View source for Carrara Stadium

{{Short description|Stadium on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=December 2012}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Carrara Stadium<br /><small>People First Stadium</small>
| nickname = 
| logo_image = People First Stadium logo.png
| image = [[File:Carrara_Stadium.png|300px]]
| location = [[Carrara, Queensland|Carrara]], [[Queensland]]
| coordinates = {{coord|28|00|23|S|153|22|2|E|display=it}}
| caption = '''Stadiums Queensland Rating:'''<br>{{rating|6.7|10|size=15px}}<ref>{{cite web |date=2018 |title=Stadium Taskforce Report |url=https://www.dts.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/1538746/stadiumtaskforcereportpart1.pdf |url-status=live|website=dts.qld.gov.au |publisher=[[Queensland Government]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407134705/https://www.dts.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/1538746/stadiumtaskforcereportpart1.pdf |archive-date=7 April 2024 }}</ref>
| broke_ground = 1986
| opened = 1987 (Redeveloped 2010–2011)
| closed = 
| demolished = 
| owner = [[Queensland Government]]
| operator = Stadiums Queensland
| surface = Grass
| construction_cost = 
| architect = [[Populous (company)|Populous]] (2010)
| seating_capacity = Concerts: 50,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mygc.com.au/gold-coasts-queen-concert-deemed-a-7m-success/|title=Gold Coast's QUEEN concert deemed a $7M success|date=2 March 2020 |publisher=myGC.com.au|access-date=5 March 2020}}</ref><br />[[Australian Football League|AFL]]: 25,000<ref>{{cite web |title=Metricon Stadium |url=https://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/metricon-stadium |website=Austadiums |access-date=14 August 2022}}</ref><br />[[Cricket]]: 21,000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/cricket/brisbane-heat-keen-to-expand-reach-to-gold-coast/news-story/84665ca154a3d919b101732b2d50fc63|title=Brisbane Heat keen to expand reach to Gold Coast|publisher=Gold Coast Bulletin|access-date=7 March 2020}}</ref>
| former_names = Laver Oval<br />Carrara Oval<br />Gold Coast Stadium<br />Metricon Stadium<br />Heritage Bank Stadium
| dimensions = {{cvt|161 x 134|m}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Atkinson |first1=Cody |last2=Lawson |first2=Sean |title=From the SCG to Kardinia Park — do ground sizes contribute to the end result in AFL games? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-16/cody-and-sean-afl-analysis-how-much-do-ground-sizes-matter/101154950 |website=ABC News |date=15 June 2022 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=19 February 2024}}</ref>
| website = [https://heritagebankstadium.com.au/ heritagebankstadium.com.au]
| tenants = '''Australian Rules'''

[[Gold Coast Football Club|Gold Coast Suns]] ([[Australian Football League|AFL]]) (2011–present)<br />
[[Gold Coast Suns#AFL Women's team|Gold Coast Suns Women]] ([[AFL Women's|AFLW]]) (2020–present)<br />[[Melbourne Football Club]] ([[Australian Football League|AFL]]) (2006)<br />
[[North Melbourne Football Club]] ([[Australian Football League|AFL]]) (2007–2008)<br />
[[Brisbane Bears]] ([[Australian Football League|AFL]]) (1987–1992)<br />
[[Brisbane Lions]] ([[Australian Football League|AFL]])
(2021)<br />
[[Carlton Football Club]] ([[Australian Football League|AFL]]) (2009)<br />
[[Richmond Football Club]] ([[Australian Football League|AFL]]) (2009)<br />
[[St Kilda Football Club]] ([[Australian Football League|AFL]]) (2009)

'''Cricket'''

[[Australia cricket team]] (2018–present)<br />
[[Brisbane Heat]] ([[Big Bash League|BBL]]) (2019–)<br />[[Melbourne Stars]] ([[Big Bash League|BBL]]) (2019–)

'''Rugby League'''

[[Gold Coast Chargers]] ([[National Rugby League|ARL/NRL]]) (1996–1998)<br />
[[Gold Coast Titans]] ([[National Rugby League|NRL]]) (2007)

'''Rugby Union'''

[[Nerang Bulls RUC|Nerang Bulls]] ([[Rugby Union]]) (1983–1986)<br />
[[East Coast Aces]] ([[Australian Rugby Championship|ARU]]) (2007)

'''Baseball'''

[[Gold Coast Clippers]] ([[Australian Baseball League (1989-1999)|ABL]]) (1989–1990)<br />
[[Daikyo Dolphins]] ([[Australian Baseball League (1989-1999)|ABL]]) (1992–1993)<br />
[[East Coast Cougars]]/[[Gold Coast Cougars]] ([[Australian Baseball League (1989-1999)|ABL]]) (1993–1999)
| embedded = {{Infobox cricket ground
| embed=yes
| end1 = Nerang River,  Nerang-Broadbeach Road End (AFL)
| end2 = Broadbeach End, Hinterland End (Cricket)
| international = true
| firsttestdate = 
| firsttestyear =
| firsttesthome = 
| firsttestaway = 
| lasttestdate =
| lasttestyear =
| lasttesthome =
| lasttestaway =
| onlyodidate =
| onlyodiyear =
| onlyodihome =
| onlyodiaway =
| firstt20idate = 17 November
| firstt20iyear = 2018
| firstt20ihome = Australia
| firstt20iaway = South Africa
| lastt20idate =6 November
| lastt20iyear = 2025
| lastt20ihome = Australia
| lastt20iaway = India
| onlywtestdate = 30 September–3 October
| onlywtestyear = 2021
| onlywtesthome = Australia
| onlywtestaway = India
| firstwt20idate = 7 October
| firstwt20iyear = 2021
| firstwt20ihome = Australia
| firstwt20iaway = India
| lastwt20idate = 10 October
| lastwt20iyear = 2021
| lastwt20ihome = Australia
| lastwt20iaway = India
| date = 5 October
| year = 2022
| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/ground/56383.html Cricinfo
}}
}}
'''Carrara Stadium''', currently known as '''People First Stadium''' under [[naming rights|sponsorship reasons]], is a stadium on the [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]] in [[Queensland]], [[Australia]], located in the suburb of [[Carrara, Queensland|Carrara]].<ref name="Metricon Stadium">{{cite web|url=https://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/metricon-stadium#:~:text=The%20stadium%20is%20a%20Stadium's,and%20also%20Gold%20Coast%20Stadium.|title=Metricon Stadium|access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref>

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 the entry of the [[Brisbane Bears]] to the [[Australian Football League|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 (sport)|athletics]] competitions. The venue would host Cricket for the [[2032 Summer Olympics]] if Cricket is approved by the [[International Olympic Committee]].<ref name="Metricon Stadium"/>

==History==
{{See also|Gold Coast Sports Precinct}}

===Early history===
In 1983, the [[Nerang Bulls RUC|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, Queensland|Nerang]] in 1985.

