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Sunday saw Queensland's newest sports venue, Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, officially opened to the public.

Politicians including Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, Federal Minister for Regional Australia Simon Crean and Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke welcomed the first sports fans into the $144.2 million 25,000 capacity venue with Premier Bligh adding that the stadium "will be expanded to accommodate 40,000 spectators should the Gold Coast win the bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games."

Former Olympican Clarke said the opening of Metricon Stadium marked a milestone for the city and heralds a new era of AFL on the Gold Coast, stating "his truly is a people's stadium - it has state-of-the-art facilities and fantastic viewing from all parts of the ground.

"Council backed the city's bid to get it's own AFL franchise and is a proud funding partner of the stadium - so the opening of its doors to the community is a proud moment for all involved.

"I know our city will truly embrace the stadium and spend many days and nights there supporting the (Gold Coast) Suns and other events in the future."

The stadium will host its first match on Saturday 28th May, in front of a sell-out crowd, when the AFL's newest side host Geelong.

Metricon Stadium is built on the site of the former Carrara Stadium, build in 1987. All that remains of the former venue is the six light towers which tower above the stadium and have been refurbished ahead of the re-opening.

The new stadium features our hundred and fifty metres of full solar clear photovoltaic (PV) panelling installed around the inner edge of the stadium's horseshoe shaped roof.

This solar panelling will generate approximately 275,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per annum, or around 20% of the stadium's total electricity needs.

5th April 2012 - TICKETMASTER LAUNCHES INTERACTIVE SEAT MAP AT METRICON STADIUM

17th March 2011 - METRICON WIN GOLD COAST STADIUM NAMING RIGHTS

12th October 2009 - FIRST VIEW OF NEW CARRARA STADIUM

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