BRISBANE, Queensland, Aug. 20 -- The Queensland Department of the Premier and Cabinet issued text of the following statement:
Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew Powell
* The Crisafulli Government is putting Queensland's events calendar in the spotlight, with tickets now on sale for the Australian-exclusive T20 Gold Clash in Cairns.
* The Gold Clash is the latest major addition to Queensland's events calendar, helping cement the State's reputation as Australia's events capital and giving fans another reason to visit Tropical North Queensland.
* The event supports the Crisafulli Government'sDestination 2045 vision to grow Queensland's visitor economy and create new opportunities for Far North Queensland after a decade of decline under the former Labor Government.
Tickets are on sale now for the Australian-exclusive Gold Clash, giving fans the chance to see some of cricket and footy's biggest names go head-to-head in Cairns this November.
The all-new sporting spectacle will take centre stage at Cazalys Stadium on Sunday 22 November, with almost 12,000 fans expected to pack the stadium for the Twenty20 showdown between Team Cricket and Team Footy.
The Gold Clash adds another major event to Queensland's growing calendar of sporting and entertainment blockbusters, cementing the State's reputation as Australia's events capital.
Inspired by New Zealand's sell-out Black Clash, the Australian debut will feature some of the biggest names in Australian sport, with Usman Khawaja, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey and wildcard Ash Barty headlining Team Cricket alongside West Indies legend Brian Lara.
Team Footy will bring together stars from Australia's biggest codes, with NRL legends Jonathan Thurston and Sam Burgess joining AFL greats Joel Selwood and Dale Thomas. The full contingent will be announced soon.
The event is expected to generate an estimated $2.75 million for Queensland, providing a boost for Tropical North Queensland and supporting local hotels, restaurants, tour operators and other businesses.
The Gold Clash supports the Crisafulli Government's Destination 2045 plan by attracting major events and experiences that give people more reasons to visit, stay longer and explore the State.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said tickets going on sale was another reason for sports fans to put Cairns on their calendar.
"We're cementing Queensland as Australia's events capital, and the Gold Clash is exactly the kind of major event that strengthens our reputation as the place to be for major events," Minister Powell said.
"Tickets are on sale now, giving fans the chance to see some of the biggest names in Australian sport go head-to-head in what will be a fantastic day out in Cairns.
"Events like this bring visitors into our regions, support local jobs and businesses and give people another reason to stay longer and experience everything Queensland has to offer.
"This is Destination 2045 in action - using major events to grow our visitor economy and keep Queensland firmly on the national stage."
Assistant Minister for Tourism and Member for Barron River Bree James said Cairns was ready to welcome fans from across Australia.
"Cairns is ready to put on a show, and there is no better place to experience the Gold Clash than Tropical North Queensland," Ms James said.
"Fans will come for the action at Cazalys Stadium, but I want them to stay longer and experience the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest and everything our region has to offer.
"Every visitor means more business for our local hotels, restaurants, tour operators and other businesses, spreading the benefits of this event well beyond match day."
Mayor of Cairns Regional Council Amy Eden said bringing the inaugural Gold Clash to Cairns was a real vote of confidence for the city.
"Watching cricket's biggest names take on NRL and AFL legends is one of those ideas where you immediately think, 'I'd buy a ticket for that," Mayor Eden said.
"Bringing the inaugural Gold Clash to Cairns is a real vote of confidence in our city.
"We know how to host major events, and we know how to make visitors want to stay a little longer.
"Let's be honest, seeing some of Australia's greatest sporting legends swapping codes is going to be a lot of fun, and maybe even settle the age-old debate about which code comes out on top."
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said the T20 Cairns Gold Clash would encourage sporting fans north to discover just how good the tropics were in the lead-up to summer.
"The transition from Spring into Summer is such great time of year, the skies are clear, the Great Barrier Reef is at its clearest and it's typically the best time of the year to be on the water," Mr Olsen said.
"The restaurants are full of fresh local produce, and mangoes are in season. The long evenings are perfect for leisurely sunset drinks and dinner overlooking the waterfront at one of the city's many extraordinary restaurants."
David Higgins of Duco Events said the Australian event would bring the proven combination of elite sporting talent, entertainment and cross-code rivalry to a new audience.
"After seeing the incredible response to the concept in New Zealand, we're thrilled to bring the T20 Gold Clash to Australia for the first time," Mr Higgins said.
"The appeal is seeing sporting superstars step outside their usual codes and compete against each other - and once the first ball is bowled, the competitiveness is very real."
The T20 Gold Clash Cairns 2026 is proudly supported by the Crisafulli Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and delivered through an alliance with Cairns Regional Council and Tourism Tropical North Queensland, alongside Duco Events.
Tickets are on sale now at goldclash.com.au
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Ruth McCosker, 0406 331 114
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
