Australia’s most exciting club surfing competition, the NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) Grand Final, is set to return to Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast this weekend on March 7-8, 2026, following a groundbreaking 2025 edition that captivated audiences and competitors across the nation.
Surfing Australia is proud to confirm NRMA Insurance as the new Naming Rights Partner of the Australian Boardriders Battle, supporting the event with further investment and helping to elevate the boardriders club competition nationwide.
Surfing Australia, Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland are excited to announce that the NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final will return to the iconic Burleigh Heads for a further three years in 2027, 2028 and 2029, following the major success of the event for fan experience and the elevated format made possible by the natural amphitheatre of Burleigh Heads.
This event brings together 42 of Australia’s best boardrider clubs who have battled through state qualifiers to earn their place in this prestigious event. They will compete for national glory, substantial prize money, and ultimate bragging rights in the country’s biggest grassroots surfing competition.
A FORMAT LIKE NO OTHER
The NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) Grand Final is renowned for its exciting and unique format, where club teams of five—comprising Open Men, Open Women, Junior, Masters, and a Power Surfer—compete in a tag-team relay style event. Strategy, endurance, and surf prowess combine to create some of the most intense and dramatic heats seen in competitive surfing.
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 & WSL World Junior Champion & 2026 Gold Coast Open Champion, will return to his grassroots, surfing for Kingscliff Boardriders Club at the 2026 ABB Grand Final.
“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.”
Seven-time World Champion, Layne Beachley, has praised the dynamic competition format while reflecting on representing her hometown club at Freshwater Beach. Beachley described the format as one of the most intense and team-focused experiences in the sport.
“Most boardriders clubs run on the smell of an oily rag, so events like this are incredibly important for keeping them strong and helping build the profile of clubs around the country. Every World Champion in Australia has come through a boardriders club, so investing back into them really matters.
To come here and challenge the best clubs in Australia, with the chance to lift the trophy and be called the best boardriders club in the country — that’s something every club wants. The team format brings out so much passion and club pride, and it creates a really special atmosphere.”
Adrian ‘Ace’ Buchan, Surfing Australia Intrim CEO, and former WSL World Tour competitor said hosting the NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle at Burleigh Heads remains a privilege for the sport and its grassroots clubs.
“We’re incredibly excited to have another three years here at Burleigh Heads — it’s such an iconic venue with so much history in Australian surfing. To host the NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle at a wave like this and give grassroots clubs from around the country the chance to compete here is a real privilege.
Club surfing in Australia is incredibly strong, and it’s hard to overstate how prestigious this event has become and how badly clubs want to win it. The tag-team format adds another layer of pressure and strategy, and with Burleigh’s long pointbreak and a good swell forecast, we’re set up for some incredible surfing this weekend.
We’re also thrilled to continue the journey with NRMA Insurance as naming rights partner and to extend our partnership here at Burleigh with the support of Tourism and Events Queensland, Experience Gold Coast and Surfing Queensland.”
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2026
With the NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) Grand Final returning to Burleigh Heads, the local clubs will again be strong contenders, but they will face fierce competition from powerhouse teams like North Shelly, Byron Bay, Snapper Rocks, Avoca, and Yallingup—all with their sights set on reclaiming the national title. See all 42 qualified clubs HERE.
Heat draws for the 2026 Grand Final are live now, setting the stage for fierce matchups as Australia’s best boardrider clubs prepare to go head-to-head at Burleigh Heads.
Spectators can expect:
- Live action from Australia’s best surfers competing in the country’s most prestigious club competition.
- Free on-site activations for families, Kids zone, food trucks, and public bars creating a festival-like atmosphere for the entire family.
- Mascot Challenge presented by Guzmam y Gomez, showcasing the best team spirit & fan performance.
- A record of Give Away prizes for attendees to win at the event.
The event will be broadcast LIVE and free to air on 9GO and mySURFtv YouTube, ensuring fans can tune in from anywhere showcasing the ultimate battle of club surfing.
About the NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle:
The NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle is Australia’s biggest grassroots surfing series, involving over 80 boardrider clubs in eight state qualifying rounds before culminating in the epic Grand Final showdown. The event has been instrumental in strengthening club culture, fostering future champions, and celebrating Australia’s deep connection with surfing.
The 2026 NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final is proudly supported by ACCIONA, Babybel, Celsius, Kennards Hire, Jim Beam, Boost Mobile, FujiFilm Photos, Better Beer, Daiwa Australia, BC Protein Snacks, We Are Feel Good Inc., Sodii Hydration, Burleigh Pavilion, Murf Electric Bikes, AG1, Zuum Energy Gum, Blackroll, Lo Bros Not Soda, Guzman y Gomez, Gold Coast Bulletin and Surfers for Climate.
The 2026 NRMA Insurance ABB Gold Coast Grand Final is 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.
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