On 7 October 1986, it was announced that [[Australian rules football]] club the [[Brisbane Bears]] had been granted a licence to enter the [[Victorian Football League]] for the [[1987 VFL season]].<ref name="No longer a white elephant">{{cite news|last=Smart|first=Nick|title=No longer a white elephant|newspaper=Gold Coast Bulletin|date=27 May 2011}}</ref> 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, the [[Fitzroy Football Club|Fitzroy Lions]] defeated the Brisbane Bears in the first VFL game played at Carrara Oval, before a crowd of 17,795.<ref name="No longer a white elephant" /><ref name="rleague AFL stats">{{cite web|title=AFL Tables – Crowds – Carrara|url=http://afltables.com/afl/crowds/vn_carrara.html|publisher=rleague|access-date=28 May 2011}}</ref> (The [[Brisbane Lions]] website records the crowd unofficially as 22,684.)<ref>[http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/23736/default.aspx 1965–1996: The Spirit Burns Brightly] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605110412/http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/23736/default.aspx |date=5 June 2012 }}</ref>

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 [[floodlight]]s costing $6 million, which were never paid for.<ref name="Breaking the curse of Carrara">{{cite news|last=Houghton|first=Des|title=Breaking the curse of Carrara|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/spike/columnists/breaking-the-curse-of-carrara/story-e6frereo-1225899937592|access-date=18 September 2012|newspaper=The Courier Mail|date=2 August 2010}}</ref> With 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 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".<ref name="Breaking 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 the redeveloped [[the Gabba|Brisbane Cricket Ground]] in 1993.<ref name="No longer a white elephant" />

In 1988, Carrara Stadium played host to the very first [[Touch Football World Cup]]<ref name="No longer a white elephant" /> 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]]<ref name="No longer a white elephant" /> played their 1989–1990 [[Australian Baseball League (1989-1999)|Australian Baseball League]] season at Carrara before changing their name to the [[Daikyo Dolphins]] and moving to nearby [[Palm Meadows]]. For the 1992–93 season, they moved back to Carrara as the [[Gold Coast Cougars]].<ref name="No longer a white elephant" /> The Cougars stayed at Carrara until the abolition of the Australian Baseball League in 1999. The [[Brazil national under-23 football team|Brazilian football team]] set up camp at Carrara Stadium for pre-tournament training before the [[2000 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Keen interest in Japan & Brazil|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2000/08/28/keen-interest-japan-brazil|agency=Australian Associated Press|date=28 August 2000}}</ref> The Brazilians later commented that the surface at Carrara was one of the best in the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=Talks fail to quell sniping in Gold Coast turf war|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/talks-fail-to-quell-sniping-in-gold-coast-turf-war/2006/08/06/1154802755426.html?page=2|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=6 August 2007}}</ref>

[[File:Carrara stadium.jpg|thumb|The stadium prior to redevelopment]]

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.

===Growth===
Following the folding of the [[Gold Coast Seagulls]] in 1995<ref name="No longer a white elephant" /> 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 the ground until the end of the [[National Rugby League season 1998|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,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.titans.com.au/pages/page.php?page=28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104030436/http://www.titans.com.au/pages/page.php?page=28|title=From Chargers to Titans, the story since 1998|archive-date=4 January 2007}}</ref> and NRL premiership matches played in 2001 and 2005. The ground's capacity was increased slightly during this time.

In 2005 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<ref name="No longer a white elephant" /> until the completion of the [[Robina Stadium]], which was opened in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.titans.com.au/pages/page.php?page=36|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310204731/http://www.titans.com.au/pages/page.php?page=36|archive-date=10 March 2007|title=Carrara, Gold Coast Stadium}}</ref> In response to the NRL move, the AFL scheduled three AFL 'home games' for the [[North Melbourne Football Club]] and a [[Australian Football League pre-season competition|NAB Cup]] match for Carrara in 2007, and the [[Queensland State League (Australian rules football)|Queensland State League]] began hosting grand finals there. The Titans would play ten games at Carrara in 2007 and miss the finals. Following the conclusion of the [[2007 NRL season]], Titans managing director [[Michael Searle (rugby league)|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2007/11/17/5006_gold-coast-sport.html|title=Carrara a 'black hole', says Searle}}</ref>

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]] the [[Australian Football League|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 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.<ref name="Empty seats force AFL to pull plug">{{cite news|last=Barrett|first=Damian|title=Empty seats force AFL to pull plug|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/teams/empty-seats-force-afl-to-pull-plug/story-e6frf9m6-1111116397227|access-date=28 May 2009|newspaper=Herald Sun|date=21 May 2008}}</ref>

[[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]], [[Richmond Football Club|Richmond]] and [[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]] subsequently hosted the remaining home games during the 2009 season.

===Redevelopment===
[[File:Sunny Carrara Stadium.jpg|thumb|View of the field and grandstand]]
[[File:Adelaide v Gold Coast - Carrara videoboard.jpg|thumb|The videoboard.]]
[[File:Carrara Stadium 18-03-23.jpg|thumb|Fans allowed on the field following the completion of the {{AFL GC}} vs {{AFL Syd}} match in 2023]]
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]].<ref name="Canberra kicks in $36m for Coast AFL stadium">{{cite news|last=Rogers|first=Jenny|title=Canberra kicks in $36m for Coast AFL stadium|url=http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/05/07/76535_gold-coast-afl.html|access-date=28 May 2011|newspaper=Gold Coast Bulletin|date=7 May 2009}}</ref> The last event at the old ground was Richmond vs Adelaide in front of 11,174 fans. On 30 October 2009, demolition of the old stadium began.<ref name="Redevelopment begins">{{cite web|title=Carrara Stadium redevelopment gets underway|url=http://www.austadiums.com/news/news.php?id=410|publisher=Austadiums|access-date=28 May 2011|date=30 October 2009}}</ref> By January 2010, demolition works were complete.<ref name="Redevelopment timeline">{{cite news|title=Timeline to birth of an AFL jewel|newspaper=Gold Coast Bulletin|date=27 May 2011}}</ref> Foundations for the grandstands as well as construction for the player and corporate facilities began in May 2010.<ref name="Redevelopment timeline" /> By October 2010, the eastern grandstand was nearing completion.<ref name="Redevelopment timeline" /> Just three months later in January 2011 the whole [[horseshoe-shaped]] grandstand was completed.<ref name="Redevelopment timeline" /> By April 2011, the turf had been laid and the {{convert|23|x|8.5|m|ft|adj=on}}, [[LED]]-powered [[High-definition video|high-definition video board]] had been installed.<ref name="Redevelopment timeline" /><ref name="Room to a unique view">{{cite news|last=Smart|first=Nick|title=Room to a unique view|newspaper=Gold Coast Bulletin|date=27 May 2011}}</ref>

