The 2018 Commonwealth Games, officially the XXI Commonwealth Games, were held on Australia’s Gold Coast, Queensland, from 4–15 April 2018. Known as Gold Coast 2018 (GC2018) and promoted under the motto Share the Dream, the Games brought together competitors from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories. Around 6,600 athletes and team officials participated, with 275 medal events across 18 sports, including an extensive program of integrated para-sport.
Gold Coast 2018 was particularly notable for its emphasis on equality and inclusion. It was the first Commonwealth Games to offer an equal number of medal events for men and women, while its para-sport program was the largest yet staged at the Games. Women’s rugby sevens and beach volleyball made their Commonwealth Games debuts, and basketball returned after a twelve-year absence.
Competition took place primarily on the Gold Coast, with additional events in Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville. Carrara Stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies. Host nation Australia dominated the competition, finishing first in the medal table with 80 gold, 59 silver and 59 bronze medals, 198 in total.
The Games attracted approximately 1.2 million ticketed spectators and an estimated cumulative worldwide television audience of 1.5 billion, making GC2018 one of the largest sporting events ever staged in Queensland.
Stamp designed by Sonia Young at Australia Post Design Studio, and printed by RA Printing. Issued 20 March 2018.
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