Ministry of Sport

HoopsFest Perth Smashes Crowd Records with 25% Growth

Posted on January 19, 2026January 19, 2026 by Courtney

The National Basketball League (NBL) has announced a record-breaking success of HoopsFest Perth 2026, reporting a 25% increase in attendance year-on-year.

The four-day festival, which took over Western Australia from 15–18 January, drew more than 35,500 fans through the gates of RAC Arena and community venues, cementing the event’s status as the premier fixture on the Australian basketball calendar.

The decision to move to January school holiday period proved a masterstroke for the organisation.

Highlights included a total sell-out for Friday night’s NBL/WNBL double-header, which saw the Perth Wildcats overcome the Illawarra Hawks in front of a capacity crowd.

Noting that the event exceeded all internal projections, NBL Group CEO, David Stevenso, said: “The fact we’ve smashed last year’s record by an incredible 25 per cent shows significant growth and is a credit to everyone involved.”

The program was bolstered by the global presence of NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, who served as the festival’s official ambassador.

Beyond the elite competition, the festival expanded its grassroots footprint through the HoopsFest Cup at Warwick Stadium, where 220 players competed for a $50,000 prize pool.

Simultaneously, the Bounce Nation Fan Zone at Forrest Place integrated sneaker culture and “dance battles,” creating a recognisable hub for the sport’s lifestyle elements.

For Tourism Western Australia and the Cook Government, the event represents a vital economic driver.

Following the $6.1 million impact generated by the inaugural 2024 edition, early data suggests the 2026 festival attracted thousands of interstate and international visitors, assisted by the presence of scouts from 15 NBA teams.

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Dallas Mavericks Coach Jason Kidd Launches National ‘JK Select Baseball’ Program

Posted on January 19, 2026January 19, 2026 by Courtney

Dallas Mavericks head coach, Jason Kidd, has formalised a major expansion of his philanthropic and sporting footprint, announcing the launch of JK Select Baseball.

The nationwide youth initiative, located in Dallas, is designed to provide elite development, mentorship, and professionalised pathways for young athletes, mirroring the successful model of Kidd’s existing girls’ basketball organisation.

While the Naismith Hall of Famer is a recognisable icon of the NBA, the move marks a return to his roots; Kidd grew up playing baseball in the Bay Area and has remained deeply connected to the game.

The initiative to launch is both professional and personal, inspired by his 15-year-old son, Chance Kidd, a standout prospect at Prestonwood Christian Academy who is currently navigating the national travel circuit.

Commenting on the launch of his “JK Select Baseball”, NBA Hall of Famer, Kidd, said: “Sports have played a huge role in shaping who I am today. My 15-year-old, Chance, is playing baseball, and I’ve gotten to see a little of the travel side of it. Since we’ve had success with the JK Select Girls program, we felt that model could work in baseball too.”

The initiative follows the successful blueprint of JK Select Girls Basketball, which has produced over 45 NCAA Division I athletes in six years.

However, Kidd also emphasised that the honour of the program lies in holistic development.

“Everyone’s not going to go pro, they could be doctors, they could be coders… hopefully we can help these young men in all areas,” Kidd added.

Strategic Structure and National Growth

The program will operate through a sophisticated three-tier system:

National Teams: Foundation-supported squads for elite 15u–17u athletes.
Regional Teams: Managed directly by JK Select and based in the Dallas hub.
Licensed Franchises: A pathway for partner organisations to adopt the JK Select model for players aged 7u to 18u.

Commercial and operational momentum has been immediate, with more than 150 teams already engaged across the United States. The organisation has set an ambitious target to scale to 1,000 teams in key baseball markets.

To ensure high-performance standards, Kidd has partnered with a leadership team including Tate Caraway, Brandon Chancellor, and Mike Phelps, who bring a combined 40 years of experience across collegiate and professional baseball.

PSG and WWE Announce Partnership to Boost London Market

Posted on January 19, 2026January 19, 2026 by Courtney

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has announced a high-profile partnership with WWE, launching a multi-layered retail and entertainment activation in London to coincide with WWE SmackDown at the OVO Wembley Arena.

