7 May 2026
FIM WORLD SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP RETURNS FOR THE 2026 SEASON
The FIM World Supercross Championship will return to the Gold Coast in 2026, with Cbus Super Stadium set to host the Australian Grand Prix on 21 November. As the championship’s exclusive Australian round, the event further cements the city’s reputation for delivering major international sporting events.
The Gold Coast stop will once again transform the stadium into a purpose-built supercross arena, featuring a custom-designed dirt track, world-class riders, and a high-intensity race format including qualifying, heats and finals. Beyond the on-track action, fans can expect a full stadium spectacle with opening ceremonies, entertainment, fan zones and premium hospitality experiences.
Part of a global calendar spanning Calgary, Birmingham, Buenos Aires and Cape Town, the Gold Coast event is set to drive strong interstate and international visitation, while delivering significant broadcast reach and showcasing the destination to a global audience.
GOLD COAST TO HOST INAUGURAL SKATE AUSTRALIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Gold Coast will host the inaugural Skate Australia National Championships in July 2026, marking a major milestone for the sport and its Olympic pathway. Rumble on the Beach, delivered as part of the Rumble Skateboarding Pro Tour and Amateur Series, will take place from 9–19 July across Pizzey Park and Elanora Bowl.
Bringing together the country’s top and emerging skateboarders, the Championships will contribute to national rankings and form a key step towards selection for the LA 2028 Olympic Games. Olympic gold medallist Arisa Trew is set to headline the event alongside a strong field of Australian talent.
Beyond elite competition, the event will anchor the new Gold Coast Festival of Skateboarding, driving community participation and showcasing the city’s established skate infrastructure. With national governing body Skate Australia delivering a formalised championships for the first time, the event represents a significant evolution of the domestic competition pathway and reinforces the Gold Coast’s positioning in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032.
THE 25TH ANNUAL BLUES ON BROADBEACH
Get ready to celebrate a major milestone as Blues on Broadbeach marks its 25th Anniversary in 2026, transforming the Gold Coast into a rhythm and blues mecca over four days. For a quarter of a century, this iconic festival has delivered unforgettable live music, and the 2026 edition promises another electrifying chapter.
The free lineup brings together an exceptional mix of international and homegrown talent across four days of soul-stirring entertainment, set against the vibrant backdrop of parks, streets and venues throughout Broadbeach. Artists including Ian Moss, Ruthie Foster, The Bamboos, MonoNeon, Robert Finley, The Lachy Doley Trio and so much more.
Returning for its third year, is the Sunday Ticket featuring Australian blues powerhouse The Teskey Brothers in their festival debut, joined by Emma Donovan and Ash Grunwald.
Elevate your experience with the Late Night Supper offerings, choose from two intimate evenings pairing standout live blues with curated dining at The Roosevelt Lounge or Social Eating House + Bar.
Enjoy the four days of live entertainment, secure your Sunday Ticket, grab your Late Night Supper ticket and be part of this landmark celebration in 2026.
SESSIONS SURF FESTIVAL TO TAKE OVER THE CITY THIS MAY
The Sessions Surf Festival returns to the Gold Coast 23–30 May, bringing together surf culture, live music, film and art across multiple iconic locations. Previously known as Solento Surf Festival, the event re-emerges under a new name and expanded format, growing from a single week into a broader city-wide takeover with more community events and activations woven throughout the program.
Ticketed highlights anchor the program, led by Dope Lemon at Miami Marketta on 23 May, alongside Babe Rainbow, Mt. Warning and Makua. Additional ticketed events include curated surf film screenings and premieres at HOTA and the Mondrian Gold Coast on 28 May, showcasing Australian and international filmmakers.
Art and film remain central pillars, with a surf-inspired exhibition at HOTA from 26 May, alongside a free program across the city. The festival culminates in a Burleigh Heads takeover on 30 May, blending open surf sessions, live music, pop-up beach bars and food vendors into a full-scale coastal celebration. The crowd-favourite Surf of Origin returns, featuring a QLD versus NSW showdown with pro surfers and NRL talent.
With a mix of ticketed headline events and city-wide programming, Sessions Surf Festival brings surf culture to life across the Gold Coast in a way few destinations can match.
THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE’S BIGGEST BOAT SHOW RETURNS TO THE GOLD COAST
The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) returns to the Gold Coast from 21–24 May 2026, marking its 37th edition as the Southern Hemisphere’s largest marine and lifestyle showcase. The four-day event will once again transform the waterfront into a premium marine hub, featuring more than 300 exhibitors, 800+ vessels and 2,500+ marine products and accessories across marina and on-land precincts.
Visitors can expect the expanded 346-berth marina, dedicated lifestyle zones, on-water demonstrations, and the return of signature attractions including the Lagoon Beach Club, alongside live music, DJs and curated food and beverage experiences. SCIBS will also feature family-friendly activations, marine education experiences, fishing competitions and a dedicated Leisure, Fishing and Sports zone showcasing the latest in water sports and outdoor innovation.
Alongside its consumer draw, SCIBS is a major business development platform for the marine sector, offering premium hospitality, exhibitor networking and client entertainment opportunities across its waterfront precincts.
Long regarded as a flagship event for the region, SCIBS continues to position the Gold Coast as a global centre for marine tourism, luxury lifestyle and innovation, attracting more than 45,000 visitors annually.