Ah yes, that glorious time of year where we bust out the maroon in anticipation of annihilating our cockroach foes on the footy field another epic State of Origin series. As one of the biggest spectacles on our sporting calendar gears up to stampede back onto our screens, The Star Gold Coast will be kicking few goals of its own with stellar viewing experiences slated for all three men’s and women’s stoushes.

As always, we can expect a buzzing atmosphere, frosty beverages and delicious footy fare, and of course, supersized screens at every turn to catch all the edge-of-your-seat Blues vs Maroons action! The big screens will be running red hot this year, with the women’s games hosted in the unrivalled Sports Bar surrounds on Thursday 6th and Thursday 27th of June. As will the grill, churning out burger specials to ensure your supporter stamina remains at its peak for the duration.

With Game One of the men’s series kicking off on Wednesday June 5th, choose to keep it classic with the infectious Sports Bar atmosphere, or cheer on the NRL’s best and brightest under the stars at The Lawn, Garden Kitchen & Bar. No matter your preferred vibe, you’re onto a winner here footy fans.

If you’re not so keen to rug up in your trusty supporter scarf and beanie combo, Sports Bar always delivers when it comes to game day vibes served in total style and toasty comfort… that’s kind of their whole specialty! Surrounded by an abundance of screens at which to glue your eyeballs, grab your wing men and women and soak up every minute in hi-def glory. Of course, if all that arduous spectating has you feeling depleted, they’ll be dishing up burger specials and thirst-quenching libations for the duration.

For those getting a crew of five or more together, the real play is booking yourselves a booth for the ultimate VIP-style game day experience. Available for up to ten people, $950 guarantees your group the best seats in the house with a $450 F&B tab and share-style spread of tasty bites to keep your sustenance up. With your claim staked on one of the cushy booths, you’ll receive multiple rounds of Garlic Bread and 2x All Star Platters to get stuck into, piled with chicken wings, salt & pepper calamari, mozzarella sticks, and chips. What better for tackling between triumphant cheers (and choice words… #CarnRef!).

If you’d rather revel stadium-style, catch every thrilling moment live under the night sky as The Lawn, Garden Kitchen & Bar fires up the festoon lights and jumbo screen for the occasion. If sprawling out in the lush, open-air surrounds surrounded by a sea of maroon sounds like just the ticket, why not level up your evening by pre-booking a picnic table and get your primo spot locked and loaded? Available for groups of up to ten, the pre-payment is fully redeemable on food and bev – at only $200, you’ll need to get on it like a dropped pass, Gold Coasters! Snap yours up here.

And with a winner night of Origin entertainment locked and loaded, there’s only one thing left to say… Up the maroons!

When: Men – Game 1: Wednesday, June 5th, Game 2: Wednesday, June 26th, Game 3: Wednesday, July 17th. Women – Game 2: Thursday, June 6th, Game 3: Thursday, June 27th
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Words by Kellie Leader

STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST

The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be aged 18 years or over to enter the casino. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT.

No matter if you’re team AFL or NRL, for the footy fanatics among us, the pointy end of the season also means it’s time to prepare ourselves to bid a bittersweet adieu to our beloved code yet again.

Whether you’re an AFL fan chomping at the bit for the sound of that sweet siren at 2.30pm on Saturday 28 September, or a League fanatic counting down till Sunday 6 October, the GC has you sorted. Clear the calendar and gather the buds for double the fun, nail-biting action and… hangover, lbh.

Go ale out to say farewell (or good riddance, depending on your footy fanatic status) to another glorious footy szn in style. Here are 12 local haunts getting into the game day spirit, so you don’t have to worry about your crew drinking your fridge dry.

