Date: Friday 6 March
Time: 5.00pm – 8.00pm
Location: GMHBA Stadium and Djilang Plaza
Experience the thrill of playing on the field at GMHBA Stadium
The 2026 Festival of Sport at Kardinia Park will take place on the Friday evening of the Labour Day long weekend. The festival is a free community event, celebrating the vibrant diversity of sport in our region
and active participation.
This year marks the sixth Festival of Sport at Kardinia Park. The event brings sports of all kinds together at the iconic GMHBA Stadium – including sports that are much-loved as well as new, unique
ones to try. In 2026, there will be over 30 activators, each with hands-on experiences on offer. It’s an opportunity for all the family to try something new!
Supported by Deakin University and K Rock, the twilight event continues to bring the Geelong
community together.
“The Festival of Sport is a highlight on our calendar each year, providing the community with the opportunity to enjoy and try a variety of sports at Kardinia Park. It’s an opportunity for all the family to
have fun and take to the same field as their sporting heroes”, said Gerard Griffin, CEO Kardinia Park Stadium Trust.
In addition to trying the sports on offer, there will be entertainment and food trucks in Djilang Plaza and throughout the precinct.
2026 activators
Activators at the 2026 Festival of Sport include Geelong Rugby Union Club, Rollerway Skate Centre, Hockey Geelong, Geelong All-Abilities Sports Club, Coerver Coaching, Geelong Sharks Rugby League, Y Geelong, Golf Australia, Cricket Victoria, Royal Geelong Yacht Club, AFL Barwon, Geelong Swimming Club, Geelong Gaels Gaelic Football and Hurling Club, Geelong Ninjas, Geelong
Underwater Hockey, Modern Pentathlon Victoria, Victorian Blind Cricket Association, Barwon Academy of Arms, Geelong Ultimate Muay Thai, Geelong Scottish Dancers, Eastside Calisthenics, St Johns Ambulance CPR Lab, The Geelong Running Festival, Leisure Networks Parallel Sports, Read the Play, AthletiIQ Basketball, Tennis Victoria and AFL Victoria.
Geelong Sports Museum – open during the festival
At the festival, Geelong Sports Museum will be open with free entry. Everyone can explore the rich sporting history of the Geelong region, including the community exhibition – Soaring Eagles, Roaring Thunder: Geelong’s BMX Story.
