
Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2026: Dates, Tickets, Cancellation Info
The Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2025 was cancelled in May after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred caused severe beach erosion at Surfers Paradise, forcing organisers to prioritize long-term beach restoration over the planned August event. The airshow returns 14–16 August 2026, promoted as “Bigger, Faster & Louder” by organiser Code Four.
Location: Surfers Paradise Beach, Gold Coast · 2026 Dates: 14–16 August · Expected Attendance: Over 270,000 · Event Duration: Three days · Hosts: Huntington Beach USA and Gold Coast Australia
Event Basics
- Three-day family event at Surfers Paradise Beach, 2 Esplanade, QLD 4217
- Aerial displays featuring military and civilian aerobatics, on-sand entertainment
- Typically attracts over 270,000 spectators
2026 Details
- Scheduled 14–16 November 2025 at Surfers Paradise Beach
- Presale opened 28 November 2025 via pacificairshowaus.com
- Tickets from AUD$0 to AUD$170, premium Beach Club options available
2025 Cancellation
- Event planned for 15–17 August 2025 was cancelled
- Announced 30 May 2025 due to beach erosion from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
- Ticket holders offered full refunds or transfers to 2026
Organiser
- Code Four, with CEO Kevin Elliott serving as Airshow Director
- City of Gold Coast supporting beach recovery efforts
- Sister event in Huntington Beach, California, scheduled October 4–6, 2026
| Attribute | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Event Dates | 14–16 August 2026 | Official Tickets Site |
| Location | Surfers Paradise Beach, 2 Esplanade, QLD 4217 | Official Tickets Site |
| 2025 Planned Dates | 15–17 August 2025 | Asia Pacific Defence Reporter |
| Cancellation Date | 30 May 2025 | Business News Australia |
| Typical Attendance | 270,000+ | Official Pacific Airshow Site |
| 2024 Attendance | 400,000 | Hot Tomato |
| Organiser | Code Four, CEO Kevin Elliott Airshow Director | Asia Pacific Defence Reporter |
Why did they cancel the Pacific Airshow on the Gold Coast?
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred caused severe beach erosion at Surfers Paradise Beach in early 2025, leaving the shoreline unable to safely host the anticipated 200,000+ spectators. Recurring king tides and large swells prevented beach recovery efforts from succeeding before the planned August dates. Modelling showed the beach could not support the necessary infrastructure without compromising spectator safety.
Beach erosion impact
The erosion was exacerbated by recurring king tides and large swells that undermined repair attempts. The City of Gold Coast maintained regular contact with organisers regarding beach rectification efforts following the cyclone, but the timeline for restoration proved incompatible with the 2025 event schedule.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone aftermath
Organisers considered date changes and venue shifts to avoid compromising the event. However, Kevin Elliott, CEO of Code Four and Airshow Director, stated that alternatives were rejected to preserve military participation. “Ultimately it was either going to be a compromise on the ground or a compromise in the air,” Elliott explained in an interview with Australian Aviation.
The 2025 cancellation prioritised long-term beach restoration over short-term event hosting, aligning with City of Gold Coast recovery strategies.
“Our team is devastated to be forced to cancel Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2025, but it’s the right thing to do for everyone and the long-term restoration of the beach.”
— Kevin Elliott, CEO Code Four and Airshow Director
What date is the Gold Coast airshow?
The Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2026 is confirmed for 14–16 August 2026 at Surfers Paradise Beach, with the Saturday session starting at 9:00am. The inaugural Gold Coast event was held in 2023, followed by the second event in 2024 which drew 400,000 attendees.
2026 event dates
Tickets went on presale 28 November 2025 via the official website. General admission ranges from AUD$0 to AUD$170, with premium options including the Beach Club experience featuring no queues and reserved tables of 10.
Past event timelines
The 2025 event was planned for 15–17 August before cancellation was announced 30 May 2025. The Huntington Beach sister event is scheduled for October 4–6, 2026.
“We’re happy to reveal we will be back next year Bigger, Faster & Louder from 14 to 16 August 2026.”
— Kevin Elliott, Airshow Director
Where is the Pacific Airshow in 2026?
The 2026 event returns to Surfers Paradise Beach at the fixed location of 2 Esplanade, QLD 4217. No alternative venue options were considered viable without compromising either the air display or ground experience, according to organisers.
Venue details
The beachfront venue hosts aerial displays over the water with on-sand entertainment areas. The location has been used since the inaugural 2023 event and remains the only viable site for this specific format.
Surfers Paradise location
Surfers Paradise is the central tourist district of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The beach’s natural erosion challenges are unique to this coastal location and directly caused the 2025 cancellation.
Performers are subject to change or cancellation without notice per the ticket policy.
Has the Pacific Airshow been cancelled?
