Photos by Lloyd Rothwell, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71
Cbus Super Stadium
Centreline Pl
Robina, QLD 4226 Australia
Year Opened: 2008
Capacity: 27,000
Titans Super at Cbus
Originally known as Robina Stadium, Cbus Super Stadium was opened in 2008 with a capacity of 27,000. The venue was constructed to serve as a home ground for the new NRL entity, the Gold Coast Giants. Former A-League club, Gold Coast United, was also a permanent tenant. Additionally, Cbus Super Stadium has hosted several rugby league test matches, the Gold Coast Sevens tournament as part of the World Rugby Sevens Series, and the Queensland Country NRC rugby team. The stadium is owned by the Queensland State Government and is supposedly a smaller replica of Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
The rugby league on the Gold Coast has a chequered history. The region was first granted an expansion team in 1988. The club existed for only 11 seasons, during which time they were variously known as Gold Coast-Tweed Giants, Gold Coast Seagulls, Gold Coast Gladiators, and lastly, Gold Coast Chargers.
Unfortunately the club never really gained much support from locals and suffered from various ownership changes and boardroom politicking. Almost 10 years later the Titans were formed and admitted to the NRL, playing their first season at nearby Metricon Stadium.
While the Titans have been more successful in growing a fan base and achieving commendable results on the field, they too have found themselves embroiled in several controversies including financial inconsistencies and a salary cap breach. Despite this, it appears the Titans are in for the long haul in their shiny new home at Robina.
Food & Beverage 4
Several outlets can be found along the concourse behind the seating bowl. They are well-designed and provide easy flow and efficient service. There is a slightly larger range of offerings normally found at other NRL venues, although unsurprisingly, prices are uniformly high. You’ll likely pay $10-$15 per adult for food, with an additional $5 for a soft drink or $7.60 for a mid-strength beer.
Atmosphere 4
Cbus Super Stadium is only young in comparison to most high-level sporting stadiums in Australia. It is considered a smaller boutique venue, and as such, the seating bowl is limited to one stand on each of the four sides. There are screens located in the northwestern corner and southeastern corner, not huge but adequate.
The seats match the Titans colours with a nice wave pattern on each side. Interestingly the northern stand was not used at all for the game we attended. The roof is well designed for both weather protection and for enhancing crowd noise. There aren’t many other personalised touches but largely the stadium is a great fit for the Titans.
Neighborhood 5
Robina is a development project which has steadily grown over the past 20 years. It is largely residential save for the health precinct and town centre shopping centre. The stadium is at the northern end of the suburb, with the only structure of note in the vicinity being Bond University Institute of Health and Sport building. That being the case, local attractions in the immediate area are minor.
However, Robina is of course located on the Gold Coast, famous for its beaches and tourist attractions. The coastal strip closest to the stadium is Broadbeach which has a great beach (Kurrawa, long-time host of the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships), numerous hotels and holiday units, Jupiters Casino, and a mall full of great restaurants and cafes. A couple of suggestions include Marigold Indian Restaurant (53/54 Ground Floor Oasis Shopping Centre), Kurrawa Surf Club (Old Burleigh Rd), and Mario’s Italian (Oasis Shopping Centre).
Further afield, the Gold Coast is home to several large theme parks including Warner Bros Movie World, Sea World, Wet ‘n’ Wild, and Dreamworld. The best surfing beaches in the area are Kirra, Burleigh Heads, and Snapper Rocks. The Gold Coast is highly populated and the surf is always crowded.
Gold Coast Airport straddles the QLD-NSW border at Coolangatta and is around a 15-20 mins drive from the stadium. If you’re visiting the Gold Coast it’s also worth remembering that the state capital of Brisbane is only an hour to the north, while the stunning beaches of Ballina and Lennox Head are an hour to the south.
Fans 3
Crowds have steadily declined over the past few years as the Titans have struggled through financial and off-field dramas. The current average is around 12,000 although a derby game against the Brisbane Broncos would be expected to draw higher. To a certain extent, the Titans need to rebuild trust with the community, although if they win more games there’s no doubt fans will return quicker.
As the population of the Gold Coast is largely transplanted from around Australia, many locals retain their allegiances to other teams. As a result, you can expect to see plenty of opposition fans in attendance, regardless of who the Titans are playing. Generally, the crowd is good-natured, well-behaved, and supports their team well.
Access 3
Cbus Super Stadium is not designed to be accessible via private car. There is pretty much no parking whatsoever, with the stadium offering none and parking restrictions heavily enforced on the local streets. However, if you get there early and look around you can probably jag a spot within 10 minute walk of the stadium.
I managed to get a free spot with no time limit across the road from the local high school. It might also be worth trying to park at the shopping centre. You are highly encouraged to utilise public transport with Robina Train Station basically on the stadium's doorstep. The price of public transport is usually included in your Titans game ticket.
It’s a little difficult to spot the stadium as you approach by foot, as you are directed down Stadium Drive which is not the most direct route. The Bond University Building also provides a stark visual obstruction.
Once inside, it’s a completely different story with nice wide concourses facilitating easy movement around the stadium. The signage is clear and the stadium is very clean, bathrooms included. My only complaint regarding the concourse is that you are unable to sight the playing field, which in itself wouldn’t be too much of an issue except that there are no television screens. An interesting quirk once inside the seating bowl is the small height of each step – and if you are seated up high there will be plenty of steps to climb.
Return on Investment 4
Given the reports of excessive match day fees for the Titans to hire the ground, it’s surprising that tickets aren’t more expensive. I don’t often say this, especially for the NRL, but in this case, tickets are well-priced. The best adult tickets run about $40 which is a great value. There’s not r bad seat in the house and while there are ushers at each section, there is still some flexibility in terms of “upgrading” your allocated seat. The Titans also use several fan engagement activities to enhance the experience.
Extras 3
Bonus points for fan engagement activities on the stadium forecourt, the merchandise outlets, and the entertainment during breaks in play (large cheerleading display and junior games throughout the afternoon).
Final Thoughts
The Gold Coast is a tourist hot spot. If you’re in town during the cooler months a visit to see the Titans play at Cbus Super Stadium is recommended for a well-priced and enjoyable, modern stadium experience.