Events Update

26 February 2026

GET SET FOR ‘MEGA MARCH’ ON THE GOLD COAST  

March on the Gold Coast is set to deliver an extraordinary calendar of major events. Five world-class sporting highlights across the month will reinforce the city’s position as one of Australia’s leading event destinations.

The month begins with Gold Coast hosting six matches of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026™ across 1–21 March, including the highly anticipated Matildas v IR Iran clash on 5 March, delivering a significant international broadcast moment for the region. From 6–15 March, the Gold Coast Volleyslam transforms Coolangatta Beach into a vibrant competition precinct. Now in its seventh year on the Gold Coast, the event spans the full pathway from schools and state teams through to Australian Championship divisions and international contenders, showcasing beach volleyball at its best.

From 19–22 March, the Australian WPGA Championship debuts at The Palms, Sanctuary Cove, where a strong field of Australian and international players will compete for the Karrie Webb Cup as part of the Australian Summer of Golf. The inaugural Australian stop on the T100 Triathlon World Tour follows on 21–22 March, featuring the world’s top female triathletes competing for a US$250,000 prize purse alongside mass participation events including an Olympic distance triathlon and standalone 10km run.

The month concludes with the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, ‘The Aussies’, with more than 7,000 athletes competing across nine days 21-29 March at North Kirra and Tugun, in the largest surf sport event in the world. 

Coupled with other events across the city including the Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final at Burleigh (7-8 March) and the National School Sport Triathlon and Aquathon at Runaway Bay (16-20 March), March is set to be a defining moment for the Gold Coast, showcasing the scale, diversity and global appeal of our major events portfolio. 

VOLLEYSLAM BRINGING THE ACTION TO COOLY IN MARCH

Get ready for 10 days of non-stop beach volleyball action as the Gold Coast Volleyslam returns to Coolangatta Beach for its seventh year from 6 – 15 March 2026.  

Volleyslam 2026 is a true festival of beach volleyball featuring four major competitions running concurrently: the Australian Beach Volleyball Tour (6–8 March) showcasing elite national talent, the Australian Youth Beach Volleyball Championships (9–12 March) for emerging U14–U18 players, the Beach Pro Tour Futures (11–15 March) attracting global teams eyeing the 2032 Olympics, and the Australian Beach Volleyball Schools Cup (13–15 March) giving students the chance to compete on the same sand as the pros. 

Spectators can enjoy free public viewing along the beach plus soak up the festival atmosphere with food, entertainment and live action from dawn to dusk. As a proven event drawcard, Volleyslam has firmly established itself as a must-see fixture on the Gold Coast’s events calendar. 

AUSTRALIAN BOARDRIDERS BATTLE GRAND FINAL RETURNS TO BURLEIGH

The 13th edition of the NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB), Australia’s premier grassroots club surfing competition, returns to Burleigh Heads on 7–8 March 2026, following two record-breaking events in 2024 and 2025. Over two months of qualifying, more than 80 clubs competed across eight state rounds, with 42 top clubs now set to battle for the national title, substantial prize money, and the ultimate bragging rights as Australia’s best boardrider club.

The ABB Grand Final combines surfing skill with endurance challenges - including an ironman-like sprint up Burleigh Hill - testing strategy, stamina, and surf talent with 5-person teams consisting of open men, open women, junior, master, and power surfers. Spectators will enjoy live action, on-site activations, DJs, food and beverage options, and meet-and-greet opportunities with Olympians and world champions, creating a festival-style experience. 

The event also shines a spotlight on local talent, with Gold Coast clubs including Snapper Rocks Surfriders, MNM (Miami/Nobby’s Miami Boardriders), and North End Boardriders - winners of the 2025 Queensland ABB Regional Series - all competing, while Burleigh Boardriders return to the Grand Final aiming to defend their 2024 title.