The collaboration, which saw the wrestling giant temporarily take over PSG’s flagship Oxford Street store from 12–18 January 2026, represents a strategic move by the French giants to deepen their footprint in the UK’s premium lifestyle market.

The centerpiece of the partnership is the “Paris brings the SmackDown” capsule collection, a limited-edition program that blends PSG’s recognisable visual identity with WWE’s entertainment imagery.

In a first for the club, the collection features a signature t-shirt headlined by WWE icon John Cena. Adopting a “streetwear drop” model rather than traditional sports merchandising, the range includes hoodies, crewnecks, and tote bags, with price points ranging from USD54 (AUD80) for t-shirts to USD114 (AUD170) for premium hoodies. A flagship WWE x PSG Legacy Championship Title Belt was also released, retailing for approximately USD670 (AUD1000).

Strategic engagement was further driven through the “MyParis” membership program. Fans who purchased items from the collection were entered into a prize draw for a “Golden Ticket,” granting access to an exclusive meet-and-greet with WWE United States Champion Carmelo Hayes.

This model successfully linked physical retail conversion to experiential rewards, reinforcing the store as an immersive “playground” rather than a mere point of sale.

The choice of London as the primary activation hub highlights its role as a key international market for PSG.

One New Zealand Warriors Extend Partnership with Musashi

Posted on January 16, 2026January 19, 2026 by Courtney

The One New Zealand Warriors have solidified their high-performance foundations for the 2026 and 2027 NRL seasons, formalising a two-year partnership extension with premier sports nutrition brand Musashi.

The agreement ensures the organisation remains fuelled by science-backed supplements as it enters a high-stakes campaign under the leadership of Head Coach Andrew Webster.

Commenting on the partnership, One New Zealand Warriors COO commercial and marketing, Glenn Harris, said: “We’re thrilled to have Musashi with us for another two years as a valued and critical partner in our high-performance area.”

Noting the shared values between the two entities, Musashi senior brand manager – Sports, added: “Musashi and the One New Zealand Warriors exemplify the power of collaboration in sport.”

“Our range will help to fuel the pursuit of excellence both on and off the field,” Haylett said.

As the club’s Official Sports Nutrition Partner, Musashi’s branding will retain its prominent position on the back of the trainers’ shirts during all NRL matches.

This collaboration is a cornerstone of the Warriors’ football department, focusing on “performance amplified” through elite-level recovery and nutritional protocols.

The brand, established in 1987, is a staple of the New Zealand sporting landscape and operates as part of the Auckland-based Vitaco Health Group, which employs more than 600 staff across its state-of-the-art facilities.

The program’s emphasis on local manufacturing remains a key selling point for the partnership.

Fiji Airways Named Official Airline Partner of Inaugural OFC Pro League

Posted on January 16, 2026January 19, 2026 by Courtney

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has announced a multi-year partnership with Fiji Airways, designating the carrier as the Official Airline Partner of the OFC Pro League.

The announcement arrives as the region prepares for the historic kick-off of its first-ever professional football league on Saturday, 17 January, with match day one set for Auckland’s Eden Park.

As an inaugural partner, Fiji Airways will provide critical logistical support to connect eight clubs across seven nations, facilitating travel for players, match officials, and staff.

The partnership is a strategic cornerstone for the new league, which features a circuit-based format requiring extensive regional travel between hubs in Suva, Port Moresby, Honiara, and Melbourne.

Commenting on the partnership, OFC general secretary, Franck Castillo, said: “The launch of the OFC Pro League is a historic moment for football in Oceania, and having Fiji Airways alongside us is incredibly significant.”

“Their support ensures our clubs and officials are connected seamlessly as we usher in a new era for the game,” Castillo said.

Noting the airline’s commitment to regional excellence, Fiji Airways chief sales & marketing officer, Kamal Haer, added: “As the national carrier, we are committed to connecting the Pacific and supporting initiatives that elevate our region on the global stage.”

