FAQs

In February, 2025 we engaged an external research company - String Research, who has conducted research for both the AFL and a number of AFL Clubs assisting in the development of consumer product suites based off data, member and fan feedback. 
After an extensive survey process which involved existing 2025 members, lapsed members, ticket purchasers and an independent panel we received overwhelming feedback and insight into the existing product suite and what our consumers valued most. 

After careful consideration, numerous discussions at board level and using the feedback received through the research piece, it was determined that the consumer product suite which has largely been in market since the Club's inception warranted an extensive review and reset. The Club has seen significant development since its inception, the Gold Coast market has changed post-covid and the AFL landscape in South East Qld continues to grow - we simply must be adaptable to these changes and ensure we are offering a suitable product suite in line with growth and development. 

Some key feedback factors we received which have helped shape our decisions include the following:

- Members wanting to feel a stronger sense of connection to the Club
- A lack of diversity across the membership offering
- Disparity is membership prices but no/minimal difference in benefits and inclusions
- Members wanting to be acknowledged and rewarded for loyalty and consecutive tenure
- More options and flexibility
- More premium access and inclusions
- No clear member continuum
- Better value for money 

In 2025, your Silver membership provided you with a dedicated reserved seat across bays 216-224. Within these bays, there are 4,259 seats to accommodate 1,326 members. For all home matches, this left a minimum 2,933 empty seats being placed on public sale to ensure we could maximise match day ticketing revenue. 

When playing A+ scale games that draw sell-out crowds like Q-Clash or Collingwood - this means opposition supporters are out-numbering our own SUNS members in their own member seating bays.

We also received an overwhelming amount of complaints throughout the year stating that other levels of membership (general admission members) and the general public, including opposition supporters were sneaking into Silver members seating areas. 

The changes to our whole 2026 membership product suite including The Sundeck have been designed to continue to build on our home ground advantage, ensuring our member bays are full of our members only. We also want to generate an increased sense of belonging and connection amongst our members. 

We have elected to provide you with the best viewing seats on Level 2 in this area – bays 225-228, moving our player families and Club player enclosures into 224,223 to ensure you are getting access to our most premium level 2 seating – in the shade and closer to our members in the Western stands.

We understand this is a big change and we still have options available if you would like to purchase a dedicated reserved seat membership. 

Premiership Circle – Level 1, Premiership Circle – Level 2 and Premiership Circle – Rooftop are all membership categories in 2026 that offer a dedicated reserved seat. 

Each of these packages also include Grand-Final Guarantee and additional member inclusions and benefits but do not provide access to guest passes throughout the season and won’t include access to Bring A Friend for free rounds. 

We understand this new arrangement might have you feeling anxious about turning up to a game and not being able to get a seat. 

This simply, won’t happen. 

We have conducted a lot of research into our member show rates, had numerous meetings with the AFL and other AFL Clubs who have moved some of their membership packages to this model too. 

The highest show rates of existing members in our former reserved seating areas since the Club’s inception are as follows:

Level 1 Silver
Seats Available: 576
Total Seats Sold: 276
Average Member Show Rate in 2025: 55.7%
3 Highest Attended Games in Club History in this seating area: 
1. v Collingwood | Round 18 2025 | 67.7%
2. v Collingwood | Round 16 2024 | 65.2%
3. v Essendon | Round 12 2024 | 65%

Level 2 Silver
Seats Available: 4259
Total Seats Sold: 1326
Average Member Show Rate in 2025: 66% 
3 Highest Attended Games in Club History in this seating area: 
1. v Collingwood | Round 16 2024 | 77%
2. v Richmond | Round 0 2024 | 76.6%
3. v Collingwood | Round 18 2025 | 76%

Level 1 Gold
Seats Available: 1339
Total Seats Sold: 1003
Average Member Show Rate in 2025: 69%
3 Highest Attended Games in Club History in this seating area: 
1. v Collingwood | Round 18 2025 | 79.4%
2. v Richmond | Round 0 2024 | 77.%
3. v Collingwood | Round 16 2024 | 76.8%

