Darwin to host 2027 Hockey Australia U18 National Championships
The Championships will bring together the country’s best U18 players, officials, and supporters, showcasing the depth and potential of the next generation of Australian hockey talent.
Hockey Australia is pleased to announce that Darwin, Northern Territory, will host the 2027 Hockey Australia U18 National Championships, with the national junior pathway tournament to be played from Friday 2 July to Saturday 10 July 2027 at the MWT Hockey Centre, Darwin.
The Championships will bring together the country’s best U18 players, officials, and supporters, showcasing the depth and potential of the next generation of Australian hockey talent.
The event is expected to once again deliver significant economic and community benefits for Darwin, with hundreds of players, officials, volunteers, and supporters travelling to the Territory across the nine-day championship.
The U18 Championships is a key event within Hockey Australia’s talent pathway, with many of the athletes competing in Darwin expected to progress into the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos programs — with the potential to be wearing the green and gold at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
The announcement continues the momentum of the three-year agreement between Hockey NT and Hockey Australia to bring national championship events to the Northern Territory.
Following the successful delivery of a Hockey Australia national championship in Darwin in 2026, the 2027 U18 Championships will see another major national event return to the MWT Hockey Centre and continue to build Darwin’s position as a destination for national-level hockey.
The return of national championship hockey to Darwin builds on the Northern Territory Government’s broader investment in hockey and major sporting events across the Territory.
Nick Frayne, Senior Manager – Events at Hockey Australia, said hosting the U18 Championships in Darwin was an important milestone for the sport’s talent pathway.
"The U18 Championships is a key event within Hockey Australia's talent pathway, with some of the athletes competing in Darwin expected to progress into Hockey Australia's national pathway programs and, in time, to represent Australia on the world stage, including potentially at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games," Frayne said.
“The three-year agreement with Hockey NT is about building a long-term home for national hockey in the Territory, and the 2027 U18 Championships are the next chapter in that story. Some of the players who take the field in Darwin next July could be wearing the green and gold at Brisbane 2032.”
Hockey NT CEO Jason Butcher said securing the Championships built on four years of successfully hosting national and international hockey in Darwin, including the recent 2025 Oceania Cup and the 2026 U18 National Championships.
“Successfully hosting another national championship this year continued to showcase what Darwin, and our hockey community can deliver,” Butcher said.
“The three-year agreement with Hockey Australia gives us the opportunity to build on that success and establish the Territory as a regular destination for national hockey.
“Bringing the U18 Championships back to Darwin in 2027 is another significant step. It will once again bring hundreds of players, officials, families and supporters to the Territory and give our community the opportunity to see some of Australia’s best young hockey talent here at home.”
Hockey NT Technical Director Michelle Caden said hosting the U18 National Championships in Darwin would provide an important opportunity for the Territory’s emerging athletes, coaches and officials to experience national-level hockey at home.
“For our young athletes, having a national championship in Darwin means they can see the standard required at the next level and experience that environment without having to leave the Territory,” Caden said.
“It is also a fantastic opportunity for our coaches, officials and younger players to be around some of the best emerging hockey talent in Australia.
“We are working hard to strengthen the pathway for Territory athletes, and having events like the U18 Championships regularly coming to Darwin is an important part of creating that environment.”
Hockey Australia and Hockey NT look forward to working with local stakeholders as preparations progress for the 2027 Championships.
Further event information, including competition details, participating associations and schedules, will be released closer to the event.
Event Details
Event: 2027 Hockey Australia U18 Championships
Dates: Friday 2 July – Saturday 10 July 2027
Venue: MWT Hockey Centre, Darwin
