- Brisbane’s two sold-out Preliminary Finals tipped to generate $10 million.
- Almost 27,500 airline seats ex-Melbourne and New Zealand land in Brisbane over three days.
- Major events at Stadiums Queensland venues in 2022-23 contribute $1.1 billion to the State’s visitor economy and 8,400 good jobs.
Brisbane’s festival of NRL and AFL Preliminary Finals is predicted to generate at least $10 million for the Queensland capital’s visitor economy.
Collectively, up to 90,000 tickets have sold-out for a full house at Suncorp Stadium and The Gabba for today’s Broncos’ and Brisbane Lions’ home NRL and AFL Preliminary Finals.
Brisbane’s unprecedented Preliminary Final double-header is delivering a bonanza for accommodation providers with almost 100 per cent occupancy tonight and up to 90 per cent last night.
As tourism operators move into the second week of a month of spring school holidays, accommodation occupancy on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts is around 80 per cent.
Brisbane’s finals festival and the school holidays are predicted to add $1.5 billion to Queensland’s visitor economy.
Up to 30,000 visitors in jerseys and guernseys have stormed into Brisbane, many of them from New Zealand and Melbourne for the city’s NRL and AFL finals festival.
Since Thursday, 117 flights have touched down in Brisbane from Melbourne and 34 from New Zealand filling almost 27,500 inbound seats.
Spectators at Suncorp Stadium and The Gabba are predicted to get through 13,600 buckets of hot chips, 6,800 hot dogs, 4,500 pies and sausage rolls, 110,000 beers and 17,000 bottles of soft drink and water.
From grounds keepers to venue and catering staff, the home NRL and AFL finals double-header means jobs for Queenslanders including more than 2,000 at Suncorp Stadium and The Gabba.
For AFL Grand Final week in Melbourne, Tourism and Events Queensland is launching a new billboard campaign highlighting Queensland’s ‘front row’ and ‘box seat’ tourism experiences.
Brisbane’s finals festival follows a record-breaking year of world-class sport and entertainment at Stadiums Queensland venues.
During 2022-23, a record 4.9 million spectators watched sporting and concert events at Stadiums Queensland’s major venues, generating $1.1 billion for the State’s economy and supporting 8,400 good Queensland jobs.
Queensland Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said:
“The sea of jerseys and guernseys from across the Tasman and around the nation – celebrating the city’s finals double-header- makes Brisbane Australasia’s sporting capital.
“You can already feel it; the atmosphere around Suncorp Stadium, The Gabba, hotels, restaurants and the city’s entertainment precincts is absolutely electric.
“We know Queenslanders will be backing the Broncos and Lions for Grand Final appearances, but the biggest winners are Queensland jobs and the visitor economy.
“Brisbane’s finals festival is a $10 million example of the bonanza major sporting events bring to the visitor economy and there’s much more to come on the runway to the 2032 Games.
“Accommodation is close to full occupancy and so are the airlines with the magic of sport spreading economic benefits across the region.
“This weekend, interstate and international NRL and AFL fans are seizing the opportunity to explore South East Queensland’s great lifestyle and our world-class visitor experiences.”
Tourism and Events Queensland CEO, Patricia O’Callaghan said:
“Once again, we have a four-week school holiday period with staggered state holiday timings seeing Aussies head north to soak up spring in the Sunshine State until mid-October.
“Adding a footy bonanza to the mix is the cherry on top for tourism operators who will welcome visitors from far and wide all weekend and over the coming weeks.
“Queensland will also be calling on Aussie footy fans to discover Queensland’s ‘front row’ and ‘box’ seats with a high-impact campaign next week to make the most of grand final week in Victoria as we continue on the mission to hold our position as Australia’s number one holiday destination.”
Accor Pacific CEO Sarah Derry said:
“Accor is thrilled to see Brisbane’s tourism thriving this weekend.
“The city is buzzing with excitement, and visitors from near and far are flocking to experience all that Brisbane has to offer.
“As a leading hospitality provider, Accor is proud to contribute to this vibrant atmosphere by offering exceptional accommodation options and ensuring a memorable stay for our guests.”
Riverlife Adventure and Event Centre Director Sam Jarmy said:
“Our adventure tours are fully booked both mornings on Saturday and Sunday.
“Day tours are almost full and are expected to fill up with an increase in numbers by 30 per cent already on the previous week.”
