4218-482: The Geelong Cats , in front of a then-record crowd of 18,198. Insufficient public transport access to the stadium and the poor on-field performance of the Bears resulted in poor crowds at Bears games, prompting local media to refer to the situation as the "Curse of Carrara". After the new owner of the Bears, Reuben Pelerman, lost a further $ 10 million between the 1990–1992 AFL seasons, the Bears moved permanently to
4329-536: The Gold Coast Suns , and adopt the colours red, gold and blue. The club's newly assembled junior squad competed in the 2009 TAC Cup under 18 competition and won most of their games, eventually finishing in 5th place. They defeated the Northern Knights in the elimination final but then lost their semi final to the Geelong Falcons . In November 2009 the team signed twelve 17-year-olds around
4440-547: The Port Adelaide Football Club . There was strong opposition from the majority of the QAFL clubs and supporters, and the AFL felt that the popular Sharks brand, and its reliance on gaming and hospitality revenue, could divide rather than unite the Gold Coast community. In 2006, the AFL attempted to negotiate a merger between the Sharks and a Melbourne-based club. The AFL made the Gold Coast a primary target for
4551-494: The QClash against Brisbane. In round 19, the club recorded its inaugural win without their captain, defeating St Kilda. The club went on to lose the remaining matches of the season, finishing in 12th. Inaugural coach Guy McKenna was sacked at season's end, leaving the club after 88 games in charge and winning just over 25% of them. Following McKenna's departure, the Suns announced Rodney Eade as their new coach. Eade had coached
Carrara Stadium - Misplaced Pages Continue
4662-469: The Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs to multiple finals series and was regarded by some pundits as a good choice to push the Suns into a maiden finals campaign. In his first season, Eade made the decision to rush back Gary Ablett Jr into the side, which led to the on-field targeting of the star midfielder, while key position players Charlie Dixon and Harley Bennell were traded to other clubs as
4773-647: The Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company . A women's football match in 1921 used floodlights, when Preston North End 's ground was covered in thick fog and the spectators couldn't see the game. In 1929 the Providence Clamdiggers football club hosted the Bethlehem Steel "under the rays of powerful flood lights, an innovation in soccer" at their Providence, Rhode Island stadium. On 10 May 1933, Sunderland A.F.C. played
4884-577: The Victorian Football League (VFL). Inaugural VFL team Source: 2010 VFL Season Results Concessions on entry into the AFL Players acquired through concessions Initial 2011 playing squad recruitment Guy McKenna would continue to coach the team throughout the 2011 season and beyond, after successfully guiding the club through its journey in the TAC Cup and VFL in 2009 and 2010. The Suns would play their first four "home" games of
4995-465: The men's and women's underage championships and the Talent League . The first application for a licence by a Gold Coast team to enter the AFL was made in 1996 by the wealthy and popular Gold Coast based Southport Sharks club (formed 1961), with an excess of 20,000 members, the on-field QAFL powerhouse made a formal bid to the AFL. However, the AFL declined the license in favour of admitting
5106-507: The 1950s, when the popularity of floodlit friendlies became such that the League relented. In September 1949, South Liverpool 's Holly Park ground hosted the first game in England under "permanent" floodlights: a friendly against a Nigerian XI. In 1950, Southampton 's stadium, The Dell , became the first ground in England to have permanent floodlighting installed. The first game played under
5217-408: The 2025 season, the club unveiled a new logo and guernsey, marking the first major brand change in the clubs history. Centred around the tagline "Fearless", the updated home guernsey features the new logo in deep red on a red base, and the clash kit shows off the oceanic blue logo on a sunburnt gold base. The new branding was met with backlash from fans and critics, stating that the red on red guernsey
5328-575: The 22nd (The Challenger). This is due to the Australia vs West Indies test match being hosted at The Gabba . The Qualifier final against the Sydney Sixers attracted a Gold Coast cricket record crowd of 20,191 spectators. Carrara hosted a triple header of entertainment events on the Easter long weekend in 2001. The first night saw Kiss perform and become the first international act to play at
