Gold Clash Brings Cricket and Football Legends to Cairns
The Queensland government has secured a major new sporting event for Cairns, a T20 spectacle called the Gold Clash. The event will feature cricket and football stars, including Usman Khawaja, Michael Hussey, Aaron Finch, Ash Barty, Jonathan Thurston, Sam Burgess, Joel Selwood, and Dale Thomas.
The game is inspired by New Zealand's Black Clash and will be held at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on November 22, 2026. The event is expected to attract almost 12,000 fans and deliver millions of dollars in economic impact for Tropical North Queensland.
Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell said the Gold Clash was a key part of the government's Destination 2045 vision to grow Queensland's visitor economy through world-class events and experiences. The event will be supported by the Crisafulli Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, delivered in alliance with Cairns Regional Council and Tourism Tropical North Queensland.