“The OFC Pro League represents an important milestone for football development, and we are honoured to help teams and fans travel safely,” Haer said.

The deal includes branding across digital displays during match days, beginning with the double-header at Eden Park featuring Vanuatu United FC against Bula FC, followed by the “New Zealand Derby” between Auckland FC and South Island United.

To celebrate the launch, Fiji Airways has released a 10% discount for fans travelling across its network using the promo code OFCFJ, valid for bookings made through 31 May 2026.

The organisation’s vision for the league is to provide a sustainable professional support for Pacific talent, with the champion earning qualification for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

Parramatta Eels and Motiv8sports Launch Free Holiday Clinic in North Parramatta

Posted on January 16, 2026January 19, 2026 by Courtney

The Parramatta Eels, in a partnership with Motiv8sports and the City of Parramatta, have announced a free community holiday clinic to be held on Wednesday, 21 January 2026.

The event, titled “Summer in Parradise,” is designed to encourage active participation among primary school-aged children, providing a supportive environment for kids of all abilities and cultural backgrounds to engage with the sport.

The clinic will take place at The Green in the Parramatta North Precinct from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. This two-hour program offers a “non-contact” introduction to rugby league and multi-sport activities, focusing on teamwork and fundamental movement skills.

Participation is strictly limited to 150 children (Kindergarten to Year 6), with the organisation expecting spots to be exhausted rapidly following the opening of registrations.

This initiative is a key pillar of the City of Parramatta’s AUD1.15 million three-year investment in community engagement and sports participation.

By offering these sessions at no cost to families, the Eels aim to remove financial barriers to junior sport while strengthening the brand’s connection with the Western Sydney community.

Commenting on the importance of the event during the partnership launch, Parramatta Eels CEO, Jim Sarantinos, said: “Our partnership will result in thousands of local kids and multicultural communities benefiting from holiday clinics.”

Beyond the physical activities, the clinic serves as a strategic engagement tool for the club’s junior fanbase.

While player appearances are subject to training schedules, the event often features recognisable mascots Sparky and Sparkles, alongside NRLW development officers.

Families are encouraged to register via the Motiv8sports portal or the club’s official website, as valid registration is mandatory for attendance to comply with insurance and safety protocols.

FIFA Records Over 500 Million Ticket Requests for 2026 World Cup

Posted on January 16, 2026January 19, 2026 by Courtney

FIFA has announced the conclusion of its Random Selection Draw ticket sales phase, reporting a staggering 500 million requests for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 33-day application window, which closed on 13 January 2026, saw an average of 15 million requests per day, a global statement of demand that FIFA President Gianni Infantino described as “extraordinary.”

The volume of interest for the first-ever 48-team tournament has shattered all previous records.

Outside of the host nations, Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the highest demand originated from Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Colombia.

The most coveted fixture of the phase was the Colombia v Portugal clash in Miami on 27 June, followed by Mexico’s group match in Guadalajara and the tournament final in New York New Jersey on 19 July.

Following the closure of the draw, the Trump administration announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, effective 21 January.

While the U.S. State Department clarified that the move primarily targets immigrant visas and does not impact temporary tourist visas (B-2) required by fans, the list includes competing nations such as Brazil, Colombia, Morocco, and Uzbekistan.

To mitigate travel friction, FIFA is set to launch the FIFA PASS (Priority Appointment Scheduling System) in the coming weeks, a strategic initiative designed to grant ticket holders prioritised visa interview appointments.

To further drive global engagement, FIFA has also designated TikTok as its first “Preferred Platform.”

The multi-year program will provide fans with unprecedented behind-the-scenes access, curated match clips, and a structured “creator program” allowing influencers into press conferences and training sessions.

This digital focus is intended to broaden the tournament’s reach beyond traditional broadcasting, particularly as political calls for boycotts emerge following recent civil unrest in the United States.

Successful applicants will be notified of their ticket status via email no earlier than 5 February 2026. For those who miss out, a Last-Minute Sales phase is scheduled for April, once the final teams are confirmed through the intercontinental play-offs.