5439-411: The AFL $ 10 million. The Gold Coast Suns played their first game at the reconstructed stadium on Saturday, 28 May 2011, in Round 10 of the 2011 AFL season . The Suns lost the match against Geelong by 66 points. A round 18 game against 2010 premiers Collingwood attracted a then-record crowd of 23,302, selling out two months before game day. On Saturday 11 August 2012, the Suns won their first game at
5550-494: The Carrara Stadium in a game against Collingwood that attracted an attendance of 23,302, a record was broken in round 16 of 2014 when 24,032 also attended against Collingwood. The seating capacity was temporarily upgraded to 40,000 as part of the Gold Coast's successful bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games . Whilst the Suns have played most of their home games at Metricon Stadium, there have been several times when
5661-472: The GC17 board, and would go on to lead the club in an off-field capacity for several years. The AFL were able to successfully negotiate with the Queensland Government to redevelop Carrara Stadium as the club's new home ground. The announcement of the redevelopment, of which a small portion was funded by the AFL, was made in May 2009. On 22 July 2010 club administrators announced that the club would be known as
SECTION 50
#17328009868575772-464: The Gabba for their first three home games of the 2011 season. The redeveloped Carrara Stadium (commercially known as Metricon Stadium) was officially opened on 22 May 2011 by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh . Six days later, the Gold Coast Suns hosted their first home match at the redeveloped Carrara Stadium against the Geelong Cats. Two months later, the Suns attracted the largest crowd ever at
5883-493: The Gold Coast for Southport and 318 VFL/AFL games for the Brisbane Bears/Lions between 1989 and 2003. He later joined Gold Coast's coaching staff and was the first Queenslander to play 300 VFL/AFL games. Sun Touk Miller has won the medal four times, the most by any player. The trophy awarded to the winner of the game is currently known as the "QClash Trophy". The trophy is a traditional-looking silver cup with
5994-823: The NRL announced that a licence would be awarded to the Gold Coast Titans , and that the stadium would be their home ground in 2007 until the completion of the Robina Stadium , which was opened in 2008. In response to the NRL move, the AFL scheduled three AFL 'home games' for the North Melbourne Football Club and a NAB Cup match for Carrara in 2007, and the Queensland State League began hosting grand finals there. The Titans would play ten games at Carrara in 2007 and miss
6105-531: The Nottingham Evening Post on 26 March 1889. However the same article also reported on 26 March 1889 that 'a strong wind was blowing from the Radford goal, and this caused the lights on the town side to shed a considerable portion of their radiance on the adjoining fields, so that dark shadows were often thrown upon the playing ground and it was almost impossible to see a case of handling unless
6216-513: The Sharks contributed $ 10 million in corporate sponsorship. However the AFL officially ruled out use of the Sharks nickname (along with other nominations including the Dolphins and Pirates) for the new club, despite them being the highest polling choices of AFL supporters. The club's identity was put to a public nomination and voting process with the Marlins and Stingrays being the most popular of
6327-586: The Stadium. Former KISS lead guitarist and foundation band member Ace Frehley revealed in his 2011 autobiography that he punched then-tour manager Tommy Thayer in the jaw while in the dressing room at the conclusion of the Gold Coast concert in 2001. The stadium served as the venue for the last leg of the Kiss Farewell Tour and Thayer would later replace Frehley as the lead guitarist in the band. The next night saw rock legend Alice Cooper perform at
6438-412: The Suns lost their opening four games and never recovered, finishing the 2015 season in 16th place with only four wins. The club started the 2016 season with three consecutive wins and defeated minor premiers Fremantle , giving the impression it was on the verge of achieving sustained on-field success. However it would only win a further three matches for the season and Ablett was again sidelined with
6549-522: The adjacent Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre . The club is one of two AFL clubs based in Queensland, the other being its main rival, the Brisbane Lions which it competes against in the QClash . In addition to the men's team, the Suns field other teams including an AFL Women's side, a reserves side in the Victorian Football League , and a Gold Coast Suns Academy side consisting of the club's best junior development signings contests Division 2 of