Level 2 Gold
Seats Available: 1855
Total Seats Sold: 346
Average Member Show Rate in 2025: 71%
3 Highest Attended Games in Club History in this seating area: 
1. v Collingwood | Round 16 2024 | 82.7%
2. v Richmond | Round 0 2024 | 81.5%
3. v Collingwood | Round 18 2025 | 80.4%

Total number of reserved seat inventory available, across former reserved seat membership categories in 2025: 8029 seats
Total number of Reserved seat members in 2025: 2951 members

The above numbers outline that even for matches deemed a 'sellout' or Category A games - the highest ever attendance rate recorded across our reserved seat bays at People First Stadium was 82.7%. 
We can guarantee that there will always be seats available in your reserved seats bays. 

For A scale matches, or Blockbuster matches that the Club deems 'fully ticketed,' general admission members will be required to upgrade to a discounted reserved seat. 

Fully ticketed matches and the requirements to upgrade to a reserved seat are and have been, common practice across all AFL Clubs for many years. 
This process was introduced to avoid venue lockouts - whereby, a venue reaches capacity and must turn away patrons at the gates, at the time of the event. 

General admission memberships cover the admission component of attending matches - they do not guarantee, or cover the cost of a seat. 

If the Gold Coast SUNS deem a match 'fully-ticketed,' general admission members will be required to upgrade to a discounted reserved seat. 

In 2025, the SUNS has one (1) game only where general admission members were required to upgrade to a reserved seat. 

The 2026 fixture, including day of the week, time and opponent as well as forecast crowd figures based on ticket sales, will determine whether or not a match will be deemed 'fully ticketed'.

All general admission members will be communicated with in a timely manner for matches where upgrading to a reserved seat is recommended or required. 

 

In place of both the SUNScreamer Away and Territory SUNS membership, the Club has introduced an Interstate membership for the reduced price of $115, providing access to up to two (2) games played in your state. 

The Interstate membership provides more flexibility to those based in states outside of Victoria and the Northern Territory as we work to expand and grow our interstate supporter base. 

We appreciate SUNScreamer Away members had access to some of the benefits SUNScreamer Home members had in 2025, in regard to seating in the Cheer squad for away matches and finals matches. We are developing a solution to ensure interstate members who wish to sit amongst out Cheer squad at SUNS away games, will be able to do so. We will be in touch with how we plan to manage this process when the 2026 AFL fixture is formalised.  

The stadium’s Transport Management Plan is currently under review. 
Carparking arrangements for 2026 will be communicated in the new year. 
The Gold Coast SUNS have been asked to remove any carparking memberships from SUNS pay auto-renewal until we understand more. As soon as we receive clarity on carparking processes, we will be in touch with those who held a carparking product in 2025.

People First Stadium will become a digital stadium in 2026 which means barcoded memberships will cease to exist. 

With advancements in technology, many venues across the country continue to transition into fully digital venues.

We acknowledge there were a number of issues with the SUNS App in 2025 that’s caused significant frustrations for our members. We have received confirmation from the AFL app designers that new technology and significant improvements to Club apps will be introduced for the 2026 season and beyond and we will continuously work with them throughout the season to ensure digital membership cards ca be easily accessed and utilised.

The Club will send clear and detailed information on how to access your digital membership card in the new year. 

For those who collect membership cards, the Club will have commemorative non-barcoded membership cards available for collection at home games determined by the Club throughout the 2026 season. 

For those who do not have access to a smart phone or device to access your digital membership, please contact our membership team to discuss your options.
 

The 5% member loyalty discount has been replaced by the new and improved Reward & Recognition program which rewards member loyalty and tenure through additional fulfilment items, experiences and events. All Reward and Recognition benefits can be viewed under the Reward & Recognition tab at the top of the membership website. 

The Club is in discussions with the AFL and NT Government to determine the number of home games the SUNS will play at People First Stadium in 2026. 
We expect to have a clear indication in line with the 2026 AFL fixture release which we expect in mid-November. 
As soon as the Club has any further information on home games at People First Stadium in 2026, our members will be notified.