The 2025 event was cancelled, but the 2026 event is confirmed and proceeding. Pre-sale tickets for 2025 had more than doubled compared to 2024 sales, indicating strong demand before the cancellation announcement on 30 May 2025.
2025 cancellation status
The decision to cancel was made to avoid compromised spectator safety and airshow quality. Ticket holders were offered full refunds or transfers to the 2026 event.
2026 confirmation
Kevin Elliott confirmed the return, stating the 2026 event would be “Bigger, Faster & Louder” with revamped premium experiences. The City of Gold Coast expressed support for the return as “bigger and better.”
“While we share the Pacific Airshow team’s disappointment, we are so excited the Airshow will return bigger and better in August 2026.”
— City of Gold Coast representative
Can you watch the Pacific Airshow for free?
Tickets are required for most viewing areas. General admission starts from AUD$0, though the free tier may be limited. Premium experiences include Beach Club access with reserved seating, no-queue entry, and reserved tables of 10.
Ticket options
General admission ranges from AUD$0 to AUD$170. Premium tickets include enhanced viewing experiences and amenities. All ticket purchases are final; queries should be directed to tickets@pacificairshow.com.
Free viewing areas
Beachfront viewing is available but may require general admission tickets. The event features military and civilian aerobatics visible from public beach areas adjacent to Surfers Paradise Beach.
All ticket purchases are final. Contact tickets@pacificairshow.com for queries.
TL;DR: The 2026 Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is locked for 14–16 August at Surfers Paradise Beach—tickets are on sale now, but 2025 ticket holders must claim refunds or transfer to secure their spot for the bigger, faster, louder return.
Related reading: Koori Knockout 2025 · Voice Australia 2025
australianaviation.com.au, pacificairshowaus.com, queensland.com, ast-simulators.com.au
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the beach erosion at Pacific Airshow Gold Coast?
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred caused severe beach erosion at Surfers Paradise Beach in early 2025. Recurring king tides and large swells prevented recovery efforts, leaving the beach unable to safely host the expected 200,000+ spectators for the planned August event.
Are Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2026 tickets on sale?
Yes. Presale opened 28 November 2025. General admission ranges from AUD$0 to AUD$170, with premium Beach Club options available. All purchases are final.
What is the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast schedule?
The 2026 event runs 14–16 August 2026 at Surfers Paradise Beach. Saturday sessions start at 9:00am. The event features military and civilian aerobatics with on-sand entertainment.
Who are the performers at Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2026?
Specific performers for 2026 have not been confirmed. The ticket policy states performers are subject to change or cancellation without notice. The event features both military and civilian aerobatics displays.
What weather policy for Pacific Airshow Gold Coast?
Performers and schedules are subject to change or cancellation without notice due to weather conditions. The 2025 cancellation was directly caused by beach erosion from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and subsequent weather preventing beach recovery.
How to access Pacific Airshow Gold Coast map?
The venue is fixed at Surfers Paradise Beach, 2 Esplanade, QLD 4217. Detailed venue maps are available through the official tickets website at tickets.pacificairshowaus.com.
Is there parking for Pacific Airshow Gold Coast?
Parking information is available through the official event website. Surfers Paradise Beach is accessible via public transport including light rail and buses serving the Gold Coast area.
Timeline
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Inaugural Gold Coast event held | Wikipedia |
| 2024 | Second Gold Coast event with 400,000 attendees | Hot Tomato |
| Early 2025 | Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred causes initial beach erosion | Asia Pacific Defence Reporter |
| 30 May 2025 | Cancellation of 2025 event announced | Business News Australia |
| 28 November 2025 | 2026 presale opens | Official Pacific Airshow Site |
| 14–16 August 2026 | Pacific Airshow Gold Coast return | Official Tickets Site |
The implication is that beach restoration efforts have progressed sufficiently to allow the 2026 event to proceed, though ongoing monitoring continues between the City of Gold Coast and organisers.
Confirmed Facts
- 2026 event scheduled 14–16 August at Surfers Paradise Beach from Official Tickets Site
- 2025 event cancelled 30 May 2025 due to beach erosion from Asia Pacific Defence Reporter
- Typical attendance exceeds 270,000 per Official Pacific Airshow Site
- Kevin Elliott is CEO Code Four and Airshow Director from Asia Pacific Defence Reporter
- 2026 presale opened 28 November 2025 from Official Pacific Airshow Site
What’s Unclear
- Specific military performers confirmed for 2026
- Progress updates on beach recovery as of 2026
- Exact number of 2025 pre-sale tickets sold
- Detailed economic impact projections for 2026
The 2024 event drew 400,000 attendees and was expected to generate $33 million in visitor expenditure for 2025, according to Hot Tomato. The 2025 cancellation represented a significant economic blow to the region, with pre-sale tickets having more than doubled compared to 2024 sales.