Manchester City Monetises Academy IP with Global ‘CityCoach’ Launch

Posted on January 16, 2026January 19, 2026 by Courtney

Manchester City has launched CityCoach, a scalable coaching education platform designed to distribute the club’s elite football methodology to a global audience.

The initiative, announced on yesterday, 15 January 2026, represents a calculated move to package internal academy expertise into a commercial digital product, extending the club’s influence beyond the pitch and into the EURO15 billion global sports training market.

Developed in partnership with the Coachbetter app, a platform already servicing over 10,000 coaches, CityCoach provides a structured, digital learning framework based on the principles of the City Football Academy (CFA).

The program offers grassroots and professional coaches access to ready-to-use training sessions, video-based practices, and tactical insights across multiple age groups, ensuring the club’s “total football” philosophy remains recognisable and consistent worldwide.

Manchester City academy director, Thomas Kruecken, who joined the club from VfB Stuttgart, serves as a lead contributor to the platform’s masterclass series.

“This is about making world-class knowledge accessible for every coach.”

“By sharing the practices that shape our players at every level, we are helping coaches build better teams while maintaining the integrity of the Manchester City methodology,” Kruecken said during the launch.

The organisation’s decision to adopt a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) model allows for rapid global scaling at a relatively low marginal cost.

Commercially, CityCoach functions as a direct-to-consumer (DTC) revenue stream, monetising the club’s intellectual property (IP) through tiered subscription plans on the Coachbetter app, which range from EURO64.99 to URO159.99 annually.

This strategic pivot into “EdTech” (educational technology) is a core pillar of the club’s 2026 digital roadmap. By embedding its methodology into an app used daily by its international football schools, Manchester City not only secures long-term engagement with educators but also strengthens the brand’s authority as a global leader in player development. As top-tier football clubs face tightening financial regulations, the monetisation of academy IP through such programmes is expected to become a critical secondary revenue source for elite European teams.

Netball New Zealand Appoints Interim CEO and NBA Performance Expert

Posted on January 16, 2026January 19, 2026 by Courtney

Netball New Zealand has announced a two leadership appointments to stabilise the organisation following a period of unprecedented administrative rollercoaster.

Jane Patterson ONZM will step in as interim chief executive on 19 January, while high-performance specialist Chelsea Lane joins in the newly-created role of head of Performance – Silver Ferns.

The appointments, announced on yesterday ,15 January 2026, follow the December departure of long-serving CEO Jennie Wyllie and a challenging 2025 marked by the controversial temporary suspension of head coach Dame Noeline Taurua.

Patterson, a highly decorated administrator who served as COO for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, brings immediate stability as the board conducts a global search for a permanent successor.

Commenting on her new roles, newly appointed interim chief executive, Patterson, said: “My immediate focus as interim CEO is to provide stability, clarity and support across the organisation.”

“This is a time to listen, to connect with our staff and communities nationwide, and to ensure netball new zealand is well positioned for the future,” Patterson said.

The recruitment of Chelsea Lane is a strategic coup for the Silver Ferns program. Lane’s recognisable CV includes senior roles with the Golden State Warriors during their championship-winning years and the Atlanta Hawks.

Her expertise in aligning performance, culture, and sports medicine is seen as a direct response to the “high-performance environment” concerns that surfaced last year.

Dame Noeline Taurua, who was reinstated after a player-led review, welcomed the addition to her staff.

“Chelsea’s proven ability to align performance, people and culture will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen the Silver Ferns programme,” she noted.

For the organisation, these moves are essential as they prepare for a high-stakes 2026 international calendar, including the Commonwealth Games in July.

Netball NZ chair, Matt Whineray, emphasized that the new leadership structure allows the teams to stay focused on delivering commercial and on-court results during a pivotal transition year for the sport in Aotearoa.

