It has had a few names over the years, but one thing that has remained the same about the Heritage Bank Stadium is that it is an excellent venue to watch live entertainment.
Whether that be sports or music, spectators on the ground have witnessed some magic moments over the years.
Who can forget the extravaganza that was the opening and closing ceremony of the 2018 Commonwealth Games?
Or, for that matter, the phenomenal performance of Peter Diacos on August 3rd 1991, when he kicked 13 goals for Collingwood against the Brisbane Bears.
Then, of course, there were all those sixes and home runs hit during the Big Bash League and Australian Baseball League. Yep. The stadium has seen a lot!
But what do you know about it?
In this article, we’ll tell you all about the Heritage Bank Stadium, (or the Metricon as you might better know it). So keep on reading to find out more!
About the Stadium
Heritage Bank Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in the suburb of Carrara on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Formerly known as Carrara Stadium, it has a seating capacity of 25,000 and is primarily used for Australian Rules Football and music concerts.
The stadium opened in 1987 as a venue for the Brisbane Bears AFL team. In 2010, it was extensively renovated and rebranded as Metricon Stadium, with the capacity expanded to 40,000 in preparation for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. However, due to the cost and practicality of maintaining such a large venue, the seating capacity was reduced to 25,000 in 2021, and it was renamed Heritage Bank Stadium.
Heritage Bank Stadium has been the home ground for the Gold Coast Suns Australian Rules Football team since its inception in 2011. In addition to their matches, the stadium also provides facilities for local sports clubs and events. They include several function rooms, a gymnasium, and various indoor sports facilities.
Overall, Heritage Bank Stadium is a significant landmark on the Gold Coast and plays an important role in the community.
What Sports Are Played at the Heritage Bank Stadium?
The stadium is mainly used for Australian rules football and is home to the Gold Coast Suns.
It has also previously hosted home games for North Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions and during the
height of the Covid-19 pandemic was used as a hub for AFL games. It hosted 42 games overall that season. In addition, it also held the inaugural women’s AFL Grand Final when the Adelaide Crows narrowly beat the Lions 35-29 in 2017.
However, as well as being an AFL ground, the stadium has also had cricket played there, with Australia taking on South Africa in a Twenty20 match in 2018. Additionally, the Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Stars have hosted Big Bash League games there too.
The ground has also been the home turf for the Gold Coast Titans in NRL, as well as the Gold Coast Clippers, Daikyo Dolphins and Gold Coast Cougars in baseball. The Nerang Bulls and East Coast Aces have also previously played rugby union games there.
In 1988, the stadium (when it was called Carrara Stadium) was the host of the first-ever Touch Football World Cup. Teams from the USA, Canada, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and, of course, Australia competed for the trophy in four different categories, with Australia winning them all.
Before the Sydney Olympics in 2000, the Brazilian football team also used it as a pre-tournament camp. While the stadium hosted the athletics events of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, including the men’s 100m final, which was won by Yohan Blake from Jamaica.
Other Events
Aside from these sporting matches, the Heritage Bank Stadium has also held several gigs over the years from some of the biggest names in music.
It all kick-started with Kiss in 2001, but since then, the likes of Alice Cooper, the Foo Fighters, Queen & Adam Lambert and Guns n Roses have all played there.
The stadium also hosted the Gold Coast leg of the Big Day Out in 2014, which was headlined by Pearl Jam. While just recently, Harry Styles broke the attendance record when 50,000 people watched his concert on February 28th 2023.
One of the most memorable events held at Heritage Bank Stadium was the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The stadium was transformed into a spectacular venue with a stunning light show, fireworks, and performances by international artists such as Kylie Minogue and Delta Goodrem.
Facilities
Heritage Bank Stadium has a very good range of facilities to cater for its various sporting events and concerts.
While its capacity of 25,000 is relatively small in comparison to other grounds, about 90% of the seats are covered. The seating is also designed to provide unobstructed views of the field. Ensuring that all spectators can enjoy the action from every angle and mostly whilst protected from the elements.
