Oceania Cup Returns to Darwin with Commercial Opportunities for Hockey Australia

As the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos prepare to defend their Oceania Cup titles against their old rivals New Zealand, excitement brews in Darwin, marking the return of international hockey to the Top End after an eight-year hiatus.

The 13th edition of the Oceania Cup is set to take place from September 4 to 7, presenting a unique opportunity for fans in the Northern Territory to witness world-class hockey. Enthusiasts looking to attend can find all relevant details regarding the event online, while the matches will be broadcast live and free of charge via 7plus. Tickets are available through Ticketek, with children aged 12 and under admitted for free. In an exciting incentive, the first 150 spectators will receive complimentary goodie bags, courtesy of Hockey Australia’s partners.

A Full Circle Moment for Kookaburras

This tournament serves as a key qualifier for the upcoming 2026 FIH World Cup for both the Hockeyroos and the New Zealand Black Sticks women’s team.

The event promises three double-header match days, scheduled for Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, with games commencing at 6:00 PM ACST each evening.

Expressing his enthusiasm for returning home, Kookaburras co-captain and Darwin native, Jeremy Hayward, shared: “Playing international hockey back on the very fields I started on is a full circle moment.”

Community Engagement

The event will also feature community engagement initiatives, including the Adina Community Clinic, allowing young fans to connect with their sporting heroes.

This clinic is part of a broader effort to strengthen hockey’s grassroots presence through Hockey Australia’s Hookin2Hockey program for children aged 5 to 12.

The competitive atmosphere is further boosted as the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos look to defend their titles after swift victories over the Black Sticks in Whangārei, New Zealand, during the previous Oceania Cup. Both teams subsequently secured spots for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The first match of the Oceania Cup will commence on Thursday at 6:00 PM ACST, with the Hockeyroos scheduled to follow at 8:00 PM ACST. For those keen to catch all the excitement, the full match schedule is available online. The anticipation is building, and both teams are poised for intense competition over these crucial days.

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