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).<ref name="Coast scores AFL stadium">{{cite news|last=Smart|first=Nick|title=Coast scores AFL stadium|url=http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/05/08/76995_gold-coast-news.html|access-date=28 May 2011|newspaper=Gold Coast Bulletin|date=8 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="Games bid vital to Gold Coast's health">{{cite news|title=Games bid vital to Gold Coast's health|url=http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2011/05/13/314975_commonwealth-games.html|access-date=28 May 2011|newspaper=Gold Coast Bulletin|date=13 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="Welcome to Metricon Stadium">{{cite news|title=Welcome to Metricon Stadium|newspaper=Gold Coast Bulletin|date=28 May 2011}}</ref> The stadium features an AFL oval capable of accommodating an ICC-compliant cricket oval, an IAAF Athletics field and 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.<ref name="Watpac wins Carrara Stadium work">{{cite web|last=Battenbough |first=Gemma |title=Watpac wins Carrara Stadium work |url=http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/article/Watpac-wins-Carrara-Stadium-work/493622.aspx |publisher=Architecture & Design |access-date=28 May 2011 |date=7 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706101120/http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/article/Watpac-wins-Carrara-Stadium-work/493622.aspx |archive-date=6 July 2011}}</ref> [[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 international rules football team|Ireland]] defeat [[Australia international rules football team|Australia]] by 50 points to 29.<ref name="Watpac wins Carrara Stadium work"/> MakMax Australia was contracted to complete the fabric roof of the stadium.<ref name="MakMax to top off Gold Coast stadium">{{cite web|title=MakMax to top off Gold Coast stadium |url=http://www.bpn.com.au/Article/MakMax-to-top-off-Gold-Coast-stadium/519722.aspx |publisher=Building Products News |access-date=28 May 2011 |date=1 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706102428/http://www.bpn.com.au/Article/MakMax-to-top-off-Gold-Coast-stadium/519722.aspx |archive-date=6 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="Final piece of puzzle exceeds expectations">{{cite news|last=Smart|first=Nick|title=Final piece of puzzle exceeds expectations|newspaper=Gold Coast Bulletin|date=27 May 2011}}</ref> The stadium was opened for an open day on 22 May 2011, before the first match on 28 May 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rugari |first=Vince |title=Suns' stadium set to go |url=http://www.sportal.com.au/afl-news-display/suns-stadium-set-to-go-122790 |publisher=Sportal |access-date=28 May 2011 |date=17 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521204941/http://www.sportal.com.au/afl-news-display/suns-stadium-set-to-go-122790 |archive-date=21 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="Gold Coast's first Carrara match set for sell-out" /> The ground recorded its biggest ever crowd when 24,032 people watched the Suns play {{AFL Col}} in Round 16 of the 2014 AFL season, a game the Suns won by 5 points.

The venue hosted the [[2017 AFL Women's Grand Final|inaugural Grand Final]] of [[AFL Women's]] on 25 March 2017. The [[Adelaide Football Club|Adelaide Crows]] defeated 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 [[the Gabba|Brisbane Cricket Ground]], was unavailable. A men's [[QClash]] took place at Carrara Stadium on the same evening.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-grand-final-to-be-played-at-metricon-stadium-between-brisbane-lions-and-adelaide/news-story/3ee8c064c43dab467653cc0b53b5cf95|title=AFLW grand final to be played at Metricon Stadium between Brisbane Lions and Adelaide|publisher=Fox Sports Australia|first=Sarah|last=Olle|date=20 March 2017|access-date=20 March 2017}}</ref>

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 was dismantled after the Games and restored back to 25,000. The stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the [[Athletics at the 2018 Commonwealth Games|athletics]].<ref name="CommGamesRedevelopment1">{{cite web|url=http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/afl/excavations-works-begin-on-gold-coasts-metricon-stadium-for-2018-commonwealth-games/news-story/bb6188d1e7cdda4610dfccf53628ffbd|title=Excavations works begin on Gold Coast's Metricon Stadium for 2018 Commonwealth Games|work=Gold Coast Bulletin|date=13 September 2017}}</ref><ref name="CommGamesRedevelopment2">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/commonwealth-games/43641418|title=Commonwealth Games: Gold Coast event starts with colourful opening ceremony|work=BBC Sport|date=4 April 2018}}</ref>

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 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 [[2020 AFL season#Round 6|round 6, 2020]] hosted four senior matches in two days.<ref name="resumption">{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/433640/revealed-afl-s-first-day-back-full-contact-training-more-covid-tests|title=REVEALED: AFL's first day back, full-contact training, more COVID tests|date=15 May 2020|access-date=15 May 2020|publisher=Australian Football League|author1=Damian Barrett|author2=Mitch Cleary}}</ref><ref name=VIChubs>{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/460394/fixture-rewrite-vic-clubs-forced-north-for-r6-7-return-date-unknown|title=Fixture rewrite: Vic clubs forced north for R6-7, return date unknown|work=AFL.com.au|date=3 July 2020}}</ref> In all, the ground staged 42 matches in 2020, the most of any ground, and including its first ever finals match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://afltables.com/afl/crowds/2020.html|title=Attendances 2020|publisher=AFL Tables|access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref>

==Stadium uses==
Carrara is the home ground for [[Australian rules football]] club the [[Gold Coast Suns]], who compete in the [[Australian Football League]] (AFL), and also hosts events such as junior representative championships and [[Queensland Australian Football League|QAFL]] games.

