The Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2026 drew an estimated 300,000 spectators to Surfers Paradise across three days from Friday, August 14 to Sunday, August 16, marking a major comeback after the 2025 event was cancelled because of severe beach erosion linked to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The return brought military aircraft, aerobatic teams, historic warbirds, helicopters, parachuting and jet-suit demonstrations back to the Gold Coast beachfront. The Royal Australian Air Force confirmed displays involving the Roulettes, F-35A Lightning II, C-130J Hercules, Red Berets and aircraft from No. 100 Squadron’s heritage fleet.
The event has now been secured through 2028. Post-event reporting said the renewed agreement is expected to contribute more than $28 million to Queensland’s economy and generate about 97,000 visitor nights through 2028.
Pacific Airshow Gold Coast secured through 2028
The extension gives the Gold Coast certainty around one of its largest beachfront events after the disruption of 2025. Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said about 17,000 interstate and international visitors were associated with the 2026 show, adding to the wider crowd travelling from southeast Queensland and other parts of the state.
The scale of the weekend matters beyond the spectator precinct. Hotels, restaurants, transport services and other tourism businesses benefit when visitors stay overnight or spend extra time in Surfers Paradise.
Travellers planning future Gold Coast trips can also compare current domestic airfare options in the Qantas $99 flight sale 2026 guide.
Friday, August 14 flying timetable
The opening-day program began at 10am and combined civilian aerobatics with Australian and international military displays. The published schedule included the US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey, US Navy P-8 Poseidon, C-17 demonstration and RAAF Roulettes.
| Time | Performer / Display |
|---|---|
| 10:00am | Commentators – Show Intro |
| 10:12am | Opening Ceremony – National Anthems |
| 10:19am | Gold Coast Skydive – Jeff & Emma |
| 10:28am | YAK-110 – Jeff Boerboon |
| 10:35am | Twin Vipers – Strikemaster & Jet Provost |
| 10:45am | PC-9 Solo Aerobatic Display |
| 10:54am | Strikemaster Solo – Jason Easthorpe |
| 11:02am | Gravity Industries Jet Suits |
| 11:08am | Rod Flockhart – Extra 300S |
| 11:17am | CAC Mustang & P-40 |
| 11:26am | QFS Fire Attack Demonstration |
| 11:37am | Westpac Lifesaving EC-135 |
| 11:46am | Australian Wingsuit Demonstration Team |
| 11:55am | Red Star Roolettes – Nanchang CJ-6 |
| 12:19pm | US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey |
| 12:32pm | Jeremy Miller – Yak-55 |
| 12:43pm | US Navy P-8 Poseidon |
| 12:52pm | Southern Knights |
| 1:08pm | Matt Hall Three-Ship Display |
| 1:24pm | ADF Red Berets |
| 1:33pm | Emma McDonald – Extra 300L |
| 1:44pm | C-17 Demonstration Team |
| 1:57pm | Screaming Diamonds – Pitts Three-Ship |
| 2:09pm | Gravity Industries Jet Suits |
| 2:15pm | BO-105 Helicopter – Bryce Niet |
| 2:24pm | Matt Hall – MXS |
| 2:36pm | T-33 Silver Star – Greg Colyer |
| 2:51pm | YAK-110 – Jeff Boerboon |
| 3:06pm | Roulettes Formation – Spitfire & Mustang |
| 3:13pm | RAAF No. 100 Squadron |
| 3:20pm | Merlin Combine – No. 100 Squadron |
| 3:28pm | RAAF Roulettes – PC-21 |
The timetable is a record of Friday’s published flying order rather than a schedule for all three days. Aircraft appearances and times remained subject to weather, air traffic control and operational requirements.
Official Defence information for the event is available through the RAAF Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2026 event page.
F-35A, C-17, Osprey and Roulettes led the 2026 lineup
The RAAF F-35A Lightning II was one of the major attractions across the weekend, alongside the C-130J Hercules, Roulettes, Red Berets and heritage aircraft from No. 100 Squadron.
International participation added the US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey and US Navy P-8 Poseidon to the program, while the C-17 demonstration brought one of the largest aircraft on the bill over the beachfront.
Historic aircraft including the Spitfire and Mustang appeared alongside modern military types, giving the program a clear contrast between different generations of aviation.
Gravity Industries’ jet-suit demonstrations provided one of the event’s more unusual displays, adding personal jet-powered flight to a weekend otherwise dominated by conventional aircraft and parachuting teams.
Why the 2025 cancellation still matters
The 2026 comeback followed a difficult year for the Surfers Paradise coastline. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and subsequent swells caused major erosion, leaving organisers without enough safe beachfront space for the spectator footprint required in August 2025.
That cancellation highlighted a practical challenge unique to the Gold Coast show. Unlike an airshow based mainly at an airport, the event relies on the beach itself to accommodate large crowds, access routes and controlled viewing areas.
The successful 2026 return therefore reflected both the recovery of the coastline and the ability to restore a major tourism event after a one-year interruption.
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What the 2028 extension means for the Gold Coast
Keeping the Pacific Airshow on the calendar through 2028 turns the 2026 weekend from a one-off comeback into a longer-term return for Surfers Paradise.
The agreement gives organisers more certainty to plan future editions while preserving a major event that brings large visitor numbers into the city’s tourism precinct. The exact aircraft lineup will change from year to year because military participation, weather and operational commitments can affect availability.
The broader visitor economy is evolving at the same time. Changes affecting app-based couriers and delivery services are outlined in the Australia gig worker pay rules for delivery drivers, which are relevant to businesses operating across busy tourism and hospitality areas.
For the Gold Coast, the key result is straightforward: after losing the 2025 event to coastal damage, the airshow returned with an estimated 300,000 spectators in 2026 and is now confirmed to continue through 2028.
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