GOLD COAST Hosts The Nation’s Largest Junior Football Tournament

The 2024 Premier Invitational Successfully Kicks Off

The 2024 Premier Invitational, Australia’s largest junior football tournament, kicked off again in September, drawing teams from across Australasia. The prestigious annual event saw over 500 teams, 6,000 players, and 1,500 coaches, managers, and assistants descend upon the Gold Coast for an action-packed nine days of football.

The standard of competing teams improves each season with A-League side Adelaide United sending their U9, U10, U11, and U12 teams to the Gold Coast, highlighting the calibre of talent on display. With the tournament growing in size and prestige each year, the 2024 event was the biggest yet.

The 2023 tournament saw 337 teams participate, drawing a total attendance of 76,478 and generating an economic benefit of $10,942,487. With this year’s tournament set to welcome 500 teams, the attendance was expected to exceed 113,000, while the economic impact is on track to surpass $16 million.

The Premier Invitational continues to align with the Magic Group’s ambitious 5-Year Strategic Plan for the event (2024-2028), which aims to expand to 1,000 teams. Ongoing discussions with key stakeholders are also in place to secure venue expansions, including the potential use of major stadiums and infrastructure across the Gold Coast.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate expressed his enthusiasm for the event:

“Not long after hosting the Socceroos here on the Gold Coast, the kids get the chance to make their mark on the pitch at the exciting Premier Invitational festival of football.”

“We love large participation sports events here, and with 6,000 boys and girls from over 500 teams from across Australasia, there is no doubt this will become Australia’s biggest football tournament.”“The players will not only get to enjoy top-level competition but will also be able to experience all the holiday fun that the Gold Coast has to offer.”

Magic United Founder and Contest Director Adem Poric echoed the Mayor’s sentiments.

“Each year, as a team, we set out to deliver the best junior football tournament in Australia, attracting as many teams from across Australasia as possible to the Gold Coast. Pleasingly, the 2024 event has been our biggest and most successful to date, and preparations are well underway to ensure we continue to deliver a tournament that promotes fair play, equality, and competitive opportunities for male and female players across all age groups.”

The 2024 Premier Invitational attracted substantial backing from both local and state governments, along with a host of premium national and local partners, showcasing the event’s significance and impact on the region.

The Premier Invitational is proud to partner with the following businesses:

• Platinum Sponsor:
  Ultra Football
• Gold Sponsors:
  Tourism and Events Queensland
  Experience Gold Coast
  Coastal Dental Care
• Silver Sponsors:
  Hungry Jack’s
  Somersault Productions
• Bronze Sponsors:
  TFH
  Grand Motors Toyota
  Green Skips
• Airline Partner:
  Qantas
• Partners

Village Roadshow
Loose Moose
Koi

• Accommodation Partners:
  Elite
  Dorsett

This impressive lineup of partners ensures that participants and attendees alike will experience a top-tier event, with the Gold Coast region benefitting from the increased exposure and economic activity generated by the tournament.

For more information on the 2024 Premier Invitational, please contact:
Andy Robinson, General Manager, The Magic Group.

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: 0413888643