The Gold Coast Open is making an exciting return to Burleigh Heads this month, now upgraded to a World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 4000-rated event.
The upgrade extends the competition from three days to five, running from 18 to 22 February, and gives competitors the opportunity to earn valuable points towards the 2026 Challenger Series.
Surfing Queensland CEO Luca Liussi said the upgraded event marked a major milestone for the organisation and for surfing in Queensland.
“We are excited to grow the event in 2026 from a QS 1000 to a QS 4000-rated event and give our surfing community five days of amazing surfing at the iconic Burleigh Heads,” Mr Liussi said.
“The QS 4000 gives our Aussie surfing talent an opportunity to compete for more points at home, and the event will also attract a larger cohort of international surfers to the Gold Coast. We witnessed some incredible surfing at this year’s WSL events at Burleigh. I encourage everyone to come along to the five-day surfing festival!”
The Gold Coast Open is one of the most prestigious stops on the Australia/Oceania regional tour and is expected to attract some of the region’s most talented surfers, including both rising stars and proven competitors. Past winners include Mick Fanning, Julian Wilson, and Isabella Nichols.
WSL APAC Regional Tour Manager Ty Sorati said Burleigh Heads was one of the world’s premier waves, and upgrading the Gold Coast Open to a QS 4000 reflected the importance of the location on a regional and global stage.
“We’re thrilled to continue working alongside Surfing Queensland and look forward to seeing the next generation of Australian and international talent battle for valuable Challenger Series qualification,” Mr Sorati said.
This year’s event will also feature a live broadcast, offering fans more chances to catch all the action.
Festival Activities and Community Experiences
In addition to the high-performance surfing, the event will feature a range of activities to keep everyone entertained. There will be live music (artists to be announced), skateboarding clinics and demonstrations with Chiggy’s Skateboarding, wellness activities like sunrise yoga, ice baths, pilates, and breathwork, a beach bar with live DJs, and community events.
Plus, attendees can enjoy food vendors, group surfing and swim sessions, and interactive experiences.
Gold Coast Open 2026
- 18-22 February
- Burleigh Heads
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