Award-Winning NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final Returns For 2027

Surfing Australia is excited to announce that Australia’s premier club surfing competition, the NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) Grand Final, will return to Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast on 13–14 March 2027, following a groundbreaking 2026 edition that captivated fans and competitors across the country. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Grand Finals in the event’s history, the 2026 showdown set a new benchmark for club surfing in Australia.

Surfing Australia is also proud to confirm NRMA Insurance as the exclusive Naming Rights Partner of the Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final for a further two years from 2027 to 2028. The renewed partnership includes increased investment in the series, further strengthening Australia’s largest grassroots surfing competition and helping elevate boardrider clubs nationwide.

Surfing Australia, Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, are also pleased to announce that the NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final has been secured at the iconic Burleigh Heads for a further three years, with the event returning in 2027, 2028 and 2029. Following the overwhelming success of the 2026 event, Burleigh Heads has cemented its place as the perfect stage, with its natural amphitheatre creating an unrivalled atmosphere for fans and competitors alike.

Hermann Vorster, Member for Burleigh, said:

“The Burleigh community is stoked to have the Australian Boardriders Battle right here in our backyard. Our beautiful beaches and spectacular natural landscape provide the perfect backdrop for an event of this calibre.

The event’s return will be fantastic for local cafes, hotels and tourism operators, generating more than 7,100 visitor nights and delivering a $1.85 million boost to Queensland’s economy.

The Crisafulli Government is proud to back the Australian Boardriders Battle through to 2029, providing certainty for organisers and securing long-term benefits for the Gold Coast.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tatesaid:

“All waves lead to the Gold Coast with our city again securing the Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final for 2027.

This series highlights how important surf culture is to the Gold Coast and I thank organisers for staking their flag at Burleigh Heads until 2029.

Let’s get behind the Gold Coast clubs and cheer on clubs from across Australia when the action hits Burleigh next March.’’

The NRMA Insurance ABB Grand Final will once again bring together 42 of Australia’s best boardrider clubs, each earning their place through a series of fiercely contested regional qualifiers. Clubs will battle for national glory, significant prize money and the title of Australia’s premier boardrider club in the country’s biggest grassroots surfing competition.

The announcement comes fittingly on the heels of the biggest Australian Boardriders Battle Regional Series in history, which wrapped up at the iconic Duranbah Beach in northern New South Wales. The 2026 series saw record club participation in New South Wales and strong turnouts across all six surfing states, showcasing the depth of talent, fierce competition and passion within Australia’s grassroots surfing communities. Across the series, eight regional champions were crowned, with 40 clubs securing their place at the 2027 NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final, set to take place at Burleigh Heads, Queensland, on 13–14 March 2027.

Surfing Australia CEO Chris Symington said the NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final represents the pinnacle of club surfing in Australia:

“The NRMA Insurance ABB Grand Final is the pinnacle of club surfing in Australia, bringing together the country’s best 42 clubs after more than 100 clubs battle for a place across eight regional qualifiers.

We’re incredibly excited to continue hosting the Grand Final at iconic Burleigh Heads through to 2029, and to have NRMA Insurance continuing as our naming rights partner through to 2028. Their ongoing commitment is a fantastic endorsement of the ABB and the strength of Australia’s boardrider club community.

We can’t wait to see Australia’s top clubs come together at Burleigh Heads and battle it out for the ultimate title of the nation’s best boardrider club.”

WATCH LIVE, FREE AND EXCLUSIVE WITH CHANNEL 9

The 2027 NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final will once again be broadcast live and free in partnership with Channel 9. Viewers can watch free-to-air on 9Go!, with the action also available to stream on 9Now. The broadcast partnership with Channel 9 will bring Australia’s biggest club surfing showdown free to fans across the country.

THE FIRST OF ITS KIND: A FORMAT LIKE NO OTHER

The NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) Grand Final introduced a first-of-its-kind team format to Surfing Australia competition, bringing club teams of five together across Open Men, Open Women, Junior, Masters and a Power Surfer in a tag-team relay style event.

