The huge success of the 2018 Commonwealth Games put the Gold Coast on the map as a major sporting destination, a reputation reinforced by this summer's jam-packed line-up.

The veritable advent calendar of sports gets a head start on December 8 as the GC50 Run Festival hits the streets. Runners of all ages will tackle courses of up to 50 kilometres, with the beautiful Gold Coast beachfront as a backdrop.

That's followed by the 2019 Australian PGA Championship, which tees off for a seventh year at RACV Royal Pines Resort on December 19. The tournament will be preceded by a number of special events, including a Celebrity Pro-Am featuring the AFL's Charlie Cameron and NRL legend Johnathan Thurston.

"Being on the Gold Coast elevates the Championship into a feature event," says the PGA's Jonno Nash.

"The Royal Pines Resort is such a great hub, as a facility it can host so much."

This year's festivities include the Greg Norman Medal - "the Dally M of golf" - and the first-ever Carols on the Course event, just in time for Christmas.

"Golf is a drawcard, but the activities for kids are huge. It's a very family-focused event that truly engages the fans."

Things heat up on December 22 as the Brisbane Heat and the Hobart Hurricanes clash at Metricon Stadium in its first year hosting the Big Bash League.

"Playing on the Gold Coast was a natural move for us," says Queensland Cricket's Pete Lock.

"It's a great stadium, the pitch is perfect, and the facilities are world-class and ready-made for BBL."

Metricon also hosts showdowns between the Heat and the Sydney Sixers on New Year's Day, and the Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder on January 5.

"We've got a long-term vision to build cricket on the Gold Coast," he says.

"The weather's great, the players love it, and there's a growing fan base here. It's only going to get bigger."

That's if there's room between the Magic Millions, the Bartercard Sail Paradise Regatta and the NRL All Stars, all of which will hit the Gold Coast before the end of summer.

The season winds up with another massive first. Women's AFL is perhaps the fastest-growing sport in Australia right now, and this year's AFLW Comp sees the Gold Coast Suns join for the first time.

"We're the only national-level women's sporting team on the Gold Coast," says Fiona McLarty, GC Suns' Head of Women's Football.

"We're very proud of that."

The Suns will take on GWS in Sydney for their first match, but round two will see them play the first of three home games of the season. The Gold Coast's famous weather is a secret weapon.

"Training in the heat definitely gives us an advantage over the southern teams," McLarty says.

The majority of the team is in their element, too: 22 of the 30 players are Queenslanders.

"Our girls are all from such varied careers, too," McLarty says. "We've got a doctor, an environmental scientist, teachers, but they're also elite athletes.

"The community and the Gold Coast Council have been fantastic, so supportive," she says.

"AFLW games are free, so we hope the community turns out to cheer us on."

The Suns will play Richmond at Metricon Stadium on February 15.

This feature has been produced in collaboration with City of Gold Coast

Australian Associated Press