Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre to host 2022 Urban Sport Festival

‘Urban Sport Fest’ was today announced to take place in 2022 at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre and marks the first time a BMX Freestyle World Cup will take place in Australia

The three-day festival, to be held 9th-11th December will feature the best BMX riders in the world, competing in a BMX Freestyle World Cup, one of three in the world.

The event will also feature a music line-up curated by the team responsible for “The Drop” boutique festivals. In the coming months more family-friendly sports experiences and some of the best rising talent from Australian music will be announced.

Matt Burgess from Evolve Sports, who is the founder of the festival, is thrilled to deliver a series of firsts for the adrenalin pumping sport within the event offering which has something for everyone.

Burgess shares “this is truly a festival of firsts for the Gold Coast and Australia. The UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup event is sanctioned by the world cycling governing body, Union Cycliste Internationale and will likely be a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics’, meaning you’ll see the best of the best competing. Our connection between the community these sports represent and the Olympic podium are what distinguish Urban Sport Fest from other action sports exhibitions.

“Also, 2022 is the first-year equal prizemoney is on offer for male and female riders, which is significant for the sport, and something we considered integral to our investment.

“Another major focus will be the coming together of action sports, music and culture – opening up each unique segment to new audiences and cross-promotional opportunities.

“It’s going to be a vibrant melting pot of entertainment combining leisurely viewing through to adrenalin pulsating fun – something we know the Gold Coast will love.”

QLD Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Urban Sport Fest was an exciting opportunity to promote Queensland’s first-class BMX facilities and home-grown talent to the world.

“This is a terrific example of the sporting events Queensland can attract on the runway to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Minister Hinchliffe said.

“Events like Urban Sport Fest bring competitors and spectators to the Gold Coast who contribute to the local visitor economy and support jobs.

“Urban Sport Fest is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate to the BMX world the high calibre of the region’s riders and the versatility of the Gold Coast’s stunning BMX training infrastructure. “For adrenaline sport, few destinations can beat the Gold Coast.”

Tokyo Olympic and X-Games Gold Medallist, and local Queensland hero, Logan Martin was also on-site for the announcement and will be the rider to beat as the best in the world come together for the new event.

“I’m stoked to see an event of this calibre taking place in my hometown here on the Gold Coast,” said Martin.

“It’s exciting to have not only the 150 best riders competing at World Cup level, but to do it at scale within the festival means we can showcase our exciting sport to new spectators and hopefully fans.”

Urban Sport Fest will deliver an inclusive, affordable, and action-packed offering across three days.

Three-day event passes for Urban Sport Festival are on sale now.

Image top: Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre Credit: Visit Brisbane: image above: UCI BMX Freestyle Montpelier France