Queensland Government extends support of Supercars events

The Queensland Government has extended its support of major Supercars events, with the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 and NTI Townsville 500 to remain on the calendar until at least 2027.

The new agreement ensures that Surfers Paradise and Townsville will continue to host Supercars events for a further three years.

The Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, has invested in Supercars events in the Gold Coast and Townsville since 2010, and will continue to work with Experience Gold Coast and the Townsville City Council for the next three years.

The Gold Coast and Townsville events attract thousands of visitors and provide significant economic benefits for Queensland.

The 2025 dates for both Queensland rounds are set to be announced in coming weeks.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles hailed the new deal, saying: "This is a huge win for motorsports fans and a huge win for the visitor economy. These events will deliver more than 280,000 visitor nights and inject approximately $100 million into Queensland’s economy for each year of this extended deal.

"These Supercars events are some of the biggest events on the Queensland calendar bringing visitors to the host destinations from far and wide and we are committed to keeping Queensland on the grid with world-class events that benefit our communities and drive significant economic returns."

Minister for Tourism and Sport Michael Healy added: "Supercars events draw huge crowds to Queensland, accelerating tourism and supporting local businesses.

"Through our partnerships with Supercars and local stakeholders, we are ensuring these events continue to generate high-octane returns for our state.

"I look forward to keeping these engines running hot for another three years."

This year's NTI Townsville 500, North Queensland's biggest annual sporting event, attracted a crowd figure of 126,618. A record crowd of 201,971 packed in to watch last year's year's Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500.

The 2024 Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 will hit the streets of Surfers Paradise from October 25-27. Tickets are on sale now.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Public Works and Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon MP said: "This is a fantastic outcome for the Gold Coast. The Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 is a major crowd-puller, and this three-year extension will continue to bring tens of thousands of race fans to our perfect part of the world, bringing with them a major boost for the local economy and businesses."

Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals and Member for Townsville Scott Stewart MP added: “Securing the NTI Townsville 500 for another three years is fuel in the tank for our city. This event brings visitors, boosts our economy, and puts Townsville on the national track."

This year's Gold Coast round also celebrates 30 years of racing on the Surfers Paradise streets.

Acting Gold Coast Mayor Donna Gates said: “This is a fantastic day for our city, securing this iconic event for another three years. I applaud Supercars, Experience Gold Coast, and the Queensland Government for making this happen.

"Not only does the event attract tens of thousands of visitors to the Coast, but it also showcases our city to millions of race fans globally. Drivers, start your engines for 2025 and beyond."

Deputy Mayor of Townsville Councillor Paul Jacob added: "Townsville City Council hosted its maiden Supercars event in 2009. Since then, this much-loved event has returned year on year, and highlighted the beauty and excitement of our city to visitors and viewers all around Australia.

"Most importantly, the event has helped cement Townsville's reputation as sporting and events capital of the north."

Supercars CEO Shane Howard was excited to extend with Queensland, and looked ahead to another blockbuster Gold Coast round.

“I want to extend my thanks to Premier Steven Miles, Minister Michael Healy, and the Gold Coast and Townsville City Councils for their unwavering support of two of Queensland’s largest sporting events," Howard said.

"These events not only bring significant tourism and economic benefits but also create local jobs and showcase Queensland to a vast television audience, both in Australia and abroad. They’ve been incredibly successful by all measures.

"Our teams, drivers, and fans love these events, and we’re excited to have them locked in as core parts of our calendar for the years ahead. We’re eagerly looking forward to the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 in just over a month."

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO, Patricia O’Callaghan said: "Supercars events are renowned for drawing strong crowds and extending our support of the events until 2027 is a milestone worth celebrating as we build on the value of our $850 million 2024 Queensland events calendar.

"Securing major events like these play a pivotal role in our goals to build our events portfolio to be worth $2 billion to Queensland’s economy by 2032."

Experience Gold Coast CEO, John Warn added: "We are thrilled to see one of Australia’s biggest annual sporting events, the iconic Gold Coast 500, committed to the Gold Coast for an additional three years.

"This is another huge win for us and the city, both in terms of our reputation as a sporting epicentre and for the national broadcast reach this event delivers.

"Last year’s event attracted unprecedented crowds across the three-days, and we anticipate record-breaking attendance again when it returns next month October 25-27."