Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2025 Cancellation
Pacific Airshow Gold Coast, scheduled for 15 to 17 August 2025, has been cancelled due to ongoing beach erosion challenges along Surfers Paradise Beach following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Since the conclusion of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred the Pacific Airshow team has been in regular contact with the City of Gold Coast regarding its beach rectification efforts. Unfortunately, recurring king tides with accompanying large swells have undermined repair efforts, particularly near Surfers Paradise Beach, the primary precinct for the planned Airshow.
“Our team is devastated to be forced to cancel Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2025, but it’s the right thing to do for everyone and the long-term restoration of the beach,” said Code Four CEO and Airshow Director, Kevin Elliott.
“The Pacific Airshow team are Gold Coast based and are committed to delivering an extraordinary experience. People come to be entertained, have the ultimate party on the beach, see amazing aircraft and spend time with family and friends, all with their feet in the sand.
“Big surf, high tides and unusually persistent rainfall since the cyclone have created a perfect storm of events that has been detrimental to recovery efforts.
“It’s been one step forward, two steps back with beach sand replenishment, even though the City of Gold Coast has been putting all its efforts into returning the beach to its picture-perfect best with ships, trucks, pumps and the lot.
“Our extensive modelling shows that in light of the recent erosion caused by the king tides and massive swell, the sand just won’t be there for a safe spectator experience at the scale Pacific Airshow requires.
“After looking at every option – changing dates, moving to another spot on the Gold Coast – we couldn’t find a way to keep our community safe without compromising the show either in the air or on the ground, and neither of those were acceptable outcomes for us.
“In light of all available information and after reviewing the recent state of Surfers Paradise Beach, making the decision to cancel this year’s event timely and decisively is the responsible path.
“The number of tickets sold during the pre-sale this year more than doubled the numbers sold for 2024, so we’re extremely grateful to our PA family and hope they will stick with us through this setback. We’re happy to reveal we will be back next year Bigger, Faster & Louder from 14 to 16 August 2026.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said: “It’s been a tough decision for the Pacific Airshow team but we must ensure the airshow maintains the incredible standards it has achieved over the past two years.
“Beach recovery works continue but we cannot guarantee this section of coastline will be ready to welcome 200,000-plus people in August so it is the right decision,” said Mayor Tate.
“Through our partnership with Code Four and the State Government, we have created one of the biggest family-oriented events in Australia.
“The Airshow will be back in 2026 and I have no doubt the program will be worth the wait.
Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said: “Pacific Airshow has quickly become a standout on the Gold Coast’s annual events calendar, enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people in its first two years.
“While we share the Pacific Airshow team’s disappointment that the event won’t be able to go ahead in 2025, we are so excited the Airshow will return bigger and better in August 2026 and for many years to come,” said Mr Warn.
“Experience Gold Coast worked very closely with the Pacific Airshow team to secure this incredible spectacle for our city, and it has proven to be a tremendous success for local businesses and visitors alike which we’re all really proud of.”
Key Facts
Since Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred earlier this year, the Gold Coast has lost over 4 million cubic metres of sand – the equivalent of 320,000 semi-trailer loads – causing significant erosion across the coastline, including Surfers Paradise beach.
The beach level has dropped by approximately 2 metres, resulting in ocean encroachment, creating sand cliffs as high as 6 metres in some locations.
Areas outside our fenced precinct – which have historically been high-density viewing zones – remain unstable, eroded and in some cases closed to public access presenting significant public safety risk.
The City of Gold Coast is continuing to undertake beach nourishment works to minimise the impact of further beach erosion and loss of sand.
Restoration efforts to Surfers Paradise, the main precinct for the event, have been hampered by big swells, king tides and challenging weather conditions.
For more information on City of Gold Coast’s beaches restoration program, please click here. (link to https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Services/Projects-works/Beaches-restoration-program-Cyclone-Alfred)
Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is supported by Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Major Events Program.