===Gold Coast Suns===
[[File:Adelaide v Gold Coast - Carrara media facilities.jpg|thumb|Media facilities at Carrara Stadium.]]
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.<ref name="SUNS official website">{{cite web|title=Gold Coast SUNS {{!}} AFL – Home|url=http://goldcoastfc.com.au/|publisher=Gold Coast Suns|access-date=28 May 2011}}</ref> The Gold Coast City Council also contributed $20 million<ref>[http://www.goldcoastbusinessnews.com.au/process/myviews/gcbn_article.html?articleId=1411 GCCC to commit $20M to Carrara stadium] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230042618/http://www.goldcoastbusinessnews.com.au/process/myviews/gcbn_article.html?articleId=1411 |date=30 December 2014 }}</ref> and the AFL $10 million.<ref name="Green light for Gold Coast">{{cite web|last=Walsh |first=Gary |title=Green light for Gold Coast |url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/74077/default.aspx |publisher=AFL |access-date=28 May 2011 |date=31 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006110513/http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/74077/default.aspx |archive-date=6 October 2012}}</ref>

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]].<ref name="Welcome to Metricon Stadium" /><ref name="Gold Coast's first Carrara match set for sell-out">{{cite news|last=Whiting |first=Michael |title=Gold Coast's first Carrara match set for sell-out |url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/114245/default.aspx |access-date=28 May 2011 |newspaper=AFL |date=19 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526192535/http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/114245/default.aspx |archive-date=26 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="Suns want Irish game at Carrara">{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=Caroline|title=Suns want Irish game at Carrara|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/suns-want-irish-game-at-carrara-20110509-1eft8.html|access-date=28 May 2011|newspaper=The Age|date=10 May 2011}}</ref> The Suns lost the match against {{AFL Gee}} by 66 points. A round 18 game against [[2010 AFL Grand Final|2010 premiers]] {{AFL Col}} attracted a then-record crowd of 23,302, selling out two months before game day.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/newsfeatures/news/newsarticle/tabid/5586/newsid/114592/default.aspx |title=Gold Coast ticketing update – Official AFL Website of the Collingwood Football Club |access-date=2 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526212412/http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/newsfeatures/news/newsarticle/tabid/5586/newsid/114592/default.aspx |archive-date=26 May 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On Saturday 11 August 2012, the Suns won their first game at the venue, defeating {{AFL GWS}} 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.<ref>[http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/10/31/the-must-see-games-in-the-2015-afl-season/ The must-see games in the 2015 AFL season], ''The Roar'', 31 October 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news/2014-06-24/gold-coast-suns-set-to-break-crowd-record Gold Coast SUNS set to break crowd record], Gold Coast Football Club official website, 24 June 2014</ref> The record crowd 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.<ref>[http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/07/05/suns-lose-ablett-beat-magpies/ Suns lose Ablett but beat Magpies], ''The Roar'', 5 July 2014</ref>

===Cricket===

The [[Gold Coast District Cricket Club]] was formed in 1990 and shared tenancy of Carrara Stadium with the Brisbane Bears.<ref>[http://www.goldcoastdolphins.com.au/content.aspx?file=13710|37130q GCDCC: History<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> They would continue to be based at Carrara until 1993 when they moved to [[Robina, Queensland|Robina]]. The stadium hosted an international [[cricket]] match between [[Queensland cricket team|Queensland]] and [[England cricket team|England]] in January 1991. Controversy fell over the ground when touring English players [[David Gower]] and [[John Morris (cricketer, born 1964)|John Morris]] chose to go for a joy-ride in two [[de Havilland Tiger Moth|Tiger moth biplanes]] without telling the England team management and buzzed the stadium in the middle of play.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/232946.html|title=When Gower's tour took off|last=Williamson|first=Martin|date=14 January 2006|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=5 March 2009}}</ref> 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 the water bombs he had prepared.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/cricket/remembering-david-gowers-famous-1991-tiger-moth-flight/news-story/92fc39d5ec5646554de93d0992ae2c8e|title=Remembering David Gower's famous 1991 Tiger Moth flight|last=Williamson|first=Martin|date=16 November 2018|work=Courier Mail|access-date=18 November 2018}}</ref> Carrara also played host to a 50-over match between Queensland and the [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]] on 1 January 1992, which the visitors won by 7 wickets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/55/55286.html|title=Queensland v West Indies - 1 January 1992|publisher=Cricket Archive|access-date=10 November 2019}}</ref>

Carrara hosted its first international cricket match since redevelopment on 17 November 2018 with [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] taking on [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]] in a [[Twenty20]] match in front of 12,866 spectators.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.austadiums.com/sport/event.php?eventid=21032|title=T20I: Australia v South Africa {{!}} Austadiums|website=www.austadiums.com|access-date=2018-11-18}}</ref> Carrara hosted three games during the [[2018–19 Big Bash League season]], two of those games hosted by the [[Brisbane Heat]] and the other game hosted by the [[Melbourne Stars]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/big-bash-league-kfc-bbl08-schedule-fixture-broadcast-tv-radio-christmas-eve-tickets/2018-07-18|title=Big Bash League fixture revealed|work=cricket.com.au|access-date=2018-07-18|language=en}}</ref>  The stadium remains a potential future home ground for a Gold Coast-based [[Big Bash League]] side that enters the competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/big-bash-boss-believes-expansion-gold-coast-is-natural-fit-for-a-twenty20-franchise/news-story/469aeb7eea262168f3d31cc5884d465c|title=Big Bash boss believes expansion Gold Coast is 'natural fit' for a Twenty20 franchise|publisher=news.com.au|first=Ben|last=Dorries|date=6 October 2016|access-date=6 October 2016}}</ref><ref>[http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/teams/gold-coast/the-gold-coast-suns-want-their-own-big-bash-league-franchise-when-the-competition-expands/news-story/7fdb9e0a829a58cdb6f51e016b85d998 The Gold Coast Suns want their own Big Bash League franchise when the competition expands]</ref>

Carrara Stadium was selected to host all [[Brisbane Heat]] home finals in the [[2023–24 Big Bash League season|2023-2024 Big Bash League]] season. The first final (The Qualifier) is set to be hosted at Carrara with another to be played on the 22nd (The Challenger). This is due to the [[West Indian cricket team in Australia in 2023–24|Australia vs West Indies]] test match being hosted at [[The Gabba]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-28 |title=Finals Venues Approved {{!}} Brisbane Heat |url=https://www.brisbaneheat.com.au/news/3840185/finals-venues-approved |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=www.brisbaneheat.com.au |language=en}}</ref> The Qualifier final against the [[Sydney Sixers]] attracted a Gold Coast cricket record crowd of 20,191 spectators.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.austadiums.com/sport/event/28490|title=BBL: Qualifier - Heat v Sixers|website= {{!}} Austadiums|access-date= 19 January 2024}}</ref>

===Musical acts===
Carrara hosted a triple header of entertainment events on the Easter long weekend in 2001. The first night saw [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] perform and become the first international act to play at 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.<ref name="Ace went down swinging with Kiss">{{cite web|last=Swansick|first=Tristan|title=Ace went down swinging with Kiss|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/ace-went-down-swinging-with-kiss/story-fn6cc53j-1226187095040|access-date=20 November 2011|date=7 November 2011}}</ref> 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 the stadium.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bon Jovi to rock Gold Coast AFL stadium on 2018 Australian tour|url=https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/entertainment/bon-jovi-to-rock-gold-coast-afl-stadium-on-2018-australian-tour/news-story/0e3db368f980debf9954e4943695af9b|date=15 September 2017}}</ref> 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 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]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Metricon Stadium to host SandTunes|url=https://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news/2019-09-03/metricon-stadium-to-host-sandtunes|date=3 September 2019}}</ref>