Designed to put the spotlight on club pride and team performance, the format combines strategy, endurance and surf prowess, with every surfer playing a critical role in the team’s campaign for national glory. The pioneering format has since helped inspire new approaches to team-based competition across the sport.

With extended heat times to accommodate the challenging Burleigh rock jump into the ocean, the 500m sprint up Burleigh Hill, and a field stacked with past, present and future World Surf League (WSL) stars, the stage is set for an electrifying showdown at one of Australia’s most iconic right-hand point breaks.

Dane Henry, 2025 ISA Opens World Champion & WSL World Junior Champion & 2026 Gold Coast Open Champion, stated how much he enjoys the competition’s unique format:

“The format is totally different to anything else in surfing. It’s a tag-team event, and surfing is usually such an individual sport, so it’s a really special opportunity to work together with your mates and represent your community as a team.

Australia has such a strong team sport culture — with footy and so many other sports — and bringing that spirit into surfing, which is such a huge part of life along the coast, is really incredible. It fires everyone up and makes you proud to represent where you’re from.”

WORLD CHAMPIONS, OLYMPIANS AND FUTURE STARS COLLIDE

The NRMA Insurance ABB Grand Final is a stage where former World Champions like Layne Beachley, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson and Mark Occhilupo, alongside Olympians such as Owen Wright and Ruby Trew, go head-to-head with Australia’s rising juniors and today’s top professionals. The mix of legends and future stars makes every heat more than just a contest—it’s a multi-generational battle for club pride and community.

Seven-time World Champion Layne Beachley described the format as one of the most intense and team-focused experiences in the sport.

“Every World Champion in Australia has come through a boardriders club, so investing back into them really matters. The team format brings out so much passion and club pride, and it creates a really special atmosphere.”

QUALIFIED CLUBS

Burleigh Heads, Lennox-Ballina, Margaret River, North Narrabeen, Peninsula, Sandon Point, Seaford, South Arm, Bondi, Coffs Harbour, Kawana, North Steyne, Park Beach, South Coast, Torquay, Yallingup, Avoca, Cronulla Sharks, Kingscliff, Point Lonsdale, Snapper Rocks, Trigg Point, Cabarita, Elouera, Kirra Surfriders, Long Reef, Bungan, Byron Bay, Coolum, Dee Why, North Maroubra, North Shore, Port Macquarie, Werri Beach, Freshwater, Noosa, North Avalon, North End, Scarborough, Ulladulla.

Two wildcard spots remain up for grabs, offering clubs one final chance to secure their place in the 2027 NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final.

Wildcard applications close Friday, 13 November 2026.

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN BOARDRIDERS BATTLE

The Australian Boardriders Battle is Australia’s biggest grassroots surfing series, involving over 100 boardrider clubs in eight state qualifying rounds before culminating in the epic NRMA Insurance ABB Grand Final showdown. The event has been instrumental in strengthening club culture, fostering future champions, and celebrating Australia’s deep connection with surfing.

The 2027 NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final is proudly supported by Ford Australia, Babybel, SafeStyle, Celsius, Fujifilm Photos, Southern Cross University, Sodii, Ampd Bros, St Ali, Boost Mobile, Daiwa Australia, We Are Feel Good Inc, Kamado Joe, S&S Projects, Channel 9, Burleigh Pavilion, MadebyPlasma, Lo Bros Not Soda, Blackroll and Surfers for Climate

The 2027 NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle Gold Coast Grand Final is proudly supported by Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland

ABOUT AUSTRALIAN BOARDRIDER CLUBS

There are more than 250 boardrider clubs across the country, where members gather regularly, often monthly, to organise grassroots competitions at world-class waves such as Burleigh Heads. The boardrider club phenomenon in Australia has made a significant contribution to the nation’s competitive success on the global stage, fostering close-knit communities that support young surfers on their journeys to becoming the next world champions.

For more information, visit www.australianboardridersbattle.com.