Let the Games begin!

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games opened with a bang on Wednesday night.

Over 11 days, more than 6600 athletes and team officials from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories will share in the excitement of GC2018. 

Across four event cities - the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns - the Games is expected to attract more than 670,000 visitors and generate billions of dollars for the Queensland economy. 

With the eyes of more than a billion people on Queensland last night for the Opening Ceremony, GOLDOC chairman Peter Beattie welcomed the world to experience Queensland, where life is 'Beautiful One Day, Perfect The Next', and a series of postcard style tourism showcases set the tone for a long-term legacy the Games will provide Queensland's tourism industry.

Relive the Opening Ceremony highlights