[[Queen + Adam Lambert]] played at the stadium on 29 February 2020 in the final concert of their Australian leg of [[The Rhapsody Tour]] and pulled a record crowd of 40,000 attendees.<ref>{{cite news|title=Queen Gold Coast: Metricon Stadium treated to incredible show|url=https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/entertainment/queen-gold-coast-metricon-stadium-treated-to-incredible-show/news-story/73c1e7e040a78c61e22407da318840af|newspaper=Gold Coast Bulletin|date=29 February 2020}}</ref> In November 2020, it was announced [[Guns N' Roses]] would play at the stadium on 6 November 2021.<ref>{{cite news|title=Guns N' Roses announce 2021 Australian stadium tour|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/tours/guns-n-roses-announce-2021-australian-stadium-tour/news-story/4b86bf21b601c8960f974ca2f3ac2c80|newspaper=news.com.au|date=19 November 2020}}</ref> The show was later postponed to 24 November 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=GUNS N' ROSES POSTPONE AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND LEG UNTIL 2022 |url=https://www.theticketingbusiness.com/2021/09/27/guns-n-roses-postpone-australian-and-new-zealand-leg-until-2022/ |publisher=theticketingbusiness.com |date=27 September 2021}}</ref>

===Commonwealth Games===
[[File:Carrara Stadium, Gold Coast, Queensland 05.jpg|230px|thumb|Carrara Stadium prior to the opening ceremony of the [[2018 Commonwealth Games]].]]
Carrara Stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the [[2018 Commonwealth Games]] as well as hosting the [[Athletics at the 2018 Commonwealth Games|athletics events]]. The athlete's village was originally going to be located next to Carrara Stadium but instead was constructed in [[Southport, Queensland|Southport]]. The stadium was temporarily upgraded to hold 35,000 people prior to the start of the opening ceremony.<ref name="CommGamesRedevelopment1"/><ref name="CommGamesRedevelopment2"/>

==Naming rights==
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|Metricon Homes]] had signed a $3 million, 5-year deal for naming rights of Carrara Stadium, to be known henceforth as '''Metricon Stadium'''.<ref name="Metricon lands Suns stadium naming rights">{{cite news|last=Smart|first=Nick|title=Metricon lands Suns stadium naming rights|url=http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2011/03/15/299455_gold-coast-afl.html|access-date=28 May 2011|newspaper=Gold Coast Bulletin|date=15 March 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news/2016-03-26/metricon-signs-fiveyear-extension|title=Metricon signs five-year extension|website=goldcoastfc.com.au|date=25 March 2016 |access-date=2016-03-26}}</ref> The agreement was later extended to the end of 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news/2019-03-26/metricon-extends-longstanding-partnership|title=Metricon extends longstanding partnership|work=Gold Coast Suns|date=26 March 2019}}</ref> In 2023 the stadium was renamed '''Heritage Bank Stadium''', after a contract was signed with mutual bank [[Heritage Bank]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news/1273462/heritage-bank-stadium-the-new-home-of-the-suns|title=Heritage Bank Stadium the new home of the SUNS|work=goldcoastfc.com.au|date=22 February 2023}}</ref> In the same year, Heritage Bank merged with [[People's Choice Credit Union]] based in [[Adelaide|Adelaide, South Australia]] to create People First Bank. Therefore, the stadium was renamed '''People First Stadium''' in March 2024.

==Transport access==
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Public transport access
!Service!!Station/stop!!Line/route!!Walking distance<br/> from Carrara Stadium
|-
| align=center|[[Kinetic Gold Coast]] [[File:Aiga bus trans.svg|12px]] || align=center|Carrara Stadium || align=center|745 || align=center|50 m
|-
| align=center|[[Queensland Rail]] [[File:BSicon BAHN.svg|20px]] || align=center|[[Nerang railway station|Nerang]] || align=center|[[Gold Coast railway line|Gold Coast]] || align=center|2.0&nbsp;km
|}

The nearest [[railway station]] is [[Nerang railway station|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, 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<ref>{{cite news|last=Potts |first=Andrew |title=Ferry plan floated for city |url=http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2013/08/14/456410_gold-coast-news.html |newspaper=Goldcoast.com.au |date=14 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020024000/http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2013/08/14/456410_gold-coast-news.html |archive-date=20 October 2013}}</ref> and light rail extension from Broadbeach that will stop outside the stadium.<ref>{{cite news|last=Potts |first=Andrew |title=Westworld: Gold Coast's western suburbs set to be linked to beach with light rail connection |url=http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/council/westworld-gold-coasts-western-suburbs-set-to-be-linked-to-beach-with-light-rain-connection/news-story/c195c752a61e387cf31d282069c61c88 |newspaper=Goldcoast.com.au |date=18 September 2017 }}</ref>

