sport
Gold Coast Suns Season Preview: Finals Focus Sharpens Ahead of 2026 AFL Campaign
Local side targets September action after ramping up preparations at key regional facilities.
How we reported this
The Gold Coast Suns begin their push for a 2026 AFL finals berth with an intra-club practice match scheduled for July 19 at People First Stadium in Carrara.
The timing aligns with the AFL season reaching its midpoint, where clubs must secure key wins before the final eight is locked in by late August.
Preparations at Regional Venues
Training sessions have shifted between the main ground at People First Stadium on Nerang-Broadbeach Road and the auxiliary fields at the Gold Coast Sports Centre in Carrara, allowing the Suns to test line-ups under match-like conditions while local junior programs from Southport run parallel development drills.
These sites sit within a 15-minute drive of each other, enabling efficient use of time for both senior players and the club's academy based near Surfers Paradise.
Club records show average home attendance reached 14,200 across the 2025 season, with general admission tickets priced from $28 for adults.
Path to September Action
Coaches have scheduled three more internal matches before the Suns host their next home game against Melbourne on August 2, giving time to refine set pieces ahead of the finals window that opens on September 5.
Supporters can purchase early-bird packages through the Suns website or at the club store on Bundall Road for the remaining home fixtures, with reserved seating starting at $45.