The venue is designed to be easily accessible for people with disabilities. There are several wheelchair seating and accessible amenities available, as well as dedicated drop-off and pick-up areas for people
with disabilities and accessible parking options.
To report on games and events, the stadium boasts state-of-the-art media facilities, including a media room and press box. While off the pitch, it offers a range of indoor sports facilities, including a gymnasium and basketball court. These facilities are available for community use and can be booked for training or competitions.
The stadium also has a range of function rooms available for hire, which can accommodate groups of varying sizes. These rooms are equipped with modern audio-visual equipment and can be configured to suit different event requirements, including conferences, weddings, and private functions.
How to get to the stadium
If you want to get to the stadium for a match or event, the venue is easily reachable from Brisbane and the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales.
Those who are driving, can access the stadium via the Pacific Motorway (M1) and take the Nerang-Broadbeach Road exit. From there, follow the signs to the stadium. The stadium has car parking available, but it can get crowded during major events. You might want to consider the free park-and-ride option at Nerang Train Station instead.
This option is also good if you intend to travel by train from the Sunshine Coast or Brisbane. While you can also take the bus to the Nerang-Broadbeach Road and Gooding Drive bus stop, which is located within walking distance of the stadium.
Should you happen to be staying in the local area, you may be able to walk to the stadium. There are several connecting footpaths and pedestrian crossings in the surrounding area.
Food in ground
The stadium offers a variety of food options for visitors attending matches and events. These include cafes, bars, and kiosks that serve a good selection of food and drink options to cater to different tastes and dietary requirements.
Most food options at the stadium include traditional stadium snacks such as hot dogs, burgers, hot chips and pies, as well as healthier options such as salads and wraps. There are also vegetarian and gluten-free options available.
In addition to food, the stadium has a range of beverage options, including soft drinks, water, beer, and wine. The stadium’s bars serve a range of alcoholic beverages, including local beers and wines.
Accommodation near the ground
If you happen to be watching a night match or event or just want a place to stay for a couple of days so you can explore the Gold Coast in more detail, there is a good range of accommodation near the ground.
One of the best places to stay is the Mercure Gold Coast Resort. It is less than a 10-minute drive from the
stadium and offers a nice range of room options, including suites and villas. The resort has an outdoor pool, tennis courts, and a restaurant on-site for guests to enjoy.
Another good nearby option is the Mantra at Sharks which has both apartments and spacious rooms and counts an outdoor pool, gym, and restaurant among its facilities.
At just a 5-minute drive from the stadium, a stay at the Royal Woods Resort will provide you with the opportunity to stay at upscale villas and apartments, which also come with a swimming pool and spa. While the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa has similar facilities, as well as a location, a 15-minute drive away, in the heart of Surfer’s Paradise.
Good pubs to visit
For those who want to drink before or after the match or event, there are several very good venues you can head to in the surrounding area.
One of the closest is the Parkwood Tavern which is only a 5-minute drive from the stadium in the suburb of Parkwood. It offers a very good range of beers, wines, and spirits, as well as a bistro serving pub-style food.
Within a 15-minute car or taxi ride of the Heritage Bank Stadium, you will also find The Avenue, which is a popular bar and nightclub that features multiple bars, a rooftop terrace, and live entertainment.
Also, a similar distance away is The Broadbeach, which is in the heart of Broadbeach and is known for its fantastic range of craft beers and The Cecil Hotel in Southport, which hosts regular live music events and has a range of international and local beers on tap.
These are just a handful of some of the many other pubs and bars located throughout the Gold Coast area. Overall, there are a host of venues you can visit, all of which have a range of different atmospheres and drink and food options to suit varying preferences.
Quick Stats
Address: Nerang Broadbeach Rd, Carrara QLD 4211
Capacity: 25,000
Opened: 1987
Field size: 158 x 134 metres
Record attendance: 50,000 (Harry Styles concert 2023)