Metricon Homes has signed a five-year extension to its naming rights deal for the home of the Gold Coast SUNS. Having first secured sponsorship of the 27,500-seat stadium in 2011, Australia’s leading home builder will take their naming rights partnership of Metricon Stadium into a tenth year.

SUNS Chief Executive Andrew Travis paid tribute to Metricon’s commitment to the stadium and the SUNS.

“When you start an elite sporting team from scratch it’s important to have partners who are willing to stay the course, we truly value long-term partners and Metricon have been with us all the way and we are thrilled that will continue for a further five years.

“It’s also important to secure partners who are leaders in their industry, and Metricon, Australia’s leading home builder, joins other industry leaders, HOSTPLUS, Fiat Chrysler Australia, Southport Sharks and Virgin Australia as key partners of the Gold Coast SUNS.”

Mr Travis added that Metricon’s commitment not only supports the SUNS but the Gold Coast.

“Metricon’s support goes beyond backing the SUNS, it’s a true investment in the Gold Coast. The development of Metricon Stadium has seen an average contribution to the local economy of some $38 million per year over the last five years, meaning we’re not only part of the future of this great game but also an integral part of the Gold Coast’s story,” he said.

Metricon’s Chief Executive Officer Mario Biasin said, “We build more than 1,000 homes in Queensland each year and we are very proud to be continuing to support this fantastic State, team and sport up until the end of 2020.

Unlike the more established Stadiums, Metricon Stadium is now writing its own history.

In 2015, the SUNS, along with global ICT giant, and SUNS Major Support Partner, Huawei, announced that Metricon Stadium had become the first Wi-Fi connected stadium in Queensland, and as recently as last week, Metricon Stadium released a free app that will maximise the stadium’s new high-density Wi-Fi delivering customers the connectivity they desire and a more immersive fan experience.

Metricon Stadium was jointly funded by the Queensland Government ($71.9m), Commonwealth Government ($36m), Gold Coast City Council ($23m) and the AFL ($13.3m) and is a multipurpose facility that currently seats 27,500 spectators and will be capable of being extended to 40,000 seats for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Metricon Stadium also provides the Gold Coast with an enhanced opportunity to attract additional events to the city including sporting, concert and community events. These include International Rules, Gold Coast Festival of Cycling, Foo Fighters, Big Day Out and the annual Homeless Connect and Homeless Sleepout Charity Events.