6660-400: The available options among community stakeholders. In response to the poll, however the AFL announced that it would not adopt any of the community suggested names and the team would initially remain unnamed and that the nickname would evolve. However it was later leaked that the AFL's marketing department had already chosen the Suns brand independent of the community consultation. The new club
6771-485: The club and elects seven of the nine members of its board with the two remaining being elected by the club members. Notes: *Crowd restrictions due to the COVID-19 Pandemic were in place for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. The two guernseys worn by the Suns are: The Suns' Mascot Manor representative and club mascot is "Sunny Ray". In June 2018 the Suns introduced their new mascot, "Skye". The team song
SECTION 60
#17328009868576882-523: The club has played home games away from Carrara. In 2011, the club had to find a temporary home ground as the redevelopment ran into the 2011 AFL season . The Suns elected to use the Gabba for their first three home games of the 2011 season. The Gabba was again used in 2018 AFL season as Carrara was being prepared for the 2018 Commonwealth Games . In that season, they also played a home game in Cairns at Cazaly's Stadium , Perth at Optus Stadium and played
6993-473: The club moved back up north. The first floodlit match for rugby league played in the heartlands was on 31 October 1951 at Odsal Stadium , Bradford when Bradford Northern played New Zealand in front of 29,072. For a club to play in the Super League they must have a ground with floodlights adequate for playing a professional game. Winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, can be held under
7104-399: The collapse of Skase's company Qintex , he would flee to Spain and the cost of the floodlights continued to be unpaid. Liquidators attempted to extract money from the Gold Coast City Council for the lights but, after an unsuccessful trial, it was found cheaper to leave the floodlights in place at Carrara Stadium. On 15 July 1989, the Bears hosted the first ever night match at Carrara, against
7215-472: The concert on 10 December 2011. On 19 January 2014, the venue hosted the Gold Coast leg of the Big Day Out . The stadium was set to serve as the host of the two-day SandTunes Music Festival on 30 November & 1 December 2019, prior to its cancellation. The line-up included acts such as Travis Scott , Dean Lewis and Carly Rae Jepsen . Queen + Adam Lambert played at the stadium on 29 February 2020 in
7326-498: The country to compete in the Victorian Football League (VFL) year through the under age access rules. These players included Luke Russell ( Burnie ), Maverick Weller ( Burnie ), Taylor Hine ( Calder ), Josh Toy ( Calder ), Matt Shaw ( Dandenong ), Piers Flanagan ( Geelong ), Hayden Jolly ( Glenelg ), Alex Keath ( Murray ), Jack Hutchins ( Sandringham ), Tom Nicholls ( Sandringham ), Brandon Matera ( South Fremantle ), Trent McKenzie ( Western Jets ). The Gold Coast
7437-413: The day, and enable television broadcasts during lucrative primetime hours. Some sports grounds which do not have permanent floodlights installed may make use of portable temporary ones instead. Many larger floodlights (see bottom picture) will have gantries for bulb changing and maintenance. These will usually be able to accommodate one or two maintenance workers. The first sport to play under floodlights
7548-440: The end of the 20-ONE-3 period, the Suns had a highest membership of 13,643 (achieved in 2015) and a highest ladder position of 12 (10 wins - achieved in 2014). In the 2013 AFL season Gold Coast improved, highlighted by a victory over eventual finalist Collingwood . Their improvement on the past two seasons was so stark that they were considered possibilities of securing an unlikely finals berth . The Suns finished with 8 wins for
7659-466: The entry of the Brisbane Bears to the VFL/AFL in 1987, but following the Bears' relocation to the Gabba in 1993, it was used for other sports including rugby league , rugby union and even baseball . The stadium has hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 Commonwealth Games as well as the athletics competitions. The venue would host Cricket for the 2032 Summer Olympics if Cricket
