The 2026 Oceania Athletics Championships will be conducted in Darwin, Australia with the Championships to begin on Monday May 18^th.

Australia has previously hosted the Championships on seven (7) occasions, and this will be the first time Darwin has hosted the Championships, joining Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Adelaide as host Cities in Australia. Darwin’s tropical climate and multicultural mix, makes it a perfect host venue for the Championships.  

The Larrakia people are the Traditional Owners of the land that have lived in the greater Darwin region since before European settlement. The Larrakia, who refer to themselves as “Saltwater People”, had a vibrant history based on a close relationship with the sea and trade with neighbouring groups such as the Tiwi, Wadjiginy and Djerimanga as well as trading routes with Southeast Asia.

“After arguably one of Australia’s most successful Olympic Games in Athletics, Darwin is looking to be the pathway for the next generation of Athletes when we host the 2026 Oceania Athletics Championships.” Athletics NT Chair, Chris Pook, went on to say, “These Championships will be the highest ranked meet in the Oceania Area in 2026 and will give the athletes of the Pacific the opportunity to qualify for the following edition of the World Championships in China and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.  The Northern Territory Government has been incredible with their support of the upcoming Oceania Athletics Championships, and we know that with their continued support, we will be able to host the best-ever Championships right here in the Territory”.

Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley reconfirmed the Northern Territory Government’s support for the event noting that Arafura Stadium is the perfect host venue. “Located in the Marrara Sporting Complex and the home of Athletics Northern Territory, it is the only certified Athletics facility in the Northern Territory. We’re incredibly proud to host the Championships at Arafura Stadium where we have previously hosted the NT Championships, Arafura Games, Oceania Para Athletics Championships and Australian Masters Championships as well as many other National and State events.”

The Oceania Athletics Championships have grown significantly, with the most recent edition in Suva, being the largest ever with the first time over 1000 athletes competing. The Senior Championships will form a critical part of qualification for World Athletics Series Events and contributes heavily towards athletes World Rankings. In Suva, it saw 24 athletes utilise points gained from the Championships in the qualification for the Olympic Games.

Oceania Athletics President Robin Sapong was asked about the opportunity of Darwin hosting the Championships, “We are thrilled to be making our way to North Australia for the 2026 Oceania Athletics Championships.  Darwin has long been on our radar as a potential host and to finally be heading that way is exciting for our Association.  Northern Territory Athletics have been pro-active in seeking sponsorship and this will ensure the facility and equipment are first class.  Our Pacific Island Federations are looking forward to heading to Darwin and we hope we will also be able to entice our Asian neighbours.”

There will be further announcements on the event list, age groups and timetable in the coming months. With a commitment to have Masters and Para Events at our Championships.

Tom O’Shaughnessy
Competitions Manager – Oceania Athletics:
competitions@oceaniaathletics.com