Global Drone® 2026: The World’s Meeting Place for Autonomous Innovation Comes to the Gold Coast
11 – 13 November 2026 | CBUS Stadium, Robina | Gold Coast, Australia
The Gold Coast is set to host one of the most significant gatherings of autonomous technology leaders, investors and innovators the Asia-Pacific region has seen. Global Drone® 2026 runs across three days from 11 – 13 November at CBUS Stadium, Robina.
What Is Global Drone® 2026?
Global Drone® 2026 is an annual, multi-platform event bringing together leaders across drones, robotics, autonomous systems and advanced air mobility. The event covers industries from agriculture and infrastructure to logistics, defence and emergency services.
Global Drone® 2026 is a three-day, multi-platform event staged at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina, comprising three integrated components:
Expo | Commercial and government exhibitors across the UAS, robotics, AI and aerospace sectors, with live flight and ground demonstrations on the stadium field
Congress | Six industry-leading congress across the three days:
- Advanced Air Mobility
- Agri-Business Presented by CommBank
- Defence Robotics & Counter-UAS
- Technology, Ecology, Conservation & Natural Disaster Response
- Beaten Zone Ventures Future Invest
- Entertainment & Sport + Mining, Construction & Asset Management
Flight | The Drone Zone is the live demonstration arena on the Cbus Super Stadium playing field, staging 120 aerial, terrestrial and aquatic drone demonstrations across three days, where the technology comes off the page and into the air.
Positioned as the only event globally covering the full UAS spectrum – aerial, terrestrial and aquatic, alongside robotics and AI, Global Drone® is designed as an annual platform establishing the Gold Coast and South East Queensland as the APAC first-mover in the low-altitude economy ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Congress Programme
Global Drone 2026 includes five congress verticals targeting distinct sectors of the autonomous systems industry. The Advanced Air Mobility Congress brings together global AAM leaders from OEMs, transport, tourism, logistics, vertiport companies, airports and regulators.
The CommBank Agribusiness Congress highlights the importance of agri-drones and innovations across robotics and BVLOS, plus likely future trends focusing on crop monitoring, precision spraying, stock management and water management. Smart farms, food security, mustering by drones, crop management and employment. Agri-drone innovations enhance productivity, conserve resources, address climate challenges and ensure food security; agriculture is the largest sector for drone use in Australia.
The Defence Robotics & Counter-UAS Congress presents a platform for discussions on the latest developments in defence and protecting critical infrastructure using UAS (drones). Defence Robotics is dedicated to the future of uncrewed aerial systems, uncrewed surface vessels, uncrewed underwater vehicles and uncrewed ground vehicles on the battlefield. The Counter-UAS segment on Day 2 of Global Drone is dedicated to identifying and addressing evolving challenges and advancements in countering uncrewed aerial threats, bringing together law enforcement, security professionals, critical infrastructure asset holders, CUAS industry leaders and stakeholders from across the globe to tackle unauthorised malicious drone activities.
Future-facing industries and the integration of cutting-edge technologies into industry sectors are covered across the congress days. The programme also features prominent educational institutions and universities exploring the integration of AI, robotics and autonomous technologies into the workforce of the future. Demonstrations in the Drone Zone showcase drone and robotics systems, fostering hands-on learning and technical skills development.
The Technology, Ecology & Conservation panels examine the intersection of technology, ecology and conservation in managing ecosystems, with a focus on surveying and controlling feral pests while protecting endangered species. It explores evidence-based approaches to integrated coastal ecosystem and land management, with a focus on practical implementation, adaptive management and long-term conservation outcomes.
The Natural Disaster Response panels aim to enhance healthcare delivery by showcasing the integration of uncrewed autonomous systems (UAS) into emergency response mechanisms. Swift transportation of medicines, vaccines, blood products and diagnostic mapping to remote communities will improve healthcare accessibility, particularly in areas with limited infrastructure or during natural disasters. Natural disaster relief operations (fire and flood), keeping frontline workers safe and providing real-time overwatch.
Beaten Zone Ventures Future Invest: robotics and autonomous systems across defence, space and aerospace compete for corporate funding for their ideas. Venture capitalists and private equity form the selection panel, choosing the company they see as having the most potential for their individual investment. The PitchFest focuses on raising funds for (1) start-ups in robotics and autonomous systems, and (2) the scale-up of established businesses in robotics and autonomous systems, focusing on the defence supply chain for AUKUS Pillar 2 and Land 156.
A dedicated student day features prominent educational institutions, universities, government representatives and industry leaders. It explores the integration of AI, robotics and autonomous technologies into the workforce of the future. Sessions bring together government, academia and industry to identify the talent required for Australia to thrive in this technological era. Demonstrations in the Drone Zone showcase drone and robotics systems, fostering hands-on learning and technical skills development.
Why the Gold Coast?
Global Drone®’s mission is to establish South East Queensland as the APAC first-mover in all forms of autonomous systems, robotics, AI and Advanced Air Mobility services. The City of Gold Coast has actively sponsored Global Drone® specifically due to the city’s potential to attract and nurture innovation and thought leadership. The event is expected to attract all sectors of the UAV and Advanced Air Mobility industry from around the world.
Competitors across the Asia-Pacific are already investing heavily in this space. Singapore has developed an advanced urban air mobility testbed and regulatory sandbox. Japan is rolling out national drone delivery infrastructure and AAM corridor development. South Korea is executing its government-backed K-Drone System and Urban Air Mobility Grand Challenge. Global Drone positions the Gold Coast to compete directly for first-mover advantage in the low-altitude economy.
Strategic Legacy
Beyond the event itself, Global Drone® is designed to build a lasting innovation ecosystem in South East Queensland. This includes advancing a revitalised Queensland transport plan integrating eVTOLs into the Gold Coast–Brisbane corridor ahead of 2032, and building on Boeing’s Ghost Bat programme and Land 156 commitments, leveraging 200+ Australian and International companies already contributing to sovereign aerospace capability.
The event will also act as a catalyst for new educational pathways, jobs and advanced manufacturing opportunities on the Gold Coast.
Register Your Interest
Interested in attending, exhibiting or sponsoring Global Drone® 2026? Explore the website to find the right pathway for you, or contact the Global Drone team at info@globaldroneshow.com for more information.