7770-416: The final concert of their Australian leg of The Rhapsody Tour and pulled a record crowd of 40,000 attendees. In November 2020, it was announced Guns N' Roses would play at the stadium on 6 November 2021. The show was later postponed to 24 November 2022. Carrara Stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 Commonwealth Games as well as hosting the athletics events . The athlete's village
7881-433: The final year of a three-year contract after they drew just 6,354 spectators to their first home match at Carrara for the 2008 season. Carlton , Richmond and St Kilda subsequently hosted the remaining home games during the 2009 season. On 7 May 2009, it was confirmed that the Carrara Stadium would receive a $ 126 million redevelopment, providing a suitable stadium for new AFL club the Gold Coast Suns . The last event at
7992-457: The finals. Following the conclusion of the 2007 NRL season , Titans managing director Michael Searle warned the AFL that if a team were to be started on the Gold Coast it would disappear into the Carrara 'black hole' within five years. In 2006 it was announced the North Melbourne Football Club would play nine home games at Carrara between the 2007–2009 seasons. Following the 2007 AFL season
8103-478: The first AFL match ever played at Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns . However, the Suns also suffered several more very heavy defeats during the year, including a 139-point loss to Essendon in Round 6 – in which Essendon scored a record 15.4 (94) in the first quarter – and a 150-point loss against Geelong in Round 20. The Suns went on to win the wooden spoon . Gold Coast endured a poor pre-season in 2012 which included
8214-515: The first match under the Highbury lights taking place on Wednesday 19 September 1951. The first international game under floodlights of an England game at Wembley was 30 November 1955 against Spain, England winning 4–1. The first floodlit Football League match took place at Fratton Park , Portsmouth on 22 February 1956 between Portsmouth and Newcastle United . Many clubs have taken their floodlights down and replaced them with new ones along
8325-602: The ground had existed since 1987, the Gold Coast Football Club's establishment in late 2008 prompted the club to use the stadium as their home ground during the 2009 TAC Cup . The ground opened in 1987 and was used by the Brisbane Bears for the first six years of existence and was later used by the North Melbourne Kangaroos and several professional Rugby league teams. The insufficient and outdated facilities at Carrara Stadium led to
8436-487: The ground until the end of the 1998 NRL season when they were excluded from the competition as a part of the rationalisation of the National Rugby League . Rugby league matches continued to be played at the stadium, with pre-season trials being played there annually from 2002 to 2005, and NRL premiership matches played in 2001 and 2005. The ground's capacity was increased slightly during this time. In 2005
8547-430: The ground when touring English players David Gower and John Morris chose to go for a joy-ride in two Tiger moth biplanes without telling the England team management and buzzed the stadium in the middle of play. Gower and Morris also posed for press photographs with the plane later that afternoon. Both players were subsequently fined £1000 for the prank, a penalty that could have been steeper had Gower elected to release
8658-502: The lights failed to illuminate the whole ground, and the spectators struggled to make sense of the action in the murky conditions. Cricket was first played under floodlights on 11 August 1952, during an exhibition game at Highbury stadium in England. International day/night cricket , played under floodlights, began in 1979. Since then, many cricket stadiums have installed floodlights and use them for both domestic and international matches. Traditional cricket floodlights are mounted at
8769-476: The lights there was on 31 October 1950, in a friendly against Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic , followed a year later by the first "official" match under floodlights, a Football Combination (reserve team) match against Tottenham Hotspur on 1 October 1951. Swindon Town became the first League side to install floodlights at The County Ground . Their first match being a friendly against Bristol City on Monday 2 April 1951. Arsenal followed five months later with
8880-463: The name "Gold Coast Football Club Ltd". In March 2008 the AFL won the support of the league's 16 club presidents to establish sides on the Gold Coast and in Western Sydney . Shortly thereafter the AFL invited the Sharks to become part of a consortium, and the club made a $ 150,000 donation and sought to meet the strict criteria set down for inclusion by the AFL. As part of the winning bid,
