Pacific Airshow set for spectacular Gold Coast comeback with new dates announced
Australia’s biggest airshow makes its comeback after a $35 million beach restoration project following the devastating impact of ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The Pacific Airshow will return bigger and better to the Gold Coast in 2026 after the August event was sensationally cancelled due to beach erosion from Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The event will be held on the Surfers Paradise shoreline from August 14 to 16, with tickets on sale from Monday.
Pacific Airshow chief operations officer Sam Pearce said 2026 was going to be “the best one yet”.
“We’re really looking forward to coming back in 2026, bigger and better than ever before,” he said.
“Last year’s event delivered more than 270,000 people here in attendance over the three days, and pushed more than $32 million into the local economy. We expect that to be even bigger next year.”
Considered the biggest event of its kind in Australia, the 2026 show will involve new ticket options, a show centre zone, upgraded hospitality options, pop-ups, more on ground entertainment including a next generation STEM lab for children, and a kid’s zone.
Mr Pearce said demand for the airshow had been huge according to pre-sale numbers which went on sale last week.
Mayor Tom Tate estimates up to 300,000 people could attend the 2026 event.
“We took a break this year due to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred. We just didn’t have enough beach,” Mr Tate said.
“And yet Kevin Elliot (the event’s chief executive) and his team has faith in our city, and are willing to come back.
“We’ve extended the contract for a further two years.”
Mr Tate said council had been “flat out” getting the beaches back to post-Alfred condition.
“We’ve spent $35 million to rectify our beach, a lot of it in the northern region,” he said.
“There’s a lot of outlying sand, 1.5 million cubic meters. Sand bypassing is happening as well so with mother nature it’ll be a joint venture, which means she’ll bring the sand up even closer by the time Pacific Airshow comes.”
The Mayor said the state government had “come on board with more money” ahead of next year’s event, calling the venture a collaborative effort between all tiers of government.
“This is one of the biggest events on the Gold Coast calendar and the most adrenaline pumping aviation events in Australia,” Mr Tate said.
“The future for aviation is brighter than ever.”
Organisers announced Red Bull Air Race world champion and former Royal Australian Air Force top gun fighter pilot Matt Hall as Pacific Airshow Gold Coast ambassador.
Mr Hall said it was a “privilege” to be able to fly at events such as the Pacific Airshow.
“I’ve had a pretty fortunate career where I’ve flown jet fighters all around the world, I’ve raced planes all around the world,” he said.
“But there’s a couple of events that stick in my brain as the places to be.
“I was fortunate enough to be involved with the Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach (USA) a few times, and now that’s developed over here as the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast – and there’s nothing like it from an aviator’s perspective.
“Coming out over the beach overhead – it’s the most beautiful beach in the world.”
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