10 July 2025
FROM SURF TO STADIUM: A LOOK BACK AT A YEAR OF GOLD COAST EVENTS
The Gold Coast has cemented its reputation as Australia’s premier events destination, with Experience Gold Coast proudly delivering and supporting a dynamic lineup of events across sport, music, and lifestyle over the last 12 months.
From the global stage of the Lifesaving World Championships in August to the return of The Aussies in March, the city showcased its world-class coastal capabilities. The Pan Pacific Masters Games delivered record participation across 40 sports in venues around the city in November. The Gold Coast delivered for thrill-seekers too, with the Pacific Airshow soaring over the coastline in August and the Gold Coast 500 powering through Surfers Paradise in October — both drawing major crowds and national attention.
International sport lit up Cbus Stadium with the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifier in September and December’s Commbank Matildas v Brazil blockbuster. The Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro surfers hit the Burleigh Heads break for the first time, and Jai Opetaia vs Claudio Squeo IBF & Ring Magazine Cruiserweight World Title Fight brought championship boxing to local fans and visitors alike.
Cultural programming was just as strong, with iconic festivals like Groundwater Country Music Festival in October, Blues on Broadbeach in May, and Cooly Rocks On in June drawing record crowds. The AACTA Awards continued to shine a spotlight on the city’s creative industries, while the Magic Millions delivered its signature mix of sport, fashion and racing. International rock legends Pearl Jam added stadium-scale energy, and the Australian premiere of the world-class Solento Surf Festival brought a fresh lifestyle lens to the city’s surf culture.
Together, these events drove significant visitation, showcased the city’s diversity, and strengthened the Gold Coast’s reputation as a destination where extraordinary experiences happen year-round. The next 12 months is shaping up to be just as massive! To see what’s coming up please visit: EVENT CALENDAR
GOLD COAST MARATHON DELIVERS ANOTHER WORLD-CLASS WEEKEND
The 2025 Gold Coast Marathon once again cemented its reputation as one of Australia’s premier distance running events, attracting nearly 40,000 participants—80% from outside the Gold Coast—and drawing record crowds for a weekend of world-class racing and vibrant community spirit.
Held over the weekend of 5–6 July, the event delivered ideal racing conditions, with clear, sunny skies providing the perfect backdrop for elite athletes and fun runners alike. Course records fell on Super Saturday across the Gold Coast Airport 5km and the Australia Fair 2km Junior Dash, while Victoria’s Andy Buchanan smashed Pat Carroll’s 31-year Australian record in the China Airlines Half Marathon to run the fastest half marathon in Australia at a time of 1:01:08.
On Sunday, a record 15,000 runners took on the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon, with Japan’s Yuki Takei setting a new course record, crossing the line in 2:07:33.
This year’s event also introduced a brand-new activation zone in Cavill Mall, engaging families and spectators in Surfers Paradise with interactive activities and a buzzing event-day atmosphere.
The marathon remains a marquee event on the Gold Coast’s major events calendar, driving international and interstate visitation and showcasing the Gold Coast’s natural beauty, community spirit, and world-class event-hosting capabilities.
BOOMERS TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR GOLD COAST SHOWDOWN
Australian men’s national basketball team, the Boomers have officially named their squad for the highly anticipated clash against the University of Colorado Buffaloes at the Gold Coast Sports & Leisure Centre on Thursday 31 July — and it’s a lineup packed with star power.
Jack McVeigh and Will Magnay - both of whom were members of the Boomers at the 2024 Paris Olympics - headline the 14-man squad, along with Xavier Cooks and Jack White; the quartet bringing differing levels of NBA experience to the group. White is coming off a championship-winning stint with Bayern Munich in Germany’s Bundesliga EuroLeague, and Cooks makes his return to NBL25 at the Sydney Kings after a stint playing in the NBA and Japan. The squad also features Dash Daniels, the 17-year-old Victorian point guard who's currently a projected top-10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft
The match will be the first ever for Boomers Head Coach Adam Caporn and will be an invaluable look at the group as they prepare to take on the best in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Asia Cup title in Saudi Arabia this August.
This exclusive Queensland fixture is set to attract basketball fans from across the state and beyond, delivering a valuable injection into the visitor economy during the winter period. Don’t miss this chance to be part of something big. Tickets are still available at INTIX.
Full Boomers Squad: University of Colorado game 31 July 2025
- Josh Bannan
- Will Hickey
- Xavier Cooks
- Will Magnay
- Dash Daniels
- Sean McDonald
- Owen Foxwell
- Jack McVeigh
- Jaylin Galloway
- Reyne Smith
- Angus Glover
- Harry Wessels
- Ben Henshall
- Jack White
VIEW THE 26 JUNE 2025 EVENTS UPDATE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.