Wollongong to Host the 2026 Hockey Australia Indoor Masters Invitational
Hockey Australia is pleased to announce that Wollongong will host the 2026 HA Indoor Masters Invitational, with the Illawarra Hockey Centre confirmed as the official venue for the national event.
Set to take place from 4–13 December 2026, the tournament will bring together more than 400 participants from across Australia, with men’s and women’s Masters teams competing across multiple age divisions in a two-stage national indoor format.
The event represents a major addition to Hockey Australia’s national events calendar and highlights the continued growth and strength of Masters hockey across the country.
Illawarra Hockey Inc. President Garry Bull said the local hockey community was excited to welcome the event to the region.
“The Illawarra hockey community, including Illawarra South Coast Hockey and the Illawarra Hockey Centre, is thrilled to be hosting the Hockey Australia Indoor Masters Invitational. With our world-class playing surface and the attractions of Wollongong and the Illawarra region, this event promises to be an unforgettable experience for visiting players and spectators alike. We look forward to the opportunity to showcase our venue and deliver an event to remember for the wider hockey community.”
Hockey Australia Senior Events Manager Nick Frayne said the Invitational would provide a valuable platform for Masters athletes while delivering strong outcomes for the host region.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing the 2026 Masters Indoor Invitational to Wollongong, creating an opportunity to showcase the passion, skill and community that defines Masters hockey in Australia. This event will bring together players from across the country and deliver meaningful benefits to the local region. Hockey Australia would like to thank Destination Wollongong and Illawarra Hockey Inc. for their support, and we look forward to working together to deliver a fantastic event.”
The event has been supported through funding from Destination Wollongong, reinforcing the region’s reputation as a leading destination for major sporting events and community-based competitions.
Destination Wollongong General Manager Jeremy Wilshire said the region is looking forward to welcoming the national hockey community.
“Destination Wollongong is excited to support the 2026 HA Indoor Masters Invitational and to welcome more than 400 competitors to our city this December. Wollongong in summer is truly special, and we know visiting athletes and their supporters will find plenty to do off the court. From our coastline to our food scene and everything in between, Wollongong offers so much to those who take the time to explore it. We're proud to play a role in bringing this event to the Illawarra and look forward to showing competitors we are all about."
The 2026 HA Indoor Masters Invitational will not only showcase the high standard of Masters hockey in Australia but also celebrate the community, connection and lifelong participation that underpins the sport.
