2026 National Championships

Canberra Locks In Multiple National Championships in 2026

Hockey ACT is excited to announce that Canberra will host five National Championships in 2026, spanning both Indoor and Outdoor formats. The nation’s best athletes across multiple age groups will descend on the capital, showcasing elite talent and providing a major boost to the local hockey community.

Indoor National Championships

Hockey ACT will host three Indoor National Championships, with:

• Open Championships – 11–15 January 2026
• Under 21 Championships – 16–19 January 2026
• Under 18 Championships – 20–24 January 2026

2026 marks the third consecutive year Hockey ACT has been selected to host the Indoor Championships, reflecting Canberra’s reputation for delivering high-quality, professional events.

Following a standout 2025 campaign, ACT teams will return with plenty of ambition:

• The Open Men and Under 21 Men will aim to defend their national titles after winning gold in 2025.
• The Under 18 Men will look to upgrade their silver medal performance.
• The Open Women and Under 21 Women will aim to turn their bronze medals into gold.
• The Under 18 Women, who finished 5th last year, will be eager to climb the standings.

Outdoor National Championships

Canberra will also host two major Outdoor National Championships in 2026:

• Under 21 Championships – 23–30 April 2026
• Under 14 Championships – 4–10 October 2026

The Under 21 Women will defend their historic national title after going undefeated in Bendigo in 2025, securing ACT’s first gold in the age group in more than 40 years. The Under 21 Men will be determined to improve on their 7th-place finish.

The Under 14 Boys will be excited to compete on home soil after winning bronze in Brisbane, while the Under 14 Girls aim to climb the rankings following a 9th-place finish. The Under 14 Nationals will coincide with the start of the Hockey One League, with Canberra hosting up to four home games in 2026.

“Hockey ACT are thrilled to welcome Australia's best hockey talent to EPC Solar Hockey Stadium and Canberra in 2026. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our local athletes, volunteers, and supporters to experience high-level competition right on their doorstep, but also an incredible outcome for the ACT community as we host ten National Championship events and deliver a $3 million impact for the Canberra economy” said Rob Sheekey, CEO, Hockey ACT.

Tournament Dates:
Indoor:

• Open: 11–15 January 2026
• Under 21: 16–19 January 2026
• Under 18: 20–24 January 2026

Outdoor:

• Under 21: 23–30 April 2026
• Under 14: 4–10 October 2026

Tournament Venue

All championships will be held at the EPC Solar Hockey Stadium, Lyneham.