The schedule was launched as part of the one year to go celebrations, with 26 athletes helping with their unveiling here today.

"We are proud to present the Gold Coast 2018 competition events schedule after many months of planning and coordination with all relevant stakeholders," Brenton Rickard, a three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Gold Coast 2018’s sport services, venues, operations and sport manager, said. 

"We have factored in many different considerations into the design of the competition event schedule and believe the outcome is one that everyone from athletes to broadcasters and international sporting federations will be happy with.

"The action starts with a sporting feast on day one with 13 sports on display including the first ever beach volleyball competition to take place at a Commonwealth Games.

"Day 10 really will be 'Super Saturday’ with some of the world’s best athletes competing for 44 gold medals across a wide variety of sports including athletics, boxing, cycling, diving, hockey and wrestling.”

Gold Coast 2018 have claimed they attempted to maximise exposure for all 23 sporting disciplines through both ticket sales and television audiences, while also aiding the spectator experience by staggering event start and finish times.

The schedule also aims to maximise the athlete performance by considering factors such as recovery periods, as well as attempting to help national and international broadcasters across multiple time zones.

The Opening Ceremony is due to get the Games underway on April 4, with the event scheduled to run from 6pm local time to 10.45pm.

Women’s triathlon will be the first gold medal won on the opening day of competition on April 5, as it was at Glasgow 2014.

Both the men’s and women’s 100 metres finals, expected to be among the most in demand events for tickets, will both take place on the fifth day of the Games.

Rugby sevens will be the final competition to conclude as the sport, which is making its Games debut, will round off medal proceedings on April 15.

It will be followed by the Closing Ceremony at Carrara Stadium.

Sally Pearson, London 2012 Olympic women’s 100 metres hurdles champion and Gold Coast 2018 ambassador, believes the competition schedule unveil will raise excitement further for the Games.

"It is a year to go, but it feels like it is starting today," she said.

"Everyone is getting right behind the Games and it is the best outcome we can have.

"People are really excited to be part of it as it is a real community event.

"To hear local people talking and asking about it, I think that is a box ticked."

Pearson was one of a host of athletes present to help launch the schedule, with each representing one of the 23 sport disciplines which will be contested.

The Games will feature an equal number of medals for men and women, as well as a record number of para-sport events, with the seven disciplines involving 300 Para-athletes.

Athletics will be the largest sport with 58 medal events and estimated participation of around 1,000 athletes from over 60 nations and territories.

In total, around 6,600 athletes and officials are expected to attend the Games.

While the majority of events will take place in Gold Coast, track cycling, shooting and basketball will take place outside the city, although the latter will conclude here.

"Today is an exciting day for not only the Gold Coast, but all four event cities which will play host to GC2018 competition events in April next year,” said Annastacia Palaszczuk, the Queensland Premier.

"Basketball will be held over three locations in Queensland - Cairns, Townsville and Gold Coast, while Brisbane will host two sports, shooting and track cycling.

"We are really proud of the fact that ticket prices are inclusive, accessible and affordable.

"Importantly, the ticket price includes all ticket fees and free public transport on event day within the South East Queensland TransLink public transport network, the Cairns TransLink bus network and on the Townsville qconnect bus network."

The full schedule and event times can be found here