SEN Announces Coverage for 2026 Australian Open

Posted on January 16, 2026January 19, 2026 by Courtney

SEN (Sports Entertainment Network) has announced its broadcast strategy for the 2026 Australian Open, unveiling what it describes as its most comprehensive coverage of the tournament to date.

Broadcasting live from a dedicated commentary bunker within Rod Laver Arena, the network will provide 24/7 digital and linear radio coverage, ensuring tennis fans remain connected to every “match-defining moment” from the season’s first Grand Slam.

The rollout begins on Sunday, 18 January, with the main SEN network launching its live coverage at midday.

Simultaneously, AO Radio will commence a 24/7 stream via the SEN App, running continuously through to the Men’s Final on Sunday 1 February.

The organisation will leverage its “SEN Stadium” technology, allowing fans attending Melbourne Park to listen to live, low-latency commentary in real-time, while home viewers can use “SEN Sync” to align the radio audio with their television broadcast.

Emphasising the network’s commitment to delivering high-value sports content, SEN CEO, Craig Hutchiso, said: “The Australian Open is one of the most iconic events on the sporting calendar, and we are thrilled to once again provide unrivaled coverage.”

“From live commentary at Melbourne Park to our digital platforms, SEN is committed to bringing every thrilling moment of the tournament to life,” Hutchison said.

The program features a world-class commentary team including Brett Phillips, Jordan Kounelis, and former Australian Open doubles champion Mark Woodforde.

The experts will provide full live commentary of every Men’s and Women’s Semi-Final and Final, alongside rolling coverage of the matches featuring local honour-roll players like Alex de Minaur and Maya Joint.

Commercially, the coverage spans more than 20 local stations across Australia, from SEN 1116am in Melbourne to SEN WA and SEN Goldfields in the west.

SEN aims to secure record digital engagement during a fortnight that typically generates the highest peak audience for the network each year.

Basketball Australia Launches First 3×3 Championships in Ballarat

Posted on January 16, 2026January 16, 2026 by Courtney

Basketball Australia has formalised an expansion of its high-performance calendar with the launch of the inaugural 3×3 Championships.

Set to take place at Selkirk Stadium in Ballarat from 30–31 January 2026, the tournament serves as the official national pathway for the Australian Gangurrus program, bridging the gap between domestic talent and the global professional circuit.

The event, which will run alongside the Foot Locker U20 National Championships, is designed to identify the next generation of 3×3 stars across Under 17 and Under 23 divisions.

For U17 athletes, the stakes include potential selection for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, while the winning U23 teams will earn direct qualification and travel support for the Shibuya Challenger in Japan this April—a critical “Lite Quest” stop on the FIBA 3×3 Pro World Tour.

Commenting on the expansion of the game, Basketball Australia major events manager, Aurélien Bova, said: “It’s going to be a fantastic event, with so much on the line, we’re expecting a highly competitive environment that showcases the depth of 3×3 talent emerging across Australia.”

The organisation’s move to a centralised championships model reflects the rapid commercial and Olympic growth of the 3×3 format.

Unlike traditional 5v5 format, the 3×3 Championships focus on adaptability and individual world ranking points.

To ensure elite participation, Basketball Australia has committed to a High-Performance model that removes financial barriers by providing comprehensive travel and preparation support for teams that qualify for international duties through this event.

The tournament also acts as the primary selection trial for the Australian U23 3×3 program ahead of the 2026 FIBA U23 World Cup.

By integrating the results into its expanding national database, Basketball Australia aims to streamline its talent identification, ensuring the recognisable success of the women’s Olympic debut in Paris is sustained through the Brisbane 2032 cycle.

As the 3×3 format continues to dominate urban sporting culture in Asia and Europe, this inaugural championship serves as Australia’s anchor in the global game.

Golden State Group Seeks Record-Breaking USD11 Billion Valuation in Stake Sale

Posted on January 16, 2026January 16, 2026 by Courtney

Golden State Group, the parent holding company of the Golden State Warriors, is reportedly seeking a minority investor for a 5% stake that would value the organisation at over USD11 billion (16.4 billion).

