AFL Gold Coast Accommodation for Suns Games and Grand Final Weekend
Updated: 5 hours ago
AFL Gold Coast accommodation doesn't have to sit next to the stadium. Burleigh Gold Coast Motel is on the Gold Coast Highway in Miami, with a G:link tram stop on our corner, the north end of Burleigh Beach 200m away and 36 rooms from $125 a night. It's an easy base for Gold Coast Suns games at People First Stadium in Carrara, and for Grand Final weekend in front of one of the biggest screens on the Coast.
Here for the NRL as well? Our Gold Coast footy season guide covers both codes.
AFL Gold Coast accommodation for Suns games at People First Stadium
The Suns' 2026 AFL season is complete. The AFL has confirmed Round 1 of the 2027 season starts on Wednesday 17 or Thursday 18 March 2027, and the full 2027 fixture is due for release later in 2026. When it lands, lock in your room for the Suns' Carrara dates early.
Footy at Carrara isn't finished for 2026. The Suns AFLW side has two home games left at People First Stadium:
Sunday 27 September 2026: Gold Coast Suns v St Kilda, the day after the AFL Grand Final
Saturday 24 October 2026: Gold Coast Suns v Richmond
Gate and start times are on the People First Stadium What's On page, and tickets are on the Suns' AFLW Ticketek page.
Getting to People First Stadium from Miami
People First Stadium, the former Metricon Stadium, is at 296 Nerang Broadbeach Road, Carrara, inland from the beach strip, so sort out your trip before game day.
Tram and event shuttle. Board the G:link at Christine Avenue on our corner and ride north to Broadbeach South. When free event shuttles run, Broadbeach South tram station is one of the pick-up points, along with Nerang station and the Boowaggan Road Park 'n' Ride. Shuttle plans change from game to game, so check the stadium's Getting Here page and the Suns Game Day Guide before you leave.
Your ticket covers the fare. A pre-purchased game ticket or Suns membership gives you free travel on regular Kinetic buses, Queensland Rail trains (excluding Airtrain) and G:link trams, starting four hours before the game.
No shuttle on the day? Regular Translink buses still run, and the nearest stop is about 500m from the stadium gates. Plan the connection in the Translink journey planner. The 765 that also stops on our corner heads for Robina, so it isn't your Carrara bus.
Driving. There's no public car parking at the stadium for most events, and parking restrictions and road closures apply in the surrounding streets. Some smaller games open limited parking, so check the Game Day Guide first. Pick-up and drop-off run through the Blue Carpark on the southern side of Nerang Broadbeach Road. The simplest plan is to leave the car in our free on-site car park and take the tram.
Flying in? From Gold Coast Airport, the 777 express bus runs to Stockland Burleigh Heads. Change to the tram at Burleigh Heads station and ride two stops north to Christine Avenue.
AFL Grand Final weekend on the Gold Coast
The 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final is on Saturday 26 September 2026 at the MCG in Melbourne, starting at 2:30pm. Victoria doesn't switch to daylight saving until October, so it's 2:30pm on the Gold Coast too. Grand Final seats are allocated to club members, MCC and AFL members and other ticket holders, so most fans watch it on a big screen, and Burleigh does that well.
Burleigh Town Hotel on Tsipura Drive, Burleigh Heads is home to one of the largest screens in the Southern Hemisphere. Its Sports Bar shows the 2026 Grand Final live from 2pm, with footy food specials, giveaways and prizes, then live music in the Beer Garden from 6pm to 9pm. It's 18+, so book a table on the pub's Grand Final page. The pub also runs a courtesy bus around Burleigh Heads and surrounds; text them to check a Miami pick-up.
Make a full footy weekend of it: the Suns AFLW side hosts St Kilda at People First Stadium the next day, Sunday 27 September.
Planning ahead? The AFL has confirmed the 2027 Grand Final is on Saturday 2 October 2027, a week later than the usual last Saturday in September, so build next year's trip around that date.
Why footy fans stay in Miami
Beach first. The north end of Burleigh Beach is 200m away, straight down Sixth Avenue.
Transport on the corner. The G:link and the 765 both stop at our corner, so a car is optional.
Free on-site parking, subject to availability, if you do drive.
Value. 36 rooms from $125 a night, plus an outdoor pool for recovery sessions.
Well reviewed. 4.7 stars on Google, and Virgin Australia's Gold Coast guide names us the best budget-friendly stay in Burleigh Heads.
Clear booking terms. Direct bookings have a 24-hour cancellation policy.
Rooms for footy groups
Travelling with mates or family? Choose a Double, a Triple (sleeps 3), a Quad (sleeps 4), a Family room (sleeps 5) or Interconnecting rooms that sleep 5–6 with two bathrooms. See all rooms.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 AFL Grand Final?
The 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final is on Saturday 26 September 2026 at the MCG in Melbourne, starting at 2:30pm, which is the same clock time on the Gold Coast. The 2027 Grand Final is on Saturday 2 October 2027.
Where can I watch the AFL Grand Final near Burleigh?
Burleigh Town Hotel on Tsipura Drive, Burleigh Heads is home to one of the largest screens in the Southern Hemisphere. It shows the 2026 Grand Final from 2pm with footy food specials and giveaways, then live music in the Beer Garden from 6pm to 9pm. It is an 18+ venue, so book a table with the pub.
When do the Gold Coast Suns next play at Carrara?
The Suns' 2026 AFL season is complete and the AFL will release the 2027 fixture later in 2026. The Suns AFLW side plays St Kilda at People First Stadium on Sunday 27 September 2026 and Richmond on Saturday 24 October 2026.
How do I get to People First Stadium from the motel without a car?
Take the G:link from Christine Avenue on our corner north to Broadbeach South, which is one of the free event shuttle pick-up points when shuttles run. A pre-purchased game ticket or Suns membership covers regular Kinetic buses, trains and G:link trams from four hours before the game. Check the stadium and Suns game-day pages for each game's shuttle plan.
Is there parking at People First Stadium?
There is no public car parking at the stadium for most events, and parking restrictions and road closures apply in nearby streets. Some smaller games open limited parking. Pick-up and drop-off run through the Blue Carpark on the southern side of Nerang Broadbeach Road.
How do I get from Gold Coast Airport to the motel?
From Gold Coast Airport, the 777 express bus runs to Stockland Burleigh Heads. Change to the tram at Burleigh Heads station and ride two stops north to Christine Avenue.
Do you have rooms for footy groups?
Yes. Choose from Triple rooms that sleep 3, Quad rooms that sleep 4, Family rooms that sleep 5, or Interconnecting rooms that sleep 5–6 with two bathrooms. Our 36-room motel has rooms from $125 a night.
Is parking free, and what is the cancellation policy?
Free on-site parking is included, subject to availability. Direct bookings have a 24-hour cancellation policy. Call (07) 5576 3211 or book online at burleighmotel.com.au/bookyourstay.
Book your AFL weekend
Rooms from $125 a night, 200m from Burleigh Beach, with free on-site parking (subject to availability) and the G:link on our corner. Book direct for the best rate.
Burleigh Gold Coast Motel · 1908–1910 Gold Coast Highway, Miami QLD 4220 (corner of Christine Avenue) · (07) 5576 3211 · info@burleighmotel.com.au
