AFL Gold Coast Accommodation for Suns Games and Grand Final Weekend
Updated: Sep 25
AFL Gold Coast accommodation for this Grand Final is in Miami.
The 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final is on Saturday 26 September, Fremantle against the Brisbane Lions, starting at 2:30pm at the MCG. Victoria does not switch to daylight saving until 4 October, so it is 2:30pm on the Gold Coast too, live on Channel Seven and 7plus from 2pm. Burleigh Gold Coast Motel is on the Gold Coast Highway in Miami, with the G:link at Christine Avenue on our corner and the north end of Burleigh Beach 200m down Sixth Avenue.
Here for the NRL as well? Our Gold Coast footy season guide covers both codes.
AFL Gold Coast accommodation for Grand Final weekend
Member allocations for the MCG are sold out, and there is no public on-sale, so most people on the Coast will watch it on a screen.
North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Supporters Club is at 293 The Esplanade, Miami, in the same suburb as the motel. It shows the Grand Final from 2pm on the big screens through the venue.
Burleigh Town Hotel on Tsipura Drive, Burleigh Heads has one of the largest screens in the Southern Hemisphere. The Sports Bar shows the match from 2pm, with footy food specials, giveaways and prizes, then live music in the Beer Garden from 6pm to 9pm. It is 18+. The courtesy bus runs Saturday from 12pm to midnight around Burleigh Heads and surrounds, within 10km. Text 0409 304 854 to book a pick-up.
Rooms for Grand Final weekend
Saturday and Sunday are still open to book direct. Free on-site parking is included, subject to availability, with one permit per room and no height restriction, so you can leave the car here. There is an outdoor pool, and the north end of Burleigh Beach is 200m down Sixth Avenue. We are 4.7 on Google, and Virgin Australia's Gold Coast guide names us the best budget-friendly stay in Burleigh Heads.
On a refundable direct booking you can cancel up to 24 hours before arrival. Non-refundable rates are charged in full when you book.
Book direct or call (07) 5576 3211.
Sunday footy at People First Stadium
The Suns' 2026 AFL season is finished. Carrara still has AFLW this weekend. People First Stadium, the former Metricon Stadium, is at 296 Nerang Broadbeach Road, Carrara.
Sunday 27 September 2026: Gold Coast Suns v St Kilda. Gates 4:15pm, start 5:05pm. Entry is Gate 3 only.
Saturday 24 October 2026: Gold Coast Suns v Richmond. Gates 3:15pm, start 4:05pm.
Sunday's parking, entry and tickets are on the Suns Game Day Guide. Gate times for both games are on the stadium What's On page.
Getting to Carrara from Miami
Sunday 27 September has no event shuttles. Regular Translink buses still run, and the nearest stop is about 500m from the gates. A pre-purchased game ticket or Suns membership covers Kinetic buses, Queensland Rail trains (not Airtrain) and G:link trams from four hours before the game until four hours after it ends. The 765 on our corner goes to Robina, so it is not the Carrara bus.
Driving on Sunday. Parking is free in the Blue Car Park, with no permit required. Pick-up and drop-off use that same car park, on the southern side of Nerang Broadbeach Road. For most other events the stadium has no public parking, and street restrictions apply, so check the Game Day Guide before a later game.
Trains are off this weekend. On Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September, rail buses replace trains between Varsity Lakes and Boggo Road. Gold Coast line trains are not running, including Nerang, Robina, Varsity Lakes and Helensvale. Allow extra time if you are coming from Brisbane. Details are on the Translink service update.
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. The 50-cent Translink fare covers trams and buses. It does not cover Airtrain.
When event shuttles do run, Broadbeach South, Nerang station and the Boowaggan Road Park 'n' Ride are the usual pick-up points. They are not running for Sunday's AFLW game.
Rooms for footy groups
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.
The AFL has confirmed Round 1 of 2027 starts on Wednesday 17 or Thursday 18 March 2027, with the full fixture due later in 2026. The 2027 Grand Final is on Saturday 2 October 2027, not the last Saturday in September.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 AFL Grand Final, and who is playing?
The 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final is on Saturday 26 September 2026 at the MCG. Fremantle play the Brisbane Lions, starting at 2:30pm, the same clock time on the Gold Coast. Competing-club and AFL member allocations are sold out, and there is no public on-sale. The 2027 Grand Final is on Saturday 2 October 2027.
Where can I watch the AFL Grand Final near Burleigh?
North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Supporters Club at 293 The Esplanade, Miami, shows the Grand Final from 2pm on big screens through the venue. Burleigh Town Hotel on Tsipura Drive, Burleigh Heads has one of the largest screens in the Southern Hemisphere and shows it from 2pm, with footy food specials, giveaways and live music in the Beer Garden from 6pm to 9pm. The hotel is 18+. Its courtesy bus runs Saturday from 12pm to midnight around Burleigh Heads and surrounds, within 10km. Text 0409 304 854 to book a pick-up.
What channel is the AFL Grand Final on?
The 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final is live and free-to-air on Channel Seven and 7plus, with coverage from 2pm AEST.
When do the Gold Coast Suns next play at Carrara?
The Suns' 2026 AFL season is finished. The AFLW side plays St Kilda at People First Stadium on Sunday 27 September 2026, gates 4:15pm and start 5:05pm, then Richmond on Saturday 24 October 2026, gates 3:15pm and start 4:05pm. The 2027 men's fixture is due later in 2026. Round 1 starts on Wednesday 17 or Thursday 18 March 2027.
How do I get to Sunday's game at People First Stadium?
There are no event shuttles for Sunday 27 September. Entry is Gate 3 only, and parking is free in the Blue Car Park with no permit. Without a car, take the G:link from Christine Avenue and a regular Translink bus. The nearest stop is about 500m from the gates. A game ticket or Suns membership covers Kinetic buses, Queensland Rail trains (not Airtrain) and G:link trams from four hours before the game until four hours after it ends. The 765 on our corner goes to Robina, so it is not the Carrara bus.
Are Gold Coast trains running this Grand Final weekend?
On Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September 2026, rail buses replace trains between Varsity Lakes and Boggo Road. Gold Coast line trains are not running, including at Nerang, Robina, Varsity Lakes and Helensvale. Allow extra time if you are coming from Brisbane or using Nerang station.
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. The 50-cent Translink fare covers trams and buses. It does not cover Airtrain.
Can I book a room for Grand Final weekend, and can I cancel?
Yes. 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. Free on-site parking is subject to availability. On a refundable direct booking you can cancel up to 24 hours before arrival. Non-refundable rates are charged in full when you book. Call (07) 5576 3211 or book at burleighmotel.com.au/bookyourstay.
Book Direct — Best Rates
200m from the north end of Burleigh Beach, free on-site parking subject to availability, and the G:link on our corner at Christine Avenue. Book direct for Grand Final weekend.
Phone: (07) 5576 3211 · Email: info@burleighmotel.com.au · Location: 1908–1910 Gold Coast Highway, Miami QLD 4220
Leave the car at the motel and watch the Grand Final a short trip from Christine Avenue.