The transaction, currently being advised by Citigroup, represents a new high-water mark for North American sports valuations, surpassing the recent USD10 billion (AUD14.9 billion) benchmark set by the Los Angeles Lakers in late 2025.

The offering is uniquely strategic, encompassing more than just the seven-time NBA championship franchise. The Golden State Group portfolio includes the Chase Center arena in San Francisco, a USD1.4 billion (AUD2 billion) privately funded facility, the Thrive City mixed-use district, and the Golden State Valkyries, who recently set a WNBA record with a USD500 million (AUD746 million) expansion valuation.

The sale also includes a Golden State Group board seat and exclusive “ownership lounge” access, providing a rare institutional entry point into the most profitable brand in the league.

Commenting on the announcement, Warriors spokesperson, Raymond Ridder, said: “Per our organisation policy, we do not comment on the potential sale or non-sale of ownership among our investment group.”

Despite the official silence, the reason behind the sale is clear: the group is capitalising on a period of unprecedented revenue growth, with Golden State Group reporting a league-leading USD880 million (1.3 billion) in net revenue for the 2024–25 season.

The recognisable rise in value is largely attributed to the “dynasty era” under Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, who purchased the team for just USD450 million (AUD671 million) in 2010. While private equity firm Arctos Partners has already increased its holding to 15%, this latest 5% tranche is expected to attract sovereign wealth funds or ultra-high-net-worth individuals looking to diversify away from volatile public equities.

The sale comes amid a broader wave of “institutionalisation” across the NBA, following Mark Walter’s acquisition of the Lakers and Mat Ishbia’s purchase of the Phoenix Suns.

As star players like Stephen Curry and Jaylen Brown continue to advocate for player equity in an era of soaring franchise prices, the Warriors’ USD11 billion (AUD16.4 billion) price tag sets a new standard for the next generation of professional sports ownership.

Harbinger Sports Partners Unlocks Institutional Access via iCapital Marketplace

Posted on January 15, 2026January 16, 2026 by Courtney

Harbinger Sports Partners, a private investment firm specialising in minority ownership of premier U.S. professional sports franchises, has officially launched on the iCapital Marketplace.

The move, announced on yesterday, 14 January 2026, signals a shift in how institutional and high-net-worth investors access one of the world’s most resilient and scarce asset classes.

Historically, minority stakes in major leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB were reserved for a narrow group of ultra-wealthy individuals.

Harbinger’s arrival on iCapital, a platform used by over 100,000 financial professionals, aims to provide a modern private-markets framework for sports ownership, offering increased transparency and professionalised “disciplined underwriting.”

The Strategic Investment Thesis

The firm, led by their president, Mark Cuban, CEO Steve Cannon, and CIO Rashaun Williams, identifies sports franchises as durable, long-term assets with low correlation to traditional public equity markets.

“For decades, minority ownership in professional sports was broken—limited access, misaligned economics, and little institutional structure.”

“Sports teams are durable long-term assets, but the way investors access them hasn’t evolved,” Cuban said.

Key commercial drivers for this asset class include:

Media Rights Certainty: Long-term, multi-billion dollar agreements with partners like NBC, Amazon, and Disney provide predictable, recurring revenue.
Structural Scarcity: A finite number of franchises in major leagues creates a natural value floor and high barrier to entry.
Uncorrelated Returns: Sports valuations have historically remained resilient through economic downturns and are seen as a hedge against inflation and AI-driven market disruption.

Leadership and Operational Expertise

Steve Cannon (former CEO of AMB Sports and Entertainment) and Jonathan Mariner (former MLB CFO) join Williams and Cuban to lead the investment process.

Rashaun Williams emphasized that the intersection of “durability and recurring revenue” makes these assets increasingly important for portfolio construction in a volatile market.

Through the iCapital partnership, Harbinger aims to streamline the “add-to-cart” experience for advisors, allowing them to participate in the “golden era” of sports investing.

This is particularly timely as major leagues have recently eased ownership restrictions, with the NFL now allowing private equity firms to acquire up to 10% of a team, a move that has already facilitated record-breaking minority transactions for franchises like the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.

