Our History

Construction of the original stadium began in 1986 and opened the following year after the Brisbane Bears were granted a license to play in the VFL. Then known as Carrara Oval, the highest crowd recorded in that era was in 1989 when 18,198 people watched the Bears play Geelong. However crowds dwindled and the Bears moved to the Gabba in Brisbane in 1993. The ground was left without a major tenant and was sold to the Gold Coast City Council. The ground occasionally played host to Rugby League games and in 1996, the Gold Coast Chargers moved full-time to the stadium until 1998 when they were kicked out from the ARL. The venue had main grandstands on either side of the ground, and grassed areas and seating behind the goals, with a total capacity of around 18,000 including 5,300 undercover seats.

Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast re-opened in mid-2011 following a $144 million major redevelopment into a 22,500-seat stadium for the Gold Coast Suns AFL expansion club.

The venue also served as the main stadium for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, hosting the athletics, opening and closing ceremonies. Capacity was extended to 40,000 for the Games with the addition of a temporary grandstand at the scoreboard end. All that remains of the old stadium are the six light towers with everything else flattened. Original plans were for two main grandstands on either side with uncovered seating behind both goals, however additional funding allowed for the roof to continue around the Southern end.The major redevelopment transformed the old Carrara Stadium into a world-class venue.

Queen + Adam Lambert: The Rhapsody Tour 2020
February 2020 saw 40,000 people pack Cararra Stadium to see Queen + Adam Lambert bring the house down!

Heritage Bank becomes naming rights sponsors for Carrarra Stadium

Harry Styles performs at the recently renamed Heritage Bank Stadium to more then 50 000 fans

November 4th Paul McCartney brings his Got Back Tour to the Gold Coast entertaining a crowd of 30 000+

Following the merger of Heritage Bank and People’s Choice Credit Union, Heritage Bank Stadium was renamed People First Stadium, becoming one of the first public displays of the new mutual bank brand.

P!NK Summer Carnival lands on the Gold Coast, performing to over 45 000 fans at People First Stadium

After nearly a decade, Pearl Jam returned to Australia performing their first show down under on the Gold Coast at People First Stadium