==AFL records==
===Individual===
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=5|Most goals in a game by a player
|-
! style="width:60px;"| Goals !! style="width:140px;"|Player !! style="width:100px;"|Club !! style="width:100px;"|Opponent !! style="width:80px;"|Date
|-                                   Lance franklin.  13 goals v north
| '''13''' || {{flagicon|VIC}}  [[Peter Daicos]] || {{AFL Col}} || {{AFL BB}} || 3 Aug 1991
|-
| rowspan="2" | '''11''' || {{flagicon|VIC}}  [[Gary Ablett Sr.]] || {{AFL Gee}} || {{AFL BB}} || 5 Jun 1988
|-
| {{flagicon|QLD}}  [[Jason Dunstall]] || {{AFL Haw}} || {{AFL BB}} || 14 Jun 1987
|-
| rowspan="2" | '''10''' || {{flagicon|Western Australia}} [[Simon Beasley]] || {{AFL Foo}} || {{AFL BB}} || 23 Aug 1987
|-
| {{flagicon|Tasmania}} [[Jack Riewoldt]] || {{AFL Ric}} || {{AFL GC}} || 11 Aug 2018
|}
{{Col-2}}
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=4|Most career goals by a player
|-
! style="width:60px;"| Goals !! style="width:140px;"|Player !! style="width:100px;"|Club !! style="width:70px;"|Games
|-
| '''139''' || {{flagicon|VIC}} [[Tom Lynch (Australian footballer, born 1992)|Tom Lynch]] || {{AFL GC}}<br />{{AFL Ric}} || 71
|-
| '''98''' || {{flagicon|Western Australia}} [[Brad Hardie]] || {{AFL BB}} || 45
|-
| '''84''' || {{flagicon|VIC}} [[Roger Merrett]] || {{AFL BB}} || 44
|-
| '''72''' || {{flagicon|VIC}} [[Gary Ablett Jr.]] || {{AFL GC}}<br />{{AFL Gee}} || 58
|-
| '''71''' || {{flagicon|QLD}} [[Alex Sexton]] || {{AFL GC}} || 68
|}
{{col-end}}
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=5|Most disposals in a game by a player
|-
! style="width:60px;"| Disposals !! style="width:140px;"|Player !! style="width:100px;"|Club !! style="width:100px;"|Opponent !! style="width:80px;"|Date
|-
| '''51''' || {{flagicon|South Australia}} [[Scott Thompson (footballer, born 1983)|Scott Thompson]] || {{AFL Ade}} || {{AFL GC}} || 20 Aug 2011
|-
| '''49''' || {{flagicon|VIC}} [[Gary Ablett Jr.]] || {{AFL GC}} || {{AFL Col}} || 20 Jul 2013
|-
| '''45''' || {{flagicon|VIC}} [[Gary Ablett Jr.]] || {{AFL GC}} || {{AFL Ess}} || 14 Apr 2012
|-
| rowspan="3" | '''43''' || {{flagicon|VIC}} [[Gary Ablett Jr.]] || {{AFL GC}} || {{AFL Haw}} || 3 Sep 2011
|-
| {{flagicon|South Australia}} [[Bryce Gibbs (Australian rules footballer)|Bryce Gibbs]] || {{AFL Car}} || {{AFL GC}} || 17 Jun 2017
|-
| {{flagicon|VIC}} [[Ollie Wines]] || {{AFL PA}} || {{AFL GC}} || 19 Jun 2021
|}
{{Col-2}}
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=4|Most career games by a player
|-
! style="width:60px;"| Games !! style="width:140px;"|Player !! style="width:100px;"|Club !! style="width:70px;"|Years
|-
| '''88''' || {{flagicon|QLD}} [[Jarrod Harbrow]] || {{AFL GC}} || 2011–2021
|-
| '''85''' || {{flagicon|Western Australia}} [[David Swallow]] || {{AFL GC}} || 2011–
|-
| '''71''' || {{flagicon|VIC}} [[Tom Lynch (Australian footballer, born 1992)|Tom Lynch]] || {{AFL GC}}<br />{{AFL Ric}} || 2011–
|-
| '''69''' || {{flagicon|VIC}} [[Touk Miller]] || {{AFL GC}} || 2015–
|-
| '''68''' || {{flagicon|QLD}} [[Alex Sexton]] || {{AFL GC}}|| 2012–
|}
{{col-end}}

<sup>''Last updated: 1 November 2022''<ref>[https://afltables.com/afl/venues/carrara.html AFL Tables - Venues - Carrara]</ref></sup>

==Cricket records==
===Twenty20===
{{See also|List of Twenty20 cricket records}}

====Individual batting====
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=6|Highest individual score in a match
|-
! Runs !! Player !! Team !! Opponent !! Competition !! Date
|-
| '''96''' || {{Flagicon|NSW}} [[Daniel Hughes (cricketer)|Daniel Hughes]] || [[Sydney Sixers|Sydney]] || [[Melbourne Stars|Melbourne]] || [[Big Bash League]] || 26 Dec 2020
|-
| '''87''' || {{Flagicon|Western Australia}} [[Shaun Marsh]] || [[Melbourne Renegades|Melbourne]] || [[Sydney Thunder|Sydney]] || [[Big Bash League]] || 1 Jan 2021
|-
| '''84''' || {{Flagicon|QLD}} [[Chris Lynn]] || [[Brisbane Heat|Brisbane]] || [[Sydney Sixers|Sydney]] || [[Big Bash League]] || 1 Jan 2019
|-
| '''83''' || {{Flagicon|VIC}} [[Glenn Maxwell]] || [[Melbourne Stars|Melbourne]] || [[Brisbane Heat|Brisbane]] || [[Big Bash League]] || 20 Dec 2019
|-
| '''71''' || {{Flagicon|VIC}} [[Glenn Maxwell]] || [[Melbourne Stars|Melbourne]] || [[Sydney Sixers|Sydney]] || [[Big Bash League]] || 26 Dec 2020
|}
{{Col-2}}
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=5|Most career runs
|-
! Runs !! Matches !! Player !! Team/s !! Period
|-
| '''276''' || 6 || {{Flagicon|VIC}} [[Glenn Maxwell]] || [[Melbourne Stars|Melbourne]], [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] || 2018–
|-
| '''251''' || 7 || {{Flagicon|QLD}} [[Chris Lynn]] || [[Brisbane Heat|Brisbane]], [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] || 2018–
|-
| '''163''' || 5 || {{Flagicon|NSW}} [[Daniel Hughes (cricketer)|Daniel Hughes]] || [[Sydney Sixers|Sydney]] || 2019–
|-
| '''154''' || 2 || {{Flagicon|Western Australia}} [[Shaun Marsh]] || [[Melbourne Renegades|Melbourne]] || 2020–
|-
| '''134''' || 2 || {{Flagicon|TAS}} [[Jonathan Wells (cricketer)|Jonathan Wells]] || [[Adelaide Strikers|Adelaide]] || 2019–
<!--  |-
| '''132''' || 5 || {{Flagicon|Western Australia}} [[Josh Philippe]] || [[Sydney Sixers|Sydney]] || 2019– -->
<!-- |-
| '''122''' || 5 || {{Flagicon|Western Australia}} [[Marcus Stoinis]] || [[Melbourne Stars|Melbourne]], [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] || 2018– -->
<!-- |-
| '''117''' || 5 || {{Flagicon|QLD}} [[Max Bryant]] || [[Brisbane Heat|Brisbane]] || 2018– -->
<!-- |-
| '''114''' || 4 || {{Flagicon|NSW}} [[Dan Christian]] || [[Sydney Sixers|Sydney]] || 2020– -->
|}
{{col-end}}