Football Australia Appoints Former Stan Boss Martin Kugeler as CEO

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Courtney

Football Australia has announced the appointment of Martin Kugeler as its new CEO, signalling a leadership reset ahead of the most important period in the organisation’s modern history.

The former CEO of streaming service Stan, Kugeler, will officially commence in the role on 16 February 2026, following an eight-month global search conducted by executive firm Egon Zehnder.

Highlighting the value of Kugeler’s media pedigree, Football Australia Chair, Anter Isaac, said: “Martin brings a wealth of professional experience across operational excellence, innovation, finance, strategy and global media, this is a rare combination and one that will deliver results for football in Australia.”

Martin Kugeler, a lifelong football fan originally from Germany, expressed his ambition to drive commercial growth.

“There isn’t a sport in the country that can match the existing domestic and international footprint of football.”

“I will be leading the team with a strong focus on innovation, robust professional structures and enhanced commercial outcomes to increase investment back into the game,” Kugeler stated.

An Appointment amids Landmark Calendar Year

With Australia set to host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in March, followed by the Socceroos’ campaign at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America.

Kugeler’s extensive background in global media and digital innovation is viewed as an asset, particularly as the organisation seeks to rectify an AUD8.5 million loss recorded in the previous financial year and navigate upcoming broadcast rights negotiations.

In a move to ensure continuity, current Interim CEO Heather Garriock will remain with the organisation in the newly-created role of Executive Director of Football and Deputy CEO.

Garriock’s role will provide a holistic focus on high performance and national team development, ensuring that football excellence remains aligned with the brand’s commercial ambitions.

The program for 2026 is expected to focus heavily on leveraging the “Matildas effect” to secure long-term digital and broadcast stability for the game.

First Oracle Perth SailGP Hits Capacity Ahead of 2026 Season Opener

Posted on January 15, 2026January 15, 2026 by Courtney

SailGP CEO and co-founder SailGP has formalised its arrival in Western Australia with a complete sell-out of the inaugural Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix presented by KPMG.

The event, set to take place in Fremantle this weekend (17–18 January), marks the first time the global championship has opened its season in Australia, with more than 15,000 ticket-holders expected to pack the organisation’s first-ever “Grandstand Stadium” on Bathers Beach.

Expressing his pride in the Fremantle reception, SailGP CEO and co-founder, Sir Russell Coutts, said: “Shortly after we went on sale, it was clear we were likely to sell out. The support for SailGP has been phenomenal in Perth.”

He noted that the Indian Ocean’s reliable “Fremantle Doctor” winds are expected to provide world-class racing conditions for the high-tech F50 catamarans, which can exceed speeds of 100km/h.

The 2025 season generated a global broadcast audience of 215 million, and the WA government aims to leverage this reach to showcase Fremantle as a premier sporting destination.

Highlighting the broader commercial implications of the event, Acting Tourism Minister, Dr Tony Buti, added: “The sell-out is a clear sign that Western Australia is a world-class host.”

“SailGP will deliver a significant boost to our economic diversification strategy, supporting local tourism operators and businesses,” Buti added.

The sell-out provides a boost for the league as it enters its sixth season with a record-breaking expansion.

For the first time, a fleet of 13 national teams, including the newly formed Artemis SailGP Team from Sweden and Red Bull Italy, will compete on the same start line.

The program represents a major coup for Tourism Western Australia, with the event secured as part of a three-year deal expected to inject millions into the state’s economy and support hundreds of local jobs.

Fans who secured tickets will also gain access to the Après Sail festival at Bathers Beach, featuring a headline performance by ARIA-winning duo Sneaky Sound System on Sunday.

For those who missed out, the organisation has confirmed that the racing will be broadcast live in Australia on Fox Sports, Kayo, and SBS, ensuring the recognisable green-and-gold BONDS Flying Roos, led by Tom Slingsby, are seen by millions as they begin their quest to reclaim the championship honour.