Pacific Airshow Gold Coast returns this week as setup gets underway
Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is now just days away, with setup well underway at Surfers Paradise as the massive three-day event prepares to return to the Gold Coast after last year’s cancellation.
The 2026 event will run from August 14–16, with aircraft and infrastructure beginning to take over the beach ahead of what is expected to be another major weekend for aviation fans.
The return comes after the 2025 Pacific Airshow was cancelled due to severe beach erosion caused by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. More than four million cubic metres of sand was lost along the Gold Coast following the cyclone, with the beach at Surfers Paradise dropping by around two metres in places. The event was eventually cancelled after further king tides and large swells continued to affect restoration work.
With the beach now restored and preparations underway, the Pacific Airshow team is once again transforming Surfers Paradise Beach into an airshow precinct, with the event expected to bring thousands of spectators to the area across the three days.
The iconic RAAF Roulettes will again take to the skies over Surfers Paradise for three days of incredible displays | Photo: Noah Stohr-Waldren
The aircraft lineup has continued to grow in the lead-up to the event, with the Royal Australian Air Force's F-35A Lightning II, Roulettes, C-130 Hercules and 100 Squadron heritage aircraft all currently listed.
The United States Marine Corps will also return with its MV-22 Osprey, while the US Navy is bringing a P-8A Poseidon to the Gold Coast.
The P-8A is particularly interesting for aviation fans, with the maritime patrol aircraft making another appearance at Pacific Airshow after previously being displayed at the 2024 event.
International civilian performers include Jeff Boerboon's unique Yak-110, Greg Colyer's T-33 Shooting Star, Gravity Industries' Jet Suits and the BO-105 aerobatic helicopter.
The Australian civilian lineup includes Matt Hall Racing, Emma McDonald's Extra 300L, Jeremy Miller's Yak-55, Rod Flockhart's Extra 330S, the Southern Knights Display Team, Red Star Roolettes, Screaming Diamonds, the Australian Wingsuit Display Team and Gold Coast Skydive.
The warbird lineup currently includes a CAC Mustang, P-40 Kittyhawk, Beech 18 and Pays Aviation Spitfire, while a PC-9, Twin Vipers, Queensland Fire Department Air Attack demonstration and Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter will also feature.
The ADF Red Berets Parachute Display Team is also listed, alongside a display involving Matt Hall, Jason Easthope and Kris Sieczkowski.
There have been some changes to the lineup, however, with the USAF Wings of Blue parachute team, C-47 and McDermott Aviation C-160 all now listed as withdrawn. McDermott Aviation's C-160 was withdrawn due to operational requirements.
Pacific Airshow has also confirmed that the lineup can still change, with military participation dependent on availability and operational requirements.
The US Navy P-8A Poseidon promises to be a crowd pleaser | Photo: Noah Stohr-Waldren
While the aircraft will be the main attraction, plenty is happening on the ground as the event precinct takes shape. The show will once again feature the large ticketed beach area, performer signing sessions, food and drink areas and the NXTGN STEM Lab alongside the flying displays.
The event's new Garden Bar has already proved popular, with Saturday now sold out. Saturday's Beach Club and General Admission tickets are both listed as near capacity, while Friday's Beach Club is also nearing capacity.
Pacific Airshow's official ticketing information warns that tickets are limited, with the event having sold out in previous years.
The airshow is scheduled to run from around 10am to 3pm each day, with gates opening at 9am. All three days are currently scheduled to feature the full performer lineup, although individual aircraft may not necessarily fly on every day.
For the Gold Coast, this year's event is also something of a comeback. After being forced to cancel in 2025 because of the condition of Surfers Paradise Beach, the return of Pacific Airshow means the beach will once again become the backdrop for everything from F-35s and Ospreys to warbirds and aerobatic aircraft.
With the fences, structures and other event infrastructure now going up around Surfers Paradise, the Gold Coast is once again starting to look like an airshow venue.
You can view some of our best photos from Pacific Airshow 2024 here: PAGC ‘24. You can also read our previous articles about Pacific Airshow here: Pacific Airshow.