====Individual bowling====

{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=6|Best figures in a match
|-
! Bowling !! Player !! Team !! Opponent !! Competition !! Date
|-
| '''4/18''' || {{Flagicon|BAR}} [[Carlos Brathwaite]] || [[Sydney Sixers|Sydney]] || [[Brisbane Heat|Brisbane]] || [[Big Bash League]] || 10 Jan 2021
|-
| '''3/16''' || {{Flagicon|VIC}} [[Fawad Ahmed]] || [[Perth Scorchers|Perth]] || [[Brisbane Heat|Brisbane]] || [[Big Bash League]] || 1 Jan 2020
|-
| '''3/18''' || {{Flagicon|AFG|variant=cricket}} [[Rashid Khan]] || [[Adelaide Strikers|Adelaide]] || [[Sydney Sixers|Sydney]] || [[Big Bash League]] || 3 Jan 2021
|-
| '''3/24''' || {{Flagicon|VIC}} [[Peter Siddle]] || [[Adelaide Strikers|Adelaide]] || [[Melbourne Stars|Melbourne]] || [[Big Bash League]] || 27 Dec 2019
|-
| '''3/25''' || {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Tom Curran (cricketer)|Tom Curran]] || [[Sydney Sixers|Sydney]] || [[Brisbane Heat|Brisbane]] || [[Big Bash League]] || 1 Jan 2019
|}
{{Col-2}}
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=5|Most career wickets
|-
! Wickets !! Matches || Player !! Team/s !! Period
|-
| '''9''' || 5 || {{Flagicon|NSW}} [[Adam Zampa]] || [[Melbourne Stars|Melbourne]] || 2019–
|-
| '''6''' || 4 || {{Flagicon|BAR}} [[Carlos Brathwaite]] || [[Sydney Sixers|Sydney]] || 2020–
|-
| '''6''' || 4 || {{Flagicon|QLD}} [[Mark Steketee]] || [[Brisbane Heat|Brisbane]] || 2018–
|-
| '''5''' || 4 || {{Flagicon|NSW}} [[Josh Lalor]] || [[Brisbane Heat|Brisbane]] || 2018–
|-
| '''5''' || 4 || {{Flagicon|AFG|variant=cricket}} [[Mujeeb Ur Rahman]] || [[Brisbane Heat|Brisbane]] || 2018–
|}
{{col-end}}

<sup>''Last updated: 11 January 2021''<ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/ground/56383.html ESPN CricInfo - Grounds - Carrara Oval]</ref></sup>

==Attendance records==
===Sports===
''NOTE: This table does not include stadium attendances at the [[2018 Commonwealth Games]].''
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:900px;"
|- style="background:#bdb76b;"
!width=1%|No.
!width=17%|Date
!width=46%|Teams
!width=22%|Sport
!width=8%|Competition
!width=6%|Crowd
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center|5 July 2014|| align=center|[[Gold Coast Suns]] vs. [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood Magpies]] || align=center|[[Australian rules football]] || align=center|[[Australian Football League|AFL]]|| 24,032
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center|23 July 2011|| align=center|[[Gold Coast Suns]] vs. [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood Magpies]] || align=center|[[Australian rules football]] || align=center|[[Australian Football League|AFL]]|| 23,302
|-
| align=center|3 || align=center|29 June 2024|| align=center|[[Gold Coast Suns]] vs. [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood Magpies]] || align=center|[[Australian rules football]] || align=center|[[Australian Football League|AFL]]|| 23,029
|-
| align=center|4 || align=center|11 July 2025|| align=center|[[Gold Coast Suns]] vs. [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood Magpies]] || align=center|[[Australian rules football]] || align=center|[[Australian Football League|AFL]]|| 22,831
|-
| align=center|5 || align=center|18 March 1994 || align=center|[[Gold Coast Seagulls]] vs. [[Brisbane Broncos]] || align=center|[[Rugby league]] || align=center|[[New South Wales Rugby League premiership|NSWRL]]|| 22,688
|-
| align=center|6 || align=center|1 July 2023|| align=center|[[Gold Coast Suns]] vs. [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood Magpies]] || align=center|[[Australian rules football]] || align=center|[[Australian Football League|AFL]]|| 22,483
|-
| align=center|7 || align=center|9 March 2024|| style="text-align:center;"|[[Gold Coast Suns]] vs. [[Richmond Football Club|Richmond Tigers]]|| align=center|[[Australian rules football]] || align=center|[[Australian Football League|AFL]]||22,086
|-
| align=center|8 || align=center|2 June 2024||align=center|[[Gold Coast Suns]] vs. [[Essendon Football Club|Essendon Bombers]] || align=center|[[Australian rules football]] || align=center|[[Australian Football League|AFL]]|| 21,759
|-
| align=center|9 || align=center|28 May 2011||align=center|[[Gold Coast Suns]] vs. [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong Cats]] || align=center|[[Australian rules football]] || align=center|[[Australian Football League|AFL]]|| 21,485
|-
| align=center|10 || align=center|8 June 2014||align=center|[[Gold Coast Suns]] vs. [[Sydney Swans]] || align=center|[[Australian rules football]] || align=center|[[Australian Football League|AFL]]|| 21,354
|}
<sup>''Last updated: 12 July 2025''<ref>[https://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/stadiums_crowds.php?id=31 AU Stadiums - Metricon Stadium Crowds]</ref><ref>[http://afltables.com/afl/crowds/vn_carrara.html AFL Tables - Crowds - Carrara]</ref><ref>[http://afltables.com/rl/crowds/carrara_vn.html Rugby League Tables - Crowds - Carrara]</ref></sup>

