The Ultimate Gold Coast Guide For Sports Fans

Whether you’re cheering from the sidelines or jumping into the action yourself, this city lives and breathes sport. The Gold Coast’s epic weather and active, outdoor lifestyle makes it a natural fit for sports fans – both locals and visitors.

From skateboarding and surfing heart-pounding live events that’ll give you goosebumps, here’s the ultimate guide to the Gold Coast for sports lovers.

Skateboarding on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is a favourite with skaters due to the huge number of skate parks scattered through the suburbs. The weather (especially in winter) is ideal for outdoor activities and skate parks are often community hubs where you’ll find young kids learning to ride the pump track, alongside seasoned pros shredding the bowl. Every kind of rider is welcome to have a roll.

Hone your skate skills at top-tier outdoor skate parks like Olympic-level Pizzey Park Skate Park (pictured) or Tugun Skate Park which boast an array of ramps (quarter and half pipes), rails and ledges. 

When the weather turns, head to indoor park Level Up in Currumbin Waters. The world-class training facility and academy offers mentoring and classes for kids through to adults – and a dry place to skate when it’s raining. You might even catch GC locals—and Olympic skateboarding gold medallists—Arisa Trew and Keegan Palmer tearing up the concrete.

Pizzey Park: Bardon Avenue, Miami
Tugun Skate Park: Boyd Street, Tugun
Level Up: 8 Coghill Drive, Currumbin Waters

Surfing on the Gold Coast

Surfing is first sport that springs to mind when you think of Gold Coast. Our peeling point breaks and stunning coastline are made for riding waves. 

Case in point? It’s the home of 8x world surfing champ Steph Gilmore and 3x world champ Mick Fanning. Don’t be surprised if you catch them carving up the waves at Snapper Rocks, Rainbow Bay or Greenmount Point. There are plenty of Gold Coast surf spots along the stretch from Coolangatta up to South Strabroke Island. If you’re a beginner, the protected waters of Currumbin Alley are an ideal training ground, with a bunch of surf schools set up on the sand. 

 

Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro

In May each year you can witness the world’s best surfers battle it out at Snapper Rocks when the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro comes to town. This is elite surfing at its best and to see the pros do their thing on the perfect, reeling waves of the infamous Super Bank is a surfing fan’s dream! 

On a good day, up to 10,000 spectators get down to the beach to watch the action in the water and there’s a high vibing atmosphere at the event site, with activations, commentating and an awards ceremony to crown the winners of the Men’s and Women’s competition.

Gold Coast Golf 

Channel Gold Coaster and six-time LPGA Tour winner Amy Yang and tee off at one of the Gold Coast’s 35 lush courses. Almost all of them are open to the public and many are designed by legends like Greg Norman, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus. Consider this your hit list. 

For the full experience, stay where you play and check into RACV Royal Pines Resort. Home to a Championship course, it also boasts top-notch restaurants, a stunning pool, and a spa to soothe post-game muscles.
Location: Ross Street, Benowa

KDV Sports in Carrara is your one-stop shop for all things golf. Tackle a challenging course suited to everyone from beginners to pros, hit the driving range to sharpen your swing, enjoy mini golf with the whole family, or take a lesson with an experienced coach.
Location: 221 Nerang Broadbeach Road, Carrara

Topgolf is a unique golfing challenge that brings the party to the driving range, with cocktails, towering burgers, and loaded nachos served straight to your private booth. Practice your swing, compete with friends in various games to test your skills, and soak up the fun vibes with music flowing throughout the multi-storey venue.  
Location: Corner Roadway Way and Entertainment Drive, Oxenford

 

Running on the Gold Coast

With a backyard as stunning as ours, running—whether you sprint, jog, or power walk—is a must on the Gold Coast. Follow the coastal path for a breathtaking sunrise or join a local run club that often wraps with a smooth brew or fresh smoothie at a nearby cafe.

If you want to take your run to the next level, why not sign up for one of the Gold Coast’s biggest running festivals? 

Happening 5 - 6 July and back for its 45th year, the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon draws athletes from around the world to tackle a calf-burning 42.195km run along the coast. There’s also a 5km, 10km, and a 2km Junior Dash for those chasing shorter goals.

Held on October 11 – 12,   Fisiocrem GC50 Run Festival, a weekend celebrating runners of all skill levels. There’s a 5km, 10km twilight run, half marathon and 50km ultra to tackle, plus the Coolangatta race hub offers live entertainment, a food court and beer garden to celebrate your new PB at. 

Mountain Biking

Get your adrenaline pumping on two wheels with a spin around one the Gold Coast’s epic mountain biking trails. Hit up Boomerang Farm Bike Park, where for just $25 (for non-members) you can explore this dirt paradise. You can rent a bike and have it dropped there before hitting up a labyrinth of trails, like Green Machine (great for beginners) and Alter Ego, a black diamond track for advanced MTB riders. 

Nerang National Park offers 60km of rugged, mostly unmarked trails. Popular trails include Pete’s, Three Hills and Barneys. For something trickier, head to Lost World, while beginners will appreciate the fun flow of Goanna Loop. 

55 Johns Road, Mudgeeraba, 4213

Major Gold Coast Sporting Events

 

Pan Pacific Games 

Spanning Coomera to Carrara, this biennial multi-sport event—featuring everything from basketball to boxing—celebrates athletes aged 30 and over. Mark 6–15 November 2026 in your calendar and get ready for goosebumps. 

 

GC 500

International supercars roar into Surfers Paradise this 24 - 26 October when the Boost Mobile Gold Coast Round returns for Round 11 of the 2025 calendar. 

The Australian Surf Life Saving Championship

Affectionately known as The Aussies, from 21-29 March members from Australia’s 315 Surf Clubs will converge on the sand at North Kirra to compete in more than 480 beach and ocean events. 

 

2032 Olympics & Paralympics

The Gold Coast will host 14 sport disciplines (including volleyball, soccer and triathlons) for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, across the Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre, Gold Coast Stadium, Broadbeach Park Stadium and Southport Broadwater Parklands.

 

Gold Coast Stadiums & Sporting Venues

 

People First Stadium 

Home to the much-loved GC Suns AFL team, this 27,500 seat-stadium plays host to AFL games, cricket matches, festivals and concerts—even Harry Styles played here. 
Location: Nerang Broadbeach Road, Carrara

 

Cbus Super Stadium

This sprawling Robina stadium is the Gold Coast Titans home ground, with many a nail-biting NRL battle taking place here. It’s also a mecca for huge concerts (think: Pearl Jam), as well as goosebump-inducing shows like Monster Jam and World Supercross. 
Location: Centreline Place, Robina

 

Gold Coast Aquatic Centre

Located in Southport, this world-class aquatic centre has hosted top local and international swimmers and divers—including during the 2018 Commonwealth Games. With five pools, a fitness centre, and swim lessons on offer, it’s the perfect spot to train or take a dip.
Location: Marine Parade, Southport

 

Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium

Nestled within the Gold Coast Sports Precinct, this multipurpose facility can host up to 1,600 fans, cheering on everyone from the Gold Coast Rollers basketball team to the Gold Coast Titans Netball.
296 Nerang Broadbeach Road, Carrara