Live Nation handles tours of some of the biggest stars on the planet including bringing Taylor Swift to Australia. Picture: Kevin Mazur/TAS24/Getty Images.
The world’s biggest live entertainment company – which brings Taylor Swift, Coldplay and Ed Sheeran to Australia – has committed to build a $480m venue in the country.
Global entertainment giant Live Nation, which manages 40,000-plus concerts a year with over 4,000 artists, has been locked in to build and operate the Gold Coast Arena – a legacy venue for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
It will see a minimum 12,000-seat indoor facility on a premium 4.5-hectare site at Carey Park, Southport – which has sweeping views over the Broadwater, is surrounded by bars, restaurants and hotels, and in the vicinity of the annual Schoolies fortnight of parties.
Artist’s impression of the Gold Coast Arena. The design is being finalised. Source: Invest Gold Coast.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate confirmed on Monday that the AmplifyGC consortium – which features Live Nation, infrastructure giant Plenary Group and Australian construction powerhouse Built – had been selected to deliver the game-changing project.
The venue is being delivered through a public-private partnership model – a long-term arrangement on government land that will give every major international artist touring Australia a Gold Coast option.
The site is due to open in 2030 after a three-year construction period – going live two years before it will become an Olympics venue for the Brisbane 2032 Games.
Among the acts Live Nation manages tours for are the likes of Beyoncé, Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran and basically most A-list artists Aussies have ever paid hundreds of dollars to see in person.
According to Invest Gold Coast, the venue is expected to host more than 100 major events a year.
Live Nation senior vice president for Australia and New Zealand, Guy Ngata, said this was about more than just the Olympics.
“AmplifyGC’s vision is to shape the next chapter of live entertainment on the Gold Coast,” he said.
“Beyond the Olympics, the arena will position the city as a destination for global touring – driving economic growth, strengthening the region’s cultural life, and giving international and local artists a world-class stage.” he said.
Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate believes they will deliver the arena two years before the Olympics. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.
The move is expected to be a gamechanger for the Gold Coast which is Australia’s sixth-largest city with over 700,000 residents, creating thousands of local jobs through construction, hospitality, event management and tourism – while boosting visitor spending and overnight stays across the region.
It was also expected to become a launch pad for local talent to perform alongside international acts – potentially unearthing the next Amy Shark who grew up there.
“We are strategically growing our cultural capital. Cities around the world increasingly view creative industries as strategic assets for attracting investment, supporting innovation ecosystems and strengthening economic competitiveness,” Mr Tate said.
”The world’s eyes are on the Gold Coast and the level of interest in this major public infrastructure legacy project is a sign of the city’s status”.
The next step is for Invest Gold Coast, the city’s economic development and investment attraction entity, to work with AmplifyGC through a Stage 2 Request for Proposal process – which is expected to commence in April 2026.
Chris Martin of Coldplay performs on stage at Optus Stadium in Perth. He is among stars Live Nation works with on global tours. Picture:Paul Kane/Getty Images.
Mr Tate was happy “with a single proponent” handling the process, saying it would ensure “we waste no time in getting into the finer planning, investment options and detailed design”.
The groundbreaking project is being designed via Cox Architecture with prestigious Danish studio 3XN, giving it a distinct world venue vibe.
Plenary Group head of development Sergio Calcarao said the team was “thrilled” to deliver a piece of “legacy infrastructure for South East Queensland”.
“Our integrated delivery and operating model will ensure fast-tracked delivery, world-class operations and a whole-of-life approach,” he said.
“That will provide value-for-money for the city and deliver measurable economic, cultural and social outcomes for the community.”
For decades, Sydney and Melbourne have dominated Australia’s live entertainment circuit, now the Gold Coast’s partnership with one of the world’s most powerful entertainment companies could give the city the edge it needs to compete for tour dates out of one of the most iconic locations in the country.
Gold Coast Arena Timeline:
Now: AmplifyGC consortium selected as preferred proponent
April 2026: Stage 2 Request for Proposal commences
Early 2027: Final project agreement expected
2027-2030: Three-year construction period
2030: Arena opens (two years pre-Olympics)
2032: Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games
2032+: 100+ major events per year for decades
(Source: Invest Gold Coast)