The Star Gold Coast
Our fave recreation destination does this stuff with their eyes closed. Catch every bounce, tackle, try and goal on the on the mega screens from the electric atmosphere of the Sports Bar, or for some unbeatable alfresco vibes, Live on The Lawn. Oh, and it would also be a #rookieerror to not tackle one of those delish footy burg specials while you’re at it.
Where: 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach

The Club at Parkwood Village
Fun fact: The Sports Bar at The Club has over 40 (that’s 4-0) HD TVs, which this is bound to speak to any sports fan…and a particularly pertinent tidbit to bear in mind when GF weekend rolls around.
Where: 76-122 Napper Road, Parkwood

The Sporting Globe x 4 Pines
We’re not sure how we got so lucky with the calibre of mighty fine pubs, clubs and establishments us Gold Coasters get to frequent, but here’s another Grand Final worthy watering hole. Restoring the Glitter Strip’s favourite street corner to its former, brews and chews slinging glory, The Sporting Globe x 4 Pines venture is a state-of-the-art new venue complete with mixology from the city’s largest circular island bar, fancy pants wrap-around digital screens and an on-site microbrewery. Count us in!
Where: Cnr Cavill Avenue and Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

Currumbin RSL
Southern folk flock to Currumbin RSL in droves for footy final weekends, and 2024 will be no exception. Grab your mates and get creekside to catch all the action of both finals clashes, live and loud on their colossal plasma screens.
Where: 165 Duringan Street, Currumbin

Burleigh Town Hotel
No doubt this sprawling spot will be a popular choice come game day, boasting a massive wrap-around TV and a multitude of screens to scream at. And of course more ice-cold bevvy’s on tap than you’d need to fuel a Mad Monday sesh.
Where: Tsipura Drive, Burleigh Heads

Southport Sharks
No matter your preferred code (and no shade if that’s AFL, we’re all allowed to be wrong sometimes), the beloved Southport Sharks is welcoming the whole fam to get in on the finals festivities. The big game(s) will be broadcast live on the Mackenzie’s Beer Garden goliath big screen, plus the slew of tactically placed big screens throughout the club.. so you couldn’t miss a minute even if you try. Enjoy food and drinks specials all afternoon including free half time footy food throughout the club.
Where: Corner of Musgrave and Olsen Avenue, Southport

Crafty’s Sports Bar
Footy finals, refreshments a-plenty, and darn good footy grub await at Harbour Town’s epic sports bar, Crafty’s. This place has become quite the icon on the northern GC, and is the perfect spot to perch up and catch all the edge of your seat AFL and NRL Grand Final action. If you happen to have the ankle biters in tow, no worries because kids and cool folk unite at this crowd fave.
Where: Harbour Town Premium Outlets, Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters

Burleigh Bears Leagues Club
If you can’t make it to the actual finals, don’t fret as Burleigh Bears Leagues Club is known as the ultimate destination for every sporting event #TrueStory. Whether you catch the games in the Lounge or Sports Bar, sit back, relax and pair the good times with a couple of cold ones. With friendly staff at every turn, you can see why this one is a finals venue of choice.
Where: 80 Pacific Avenue, Miami

The Coolangatta Hotel
Are you ready to watch the finals Cooly Hotel style (translation; with the trifecta of vibes, authentic footy eats and of course, booze)? Opting to cheer on our team at the Southern GC’s go-to entertainment HQ is akin to leaving a sideline conversion in JT’s hands aka, a sure thing.
Where: The Strand, Marine Parade, Coolangatta

The Cavill Hotel
What could be more fitting for a supersized GF weekend than a supersized screen? Look no further than The Cavill, sporting one of the biggest screens in Surfers, bc this is absolutely one of those occasions where #BiggerIsBetter! For the savviest of sports fans, book yourself a table to support your code in style.
Where: 46 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

The Sporting Globe Bar & Grill
Boasting over 50 screens, we challenge you to miss a moment of the action #MissionImpossible. Full menu is available including their signature wings, burgers, parmas, ribs & share platters!
Where: The Promenade, Robina Town Centre, Robina

Robina Pavilion
Avoid your digs undergoing a Mojo Dojo Casa House transformation this GF weekend, and divert the crew to an electric atmosphere made for tackling that fever pitch finale energy. The spruce-up Robina Pav was treated to a few years back make this destination and its myriad of pozzy’s at which to perch, a delight for begrudging tag-alongs and those set to have their eyes glued for every second of the action.
Where: 229 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina  

Words by Kellie Leader and Belinda Symons