Alice Springs Master Games returning in 2026, with swimming making a comeback
A sporting event for ‘elite athletes to weekend warriors’ is coming back to Alice Springs – with a much loved sport also returning after an absence. Find out more.
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A beloved sport is returning to the next iteration of the Master Games in Alice Springs – and it’s not the only addition to next year’s line up.
On Friday, the NT government announced the Master Games is returning to the Red Centre capital in October 2026.
Speaking at a press conference in at Albrecht Oval in Larapinta, Braitling MLA Joshua Burgoyne said swimming was also returning to the line-up for the games.
Talking on why swimming wasn’t in last year’s iteration of the games, Mr Burgoyne said “it came down to the factor of how many volunteers they could gather together”.
“Having the NT CEO of swimming here coming on board saying we will be supporting this event mean that we have the necessary volunteers to ensure that swimming is back on in 2026,” he said.
Also joining the Master Games line-up for the first time is the fast growing sport of pickleball.
Pickleball Alice Springs founder Greg Clark said he’s “excited” the sport will take place in next year’s games, with competitions set to take place across two different venues.
“So we hope to have a lot of more participants and a lot more venues and areas to be able to play in the future,” he said.
“It’s one of the fastest growing sports and we look forward to welcoming players across Australians and not only compete but to come together in friendship and fellowship, enjoy the inclusiveness of our growing community.”
The 2024 Alice Springs Masters Games saw more than 1200 punters take part, with 267 people volunteering their time to help.
It generated $2.6 million for Alice Springs.
Next year’s iteration is set to feature more than 20 sports played across 26 venues.
At the press conference, Mr Burgoyne said the government will continue to work with other sporting codes which weren’t involved last year to “see how we can continue to grow in the future”.
The 2026 Master Games will run from October 10 to 17.
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