8991-465: The officials were close to'. The match was played at 7:45pm and Forest lost 2-0 watched by 5000 spectators. Thames Ironworks (who would later be re-formed as West Ham United ) played a number of friendly matches under artificial light at their Hermit Road ground during their inaugural season of 1895–96 . These experiments, which included high-profile fixtures against Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion , were set up using engineers and equipment from
9102-484: The old ground was Richmond vs Adelaide in front of 11,174 fans. On 30 October 2009, demolition of the old stadium began. By January 2010, demolition works were complete. Foundations for the grandstands as well as construction for the player and corporate facilities began in May 2010. By October 2010, the eastern grandstand was nearing completion. Just three months later in January 2011 the whole horseshoe-shaped grandstand
9213-607: The redeveloped Brisbane Cricket Ground in 1993. In 1988, Carrara Stadium played host to the very first Touch Football World Cup in which teams from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the USA competed in the Men's, Women's and Mixed Opens, as well as Men's Over 35's divisions. Australia won all four division finals which were all played against New Zealand. The Gold Coast Clippers played their 1989–1990 Australian Baseball League season at Carrara before changing their name to
9324-457: The redevelopment of Carrara Stadium began in December 2009 and the Gold Coast was required to find a new home ground for the 2010 VFL season . The team shared their games among local grounds Fankhauser Reserve , H & A Oval and Cooke-Murphy Oval . The redevelopment ran into the 2011 AFL season and the Gold Coast were again required to find a temporary home ground. The Suns elected to use
9435-404: The remainder of the season. On 21 August 2023, the club announced that three-time Richmond premiership coach Damien Hardwick had signed on as coach of the senior team for six years. In round 10 of the 2024 AFL season the Suns recorded their highest ever total to date, with 26 goals and 8 behinds, amassing a total score of 164 in a 64-point victory over Geelong. On 15 November 2024, ahead of
9546-497: The roof line of the stands. This previously had not been possible as many grounds comprised open terraces and roof lines on covered stands were too low. Elland Road , Old Trafford and Anfield were the first major grounds to do this in the early 1990s. Deepdale , The Galpharm Stadium and the JJB Stadium have since been built with traditional floodlights on pylons. The first rugby league match to be played under floodlights
9657-697: The same year 3rd Lanark RV played an exhibition match against Scottish Cup holders Vale of Leven at the first Cathkin Park , with press reports suggesting the lighting from a Gramme machine was not successful in illuminating the whole field. Subsequent tests over the next month using three Siemens dynamos at the first Hampden Park , Rugby Park in Kilmarnock and at Powderhall Stadium in Edinburgh produced mixed results, in part due to technical issues and weather conditions. Nottingham Forest played
9768-547: The same year, Heritage Bank merged with People's Choice Credit Union based in Adelaide, South Australia to create People First Bank. Therefore, the stadium was renamed People First Stadium in March 2024. The nearest railway station is Nerang , a 25-minute walk from the stadium. On match and event days, special shuttle bus services from Nerang station and Broadbeach serve the stadium. The shuttle buses travel along Route 745,
9879-488: The season and ended the season placed 14th on the ladder. Captain Gary Ablett won his second Brownlow Medal , the first such medalist to win the award at the club. Despite losing veterans Jared Brennan and Campbell Brown ahead of the 2014 season , some experts predicted Gold Coast to "give the top 8 (finals) a nudge", though the general consensus was that the Suns would likely finish around 13th. Though beginning
9990-485: The season promisingly and entering Round 11 with a 7–2 record following impressive wins on the road against Melbourne, North Melbourne (who had defeated minor premiers Sydney three weeks earlier), and St Kilda, the Suns would stumble severely through the second half of the season. After captain Gary Ablett was injured in a win over Collingwood in round 16, the club went on to lose the next two matches, including one in
