It’s officially raceweek with the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 (GC500) for 2026 kicking off this Friday, delivering non-stop action both on and off the iconic street circuit!
Get ready for the best experience with our ultimate 2026 guide, featuring everything you need to know. You can view the full track schedule below; and a range of fan events and all the details for driver meet-and-greets and behind-the-scenes access.
Whether you’re chasing heart-pounding Supercars track battles or wanting to soak up all the supercars finals, soaking up the electric atmosphere at the concerts, or looking for family fun, this is your ticket to a thrilling time. Don’t miss a moment; we’ve got all the essential information to keep you in the loop and maximise your GC500 experience!
GC500 Track Schedule
The 2026 Track Schedule has just been released, with a surprising change to the lineup: Boost Mobile Qualifying for the weekend’s first race will take place on the Friday of the event.
Thursday, October 22
| Time & Location | Event |
|---|---|
| 17:00 to 18:30 – Surfers Paradise Sign | Sunset Signing Session Get up close and personal at the iconic Sunset Signing Session with all drivers in attendance. |
Friday, October 23
| Time | Category | Session |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 to 7:15 | Track Closure | |
| 10:35 to 10:55 | V8 SuperUtes | Practice |
| 11:05 to 11:30 | Carrera Cup | Practice 1 |
| 11:35 to 11:40 | Events | Track Crossing |
| 11:45 to 12:10 | Supercars | Practice 1 |
| 12:15 to 12:20 | Supercars | Practice Starts |
| 12:20 to 12:40 | Events | Pit Lane Walk |
| 12:20 to 12:40 | Events | Entertainment |
| 12:45 to 13:05 | Aussie Racing Cars | Practice |
| 13:15 to 13:35 | V8 SuperUtes | Qualifying |
| 13:40 to 13:45 | Events | Track Crossing |
| 13:50 to 14:15 | Supercars | Practice 2 |
| 14:20 to 14:40 | Events | Pit Lane Walk |
| 14:20 to 14:40 | Events | Entertainment |
| 14:45 to 15:10 | Carrera Cup | Practice 2 |
| 15:15 to 15:20 | Events | Track Crossing |
| 15:25 to 15:45 | Aussie Racing Cars | Qualifying |
| 15:50 to 16:00 | Events | Track Crossing |
| 16:05 to 16:35 | Supercars | Qualifying |
| 16:45 to 16:55 | Supercars | TV Track Time |
| 17:00 to 18:00 | Track Opening |
Saturday, October 24
| Time | Category | Session |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 to 7:40 | Track Closure | |
| 8:00 to 8:40 | Events | Pit Lane Walk |
| 8:00 to 8:40 | Events | Safety & Course Car Tours |
| 8:50 to 9:10 | V8 SuperUtes | Race 1 |
| 9:15 to 9:20 | Events | Track Crossing |
| 9:25 to 9:45 | Aussie Racing Cars | Race 1 |
| 9:50 to 10:10 | Events | Pit Lane Walk |
| 9:50 to 10:10 | Events | Entertainment |
| 10:15 to 10:45 | Carrera Cup | Qualifying |
| 10:50 to 10:55 | Events | Track Crossing |
| 11:00 to 11:25 | V8 SuperUtes | Race 2 |
| 11:30 to 11:50 | Events | Pit Lane Walk |
| 11:30 to 11:50 | Events | Entertainment |
| 11:55 to 12:15 | Aussie Racing Cars | Race 2 |
| 12:20 to 12:30 | Events | Track Crossing |
| 12:35 to 13:10 | Supercars | Top Ten Shootout |
| 13:15 to 13:20 | Events | Track Crossing |
| 13:25 to 13:45 | V8 SuperUtes | Race 3 |
| 13:55 to 14:20 | Carrera Cup | Race 1 |
| 14:25 to 14:30 | Events | Track Crossing |
| 15:15 | Supercars | Race 31 |
Sunday, October 25
| Time | Category | Session |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 to 7:40 | Track Closure | |
| 8:15 to 8:55 | Events | Safety & Course Car Tours |
| 9:05 to 9:25 | Aussie Racing Cars | Race 3 |
| 9:35 to 10:05 | Carrera Cup | Race 2 |
| 10:10 to 10:35 | Events | Pit Lane Fan Experience (ticketed) |
| 10:10 to 10:35 | Events | Entertainment |
| 10:40 to 11:00 | V8 SuperUtes | Race 4 |
| 11:20 to 11:32 | Supercars | Q1 Race 32 |
| 11:40 to 11:52 | Supercars | Q2 Race 32 |
| 12:05 to 12:40 | Supercars | Top Ten Shootout |
| 12:45 to 12:50 | Events | Track Crossing |
| 12:55 to 13:15 | Aussie Racing Cars | Race 4 |
| 13:25 to 13:50 | Carrera Cup | Race 3 |
| 13:55 to 14:00 | Events | Track Crossing |
| 14:45 | Supercars | Race 32 |
GC500 Weather Forecast
It’s shaping up to be a wet weekend for the event, with rain expected on most days. The heaviest falls look likely on Friday, easing as the weekend goes on. The forecast is still changing, so we’ll keep you updated. Here’s the latest outlook for Surfers Paradise:
Friday 23 October – Showers – Min 17°C, max 25°C, 1-15mm rain
Saturday 24 October – Showers – Min 17°C, max 25°C, 1-15mm rain
Sunday 25 October – Showers – Min 18°C, max 26°C, 3-20mm rain
Updated: Thu 22 October at 07:36am
Getting To The Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500
With a massive crowd expected, allow plenty of time to get there, and be prepared for traffic delays in and around Surfers Paradise. We have outlined the best ways to get to the event.
Public Transport
We recommend catching the G:Link through to Surfers Paradise. If you are coming from Brisbane or the North, you can get on the link at Helensvale and catch it through until Surfers Paradise, or if you’re coming from the South, jump on at Burleigh Heads and travel through until Surfers Paradise or Main Beach.
You can use Translinks Journey Planner to help you with your trip.
Walk, Cycle or Scoot
Why not get in those extra steps and walk, ride or scoot to the event? You can jump on the white sandy highway and walk up the beach to the event precinct or jump on the Oceanway from Broadbeach and hire a scooter through to the event. The City of Gold Coast have plenty of bike racks around the precinct for your convenience.
Taxi or Ride Share
Sure to be a popular option and the most susceptible to delay is jumping in a taxi or ride share; if you’re coming from the airport or inland, you can get dropped off near the event precinct. But during peak periods, this may be a slower option due to traffic congestion and road closures around Surfers Paradise and Main Beach.
What to bring
If you are in the GA area, we recommend bringing an umbrella, snacks, and water. There will be plenty of food vendors on site, but there may be some lines. Also, for seating, make sure to bring a chair or some towels to pull up.
- Chair or Seating
- Comfortable Footwear
- Sunscreen and Hats
- Small Shade or Umbrella
- Wet weather jacket or clothing.
- Water & Snacks
Same-day passouts are also allowed, so you can head into many of the Bars & Restaurants for a meal at any time during the three-day event. Just scan your ticket out before you return.
GC500 Musical Lineup
The Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 has a new party hub in 2026: Sound Track, a live music precinct on Macintosh Island inside the circuit. It’s free for all ticket holders and runs through the afternoons and into the evening on all three days, so there’s music between sessions and after the racing wraps up.