===Other events===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:900px;"
|- style="background:#bdb76b;"
!width=1%|No.
!width=20%|Date
!width=40%|Name of tour/event
!width=30%|Act/s
!width=6%|Crowd
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center|28 February 2023 || align=center|[[Love On Tour]] || align=center|[[Harry Styles]]|| 48,177<ref>{{cite news|title=Harry Styles' GC sellout buzz – but ending not so golden |url=https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/entertainment/fans-share-dismay-over-traffic-nightmare-leaving-harry-styles-concert/news-story/f027bbadcbffc962a038b19ea11fd667|date=1 March 2023}}</ref>
|-
| align=center|2 || align=center|13 November 2024 || align=center|[[Dark Matter World Tour]] || align=center|[[Pearl Jam]]|| 46,900<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Billboard Boxscore – November 2024 |url=https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/9QHWN/2/#embed |magazine=Billboard |access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| align=center|3 || align=center|20 February 2024 || align=center|[[Summer Carnival (tour)|Summer Carnival Tour]] || align=center|[[Pink (singer)|Alecia Beth Moore (Pink)]]|| 46,000<ref>{{cite news|title=Our city was treated to the spectacle of P!nk last night |url=https://www.facebook.com/9NewsGoldCoast/posts/pfbid02EopYoNiR8cRo4z5wZvV4T7RWapXNPK8Jvw8VtpdYy4xxRepDBDYcdzrEJKtULwejl |date=16 December 2025}}</ref>
|-
| align=center|4 || align=center|14 December 2025 || align=center|[[Spilt Milk (festival)|Spilt Milk 2025]] || align=center|[[Kendrick Lamar]], [[Doechii]]|| 40,000<ref>{{cite news|title=Our Gold Coast team went above and beyond at @peoplefirstst Stadium for the sold-out Spilt Milk Festival, supporting an event with over 40,000 people through the gates.|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DSWlDd-DVUA/ |date=22 March 2024}}</ref>
|-
| align=center|5 || align=center|29 February 2020 || align=center|[[The Rhapsody Tour]] || align=center|[[Queen + Adam Lambert]] || 39,607<ref>{{cite news|last=Eliezer|first=Christie|title=Australian live sector headed for boom year before coronavirus hit|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/australian-live-sector-performance-2020/|date=16 December 2020}}</ref>
|-
| align=center|6 || align=center|10 December 2011|| align=center|[[Wasting Light Tour]] || align=center|[[Foo Fighters]] || 37,000<ref name="Coast can host the superstars now">{{cite news|last=Simonot|first=Suzanne|title=Coast can host the superstars now|url=http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2011/12/12/373191_gold-coast-news.html|newspaper=Gold Coast Bulletin|date=19 January 2014}}</ref>
|-
| align=center rowspan=3|7 || align=center|4 April 2018 || align="center" |[[2018 Commonwealth Games]] || align="center" | [[Delta Goodrem]], [[Ricki-Lee Coulter]] || 35,000<ref>{{cite news|title=Dazzling opening ceremony kicks off Commonwealth Games|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/dazzling-opening-ceremony-kicks-off-commonwealth-games|newspaper=SBS|date=5 April 2018}}</ref>
|-
| align=center|19 January 2014 || align=center|[[Big Day Out|Big Day Out 2014]] || align=center| [[Pearl Jam]], [[Arcade Fire]] || 35,000<ref>{{cite news|last=Cronin|first=Seanna|title=Thousands show up for Big Day Out 2014|url=http://www.mydailynews.com.au/news/Thousands-show-up-for-Big-Day-Out-2014/2143708/|newspaper=My Daily News|date=19 January 2014}}</ref>
|-
| align=center|26 November 2023 || align=center|[[Spilt Milk (festival)|Spilt Milk 2023]] || align=center|[[Post Malone]], [[Dom Dolla]]|| 35,000
|-
| align=center rowspan=2|10 || align=center|24 November 2022 || align=center|[[Guns N' Roses 2020 Tour|We're F'n Back Tour]] || align=center|[[Guns N' Roses]]|| 30,000<ref>{{cite news|title=Guns 'N Roses rock the GC|url=https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/guns-n-roses-dont-stop-for-three-hours-in-epic-show-led-by-axl-slash-and-duff/news-story/a3208c2faa6e80c4a94d89dd316539f2|date=25 November 2022}}</ref>
|-
| align=center|4 November 2023 || align=center|[[Got Back|Got Back Tour]] || align=center|[[Paul McCartney]]|| 30,000<ref>{{cite news|title=Paul McCartney delivers the hits from his long and winding road|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/paul-mccartney-delivers-the-hits-from-his-long-and-winding-road/news-story/2c9461595439b669e72e89dc8fd5661a|date=5 November 2023}}</ref>
|}

<sup>''Last updated: 26 December 2025''</sup>

==Awards==
[[File:Heritage_Bank_Stadium,_October_2023.jpg|thumb|The exterior of the stadium as seen in October 2023.]]

===Won===
* 2011 [[Australian Football League|AFL]] Fans Favourite Venue
* 2012 ASI Steel Design Awards for Queensland – Best Large Project Building
* 2012 ASI Steel Design Awards for Queensland – Best Engineering Project Building
* 2012 ASI Steel Design Awards for Queensland – Best Use of Sustainability
* 2012 ASI Steel Design Awards for Queensland – Best Sporting and Community Facility over $20 million

===Nominated===
* 2012 ASI Steel Design Awards for Queensland – Project of the Year
* 2012 Stadium Business Awards – Project of the Year

==See also==
{{Portal|Queensland|Sports}}
* [[List of Australian Football League grounds]]
* [[List of Australian rugby league stadiums]]
* [[List of cricket grounds in Australia]]
* [[List of sports venues in Australia]]
* [[Sports on the Gold Coast, Queensland]]

==Sources==
* [http://afltables.com/afl/crowds/vn_carrara.html AFL Attendance Records]
* [http://afltables.com/rl/crowds/carrara_vn.html NRL Attendance Records]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060309012233/http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard2.aspx?pid=100 Gold Coast City Council – Carrara Stadium]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110706102428/http://www.bpn.com.au/Article/MakMax-to-top-off-Gold-Coast-stadium/519722.aspx BPN news article]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Carrara Stadium}}
* {{Official website|http://www.metriconstadium.com.au}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050421201445/http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_std.asp?PID=100 Description and aerial view of Carrara Oval at the Gold Coast City Council's web site]
* {{Austadiums|31}}
* [http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/04/08/1143916766975.html Bring Carrara Back to Life – But Slowly] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061231023556/http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/04/08/1143916766975.html |date=31 December 2006 }}

{{AFL grounds}}
{{Gold Coast Football Club}}
{{Brisbane Bears}}
{{Brisbane Lions}}
{{Australian Football League}}
{{VFL venues}}
{{NEAFL}}
{{AFL Women's grounds}}{{Big Bash League Cricket grounds}}{{Commonwealth Games stadia}}
{{NRL Grounds}}
{{Gold Coast Titans}}
{{australian-baseball-stadiums}}
{{Gold Coast Landmarks}}
{{2018 Commonwealth Games venues}}
{{Olympic venues football}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Rugby league stadiums in Australia]]
[[Category:Rugby union stadiums in Australia]]
[[Category:Australian Football League grounds]]
[[Category:Sports venues on the Gold Coast, Queensland]]
[[Category:History of the Gold Coast, Queensland]]
[[Category:Baseball venues in Australia]]
[[Category:Defunct cricket grounds in Australia]]
[[Category:2018 Commonwealth Games venues]]
[[Category:Gold Coast Titans]]
[[Category:Gold Coast Suns]]
[[Category:Athletics venues in Australia]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1987]]
[[Category:North East Australian Football League grounds]]
[[Category:AFL Women's grounds]]
[[Category:Queensland Reds]]
[[Category:Music venues in Australia]]
[[Category:Carrara, Queensland]]
[[Category:Cricket grounds in Queensland]]
[[Category:Venues of the 2032 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic cricket venues]]
[[Category:1987 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Victorian Football League grounds]]
[[Category:Athletics at the 2018 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Rugby league in Queensland]]
[[Category:Rugby union in Queensland]]