10101-424: The season while state borders were restricted or closed to interstate travel. The stadium hosted several double-headers, and at the peak of hubbing in round 6, 2020 hosted four senior matches in two days. In all, the ground staged 42 matches in 2020, the most of any ground, and including its first ever finals match. Carrara is the home ground for Australian rules football club the Gold Coast Suns , who compete in
10212-567: The second of their home games in Shanghai at Jiangwan Stadium . This was following the club hosting the first-ever AFL game outside Australia or New Zealand in 2017 in Shanghai. The club took a home game to their academy zone, Townsville at Riverway Stadium in 2019 before signing a deal with AFL NMthern Territory to play a home game in their new academy zone Darwin at TIO Stadium from 2020 to 2024. The match scheduled for Darwin in 2021
10323-599: The stadium. The third and final night of the long weekend saw the Anthony Mundine -Timo Masua boxing match take place at Carrara. On 10 December 2011 the Foo Fighters performed at Carrara and set the all-time attendance record for any event ever held at Carrara Stadium, 37,000 people attended the concert. The stadium is also featured in the Foo Fighters film clip of "These Days". Filming took place during
10434-490: The third quarter, before coming back to win by three points, after Port Adelaide's Justin Westhoff missed a set shot after the siren. Michael Rischitelli was the best on ground. Gold Coast won two more matches for the season, winning the inaugural QClash against Brisbane Lions in Round 7 by eight points (which became the most-watched AFL match on pay television ever), and defeating Richmond by 15 points in Round 17 in
10545-675: The top of a tall pole, to elevate them out of the fielder 's eyeline when the ball is hit high into the air. However, some cricket stadiums have lower-mounted floodlights, particularly if the stadium is shared with other sports. Noel Walsh 's advocacy was pivotal in the spread of floodlights in Gaelic games . When chairman of the Munster Council , Walsh had a pilot project for floodlights at Austin Stack Park in Tralee which "became
10656-428: The venue, defeating Greater Western Sydney by 30 points. Crowds would not reach in excess of 20,000 again until Round 12, 2014, when 21,354 fans watched the Suns take on the Sydney Swans in a game that marked the first time Gary Ablett Jr. and Lance Franklin went head-to-head since defecting from their original clubs, as well as this being Franklin's first match on the Gold Coast as an AFL player. The record crowd
10767-523: The water bombs he had prepared. Carrara also played host to a 50-over match between Queensland and the West Indies on 1 January 1992, which the visitors won by 7 wickets. Carrara hosted its first international cricket match since redevelopment on 17 November 2018 with Australia taking on South Africa in a Twenty20 match in front of 12,866 spectators. Carrara hosted three games during the 2018–19 Big Bash League season , two of those games hosted by
10878-664: Was polo , on 18 July 1878. Ranelagh Club hosted a match in Fulham , London , England against the Hurlingham Club . In August 1879, two matches of Australian rules football were staged at the Melbourne Cricket Ground under electric lights. The first was between two "scratch" teams composed of military personnel. The following week, two of the city's leading football clubs, rivals Carlton and Melbourne , played another night match. On both occasions,
10989-456: Was a strange choice, and the clash guernsey "looked awful". The logo itself features the sun rising over the ocean inside a football. The football shape is cut to represent the letters 'G', 'C' and 'S' for Gold Coast Suns. The word "SUNS" appears under the logo in a custom font. The logo can be seen in the clubs 3 colours, deep red, sunburnt gold and oceanic blue. Gold Coast began playing at Carrara Stadium in their foundation year of 2009. Although
11100-450: Was also given permission (by the AFL) to play David Swallow in 2010, despite not being the correct age. The deal that was struck with the AFL stated that Swallow would still need to go through the 2010 AFL Draft to officially join the team, while the other under age recruits contracts would run through 2011. These are the results and fixture for the 2010 season, in which the club competed in
11211-526: Was announced that the new team would play in the TAC Cup in 2009 and the Victorian Football League in 2010 ahead of its entry into the AFL in 2011. Later that year the board of business-people who had been appointed to set up the club, and were known as the GC17 bid, appointed WAFL coach and former West Coast player Guy McKenna as senior coach. Essendon administrator Travis Auld was selected as head of
