Caption: Isabella Nichols competing at Burleigh Heads during the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro in 2025. Credit: Beatriz Ryder / WSL
GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND (13 February 2026) – Professional surfing is set to return to Burleigh Heads when the Gold Coast Open runs from 18–22 February 2026, bringing together top Qualifying Series (QS) athletes from Australia and Asia alongside elite Championship Tour (CT) competitors.
The 2026 Gold Coast Open marks a major milestone, making its debut as a World Surf League (WSL) QS 4000 rated event following previous editions as a QS 1000. The upgraded rating cements the event as one of the premier stops on the Australia and Oceania regional tour. Expanded to five full days of competition, the event is set to attract one of the deepest and most competitive fields in its history.
Surfing Queensland CEO Luca Liussi said the event’s elevation represents a significant step forward for competitive surfing in Queensland.
“We’re incredibly excited to see the Gold Coast Open step up in 2026 from a QS 1000 to a QS 4000, delivering five full days of world-class surfing at the iconic Burleigh Heads,” Liussi said.
“This upgrade provides Australian surfers with a valuable opportunity to earn increased ranking points on home soil, while also attracting a strong field of international competitors to the Gold Coast. Following the outstanding performances we saw at Burleigh during last year’s Championship Tour event, we’re looking forward to welcoming fans to what will be a true five-day surfing festival.”
The QS 4000 divisions will feature a mix of established professionals and rising stars, with several Championship Tour athletes confirmed to compete. The elite lineup includes Joel Vaughan (AUS), Isabella Nichols (AUS), Rio Waida (INA) and Burleigh Boardriders’ Liam O’Brien, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown.
With one of the largest point totals on the regional tour on offer at a critical point in the season, results at the Gold Coast Open are expected to play a significant role in shaping rankings and influencing qualification for the 2026 Challenger Series.
Fans can tune in to a live WSL broadcast across Saturday and Sunday, showcasing Burleigh Heads’ world-renowned point break to audiences across Australia and around the world.
WSL APAC Tour Director Ty Sorati said the WSL is excited to be returning once again to Burleigh Heads.
“WSL is looking forward to returning to one of competitive surfing’s most iconic locations, Burleigh Heads, later this month for the Gold Coast Open,” said Sorati.
“Already, we have a number of CT athletes entering the event, with some of surfing’s biggest names looking to get some reps in before the CT season launches in early April. With top-end talent matching up with the next generation of Championship Tour hopefuls, it’s shaping up to be another amazing event at Burleigh Heads.”
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell MP said the announcement reinforced the Gold Coast Open’s growing importance to Queensland’s major events calendar.
“Crowds have skyrocketed from 12,000 to 20,000 since 2021, with visitors flocking to the Gold Coast Open and injecting more than $1 million into Queensland’s economy in 2025,” Minister Powell said.
“Lifting the Gold Coast Open’s status is a game-changer as it boosts its global reach and draws an even stronger wave of competitors from across Australia and Asia.
“The surge of the Gold Coast Open proves the strength of Queensland’s events scene and puts world-class surfing front and centre on one of Australia’s most iconic coastlines.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the event would deliver a spectacular start to the year for the city.
“What a way to open 2026 with some of our best men’s and women’s surfers carving it up off Burleigh Heads,” Mayor Tate said.
“Make the date with Surfing Queensland and support our homegrown heroes in their quest for Open glory.”
Beyond the competition, the Gold Coast Open will deliver five days of entertainment and community engagement at Burleigh Heads. Spectators can enjoy live music performances from bands including Cosmic Vice, PowderKeg and Thirst Trap, along with skate clinics and demonstrations, sunrise yoga sessions, community activities, food vendors, a beach bar and a range of interactive experiences.
The 2026 Gold Coast Open is supported by the World Surf League, Tourism and Events Queensland, and Experience Gold Coast.
Surfing Queensland thanks the event partners for their support: BYD Gold Coast, Dritimes, QMS Media, We Are Feel Good Inc, Mogu Mogu, Blue Horizon, Travla, Hard Fizz, Sip Coco, Fast Twitch Energy, Blackroll Australia, Chiggy’s Skateboarding, Kennards Hire.
2026 GOLD COAST OPEN
Running from 18–22 February, the five-day event is more than just a surfing competition, delivering a host of diverse experiences. Event highlights include sunrise yoga sessions hosted by Active and Healthy and Rigs Recovery, women’s group surfing with Club Shakas, a selection of food trucks, a skate ramp featuring professional demonstrations and skate clinics, and a pop-up beach bar serving Travla beer and Hard Fizz, alongside a range of additional activities.
HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL SURFING AT BURLEIGH HEADS
The Gold Coast Open carries forward a rich tradition of competitive surfing that began with the groundbreaking Stubbies Surf Classic in 1977. Pioneered by surfer Peter Drouyn, this event revolutionised professional surfing by introducing the head-to-head heat format. First implemented at Burleigh Heads nearly five decades ago, this format has since become the global standard for professional and grassroots surfing competitions.