11322-527: Was broken in 2014 when 24,032 attended the Suns' Round 16 game against Collingwood, which the Suns won by five points despite losing their captain Gary Ablett to a season-ending shoulder injury. The Gold Coast District Cricket Club was formed in 1990 and shared tenancy of Carrara Stadium with the Brisbane Bears. They would continue to be based at Carrara until 1993 when they moved to Robina . The stadium hosted an international cricket match between Queensland and England in January 1991. Controversy fell over
11433-438: Was completed. By April 2011, the turf had been laid and the 23-by-8.5-metre (75 ft × 28 ft), LED -powered high-definition video board had been installed. The redeveloped stadium cost $ 144.2 million to build and seats 25,000 spectators (with the ability to house an additional 15,000 temporary seats). The stadium features an AFL oval capable of accommodating an ICC-compliant cricket oval, an IAAF Athletics field and
11544-431: Was contracted to complete the fabric roof of the stadium. The stadium was opened for an open day on 22 May 2011, before the first match on 28 May 2011. The ground recorded its biggest ever crowd when 24,032 people watched the Suns play Collingwood in Round 16 of the 2014 AFL season, a game the Suns won by 5 points. The venue hosted the inaugural Grand Final of AFL Women's on 25 March 2017. The Adelaide Crows defeated
11655-519: Was dismantled after the Games and restored back to 25,000. The stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the athletics . The stadium was used extensively during the 2020 AFL season , which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic , as several non-Queensland teams spent extended periods of time in Gold Coast quarantine hubs and played home games at the ground, as a means of carrying on
11766-504: Was formally granted the licence to compete in the AFL on 31 March 2009. AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou announced the club could debut in the Queensland State League in 2009 as it recruited players and prepared for its debut season in the AFL, which the league scheduled for 2011. Marquee AFL players such as Nick Riewoldt , Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett were speculated as potential signings for Gold Coast, though all three men ended up re-signing with their existing clubs. In June 2008 it
11877-483: Was moved however due to COVID-19 and was played as a Suns home game at the Sydney Cricket Ground . In late June, all 18 AFL clubs relocated to Victoria due to various lockdowns due to COVID-19. This resulted in many games being relocated including a Thursday night home game from Metricon Stadium to Marvel Stadium . Brisbane Lions 'hosted' a game at Metricon Stadium against St Kilda as Greater Brisbane
11988-623: Was on 14 December 1932 when Wigan met Leeds in an exhibition match played at White City Stadium in London (8pm kick off). Leeds won 18–9 in front of a crowd of over 10,000 spectators. The venture was such a success that the owners of the White City Ground took over the "Wigan Highfield" club and moved them to play Rugby League games at the ground under floodlights the following season, with most of their matches kicking off on Wednesday Nights at 8pm. That venture only lasted one season before
12099-695: Was one of the best in the world. The ground was owned by the Shire of Albert , which transferred to the Gold Coast City Council when the two local authorities amalgamated in 1995. The field is officially known as Laver Oval after long-time Albert Shire Chairman, Bill Laver. Following the folding of the Gold Coast Seagulls in 1995 a newly formed Gold Coast rugby league team named the Gold Coast Chargers were created and began competing out of Carrara Stadium in 1996. They continued to use
12210-554: Was originally going to be located next to Carrara Stadium but instead was constructed in Southport . The stadium was temporarily upgraded to hold 35,000 people prior to the start of the opening ceremony. The stadium lacked a naming rights sponsor in its formative decades, bearing the names Carrara Stadium and Gold Coast Stadium between its opening in 1987 and 2011. On 15 March 2011, the Gold Coast Football Club announced that nationally active home builder group Metricon Homes had signed
12321-405: Was still considered a red zone under Victorian COVID rules. List of AFL Stadiums Other home grounds used for the Suns include: AFL Pre Season: Fankhauser Reserve (2011, 2013, 2018), Riverway Stadium (2015, 2018), Merrimac Oval (2017), Great Barrier Reef Arena (2017, 2019) AFL Women's: Heritage Bank Stadium (2020-2021), Great Barrier Reef Arena (2020) The AFL Commission owns a majority stake in
#856143