Darwin to host the 2025 Oceania Cup between Australia and New Zealand

International hockey is set to return to the Top End in a big way with one of the country’s most important events to be hosted in Darwin next year. Here’s what you need to know.

Hockey NT president Amy Peterson, NT Major Events acting chief executive Trevor Cox, Nova Peris, Hockey Australia chief executive David Pryles, Sport Minister Jinson Charls and Hockey NT chief executive Jason Butcher and announcing that Darwin will host the 2025 Oceania Cup in a return of international hockey to the NT. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

International hockey will return to the Top End next year when it hosts the coveted Oceania Cup between the Australia and New Zealand.

The Oceania Cup will take place from September 4-7, 2025 and will deliver a thrilling spectacle as the national sides take part in a best of three series in Darwin.

As well as fighting for title honours, the Cup is also an important qualifying event ahead of the 2026 Hockey World Cup, set to be held in Belgium and the Netherlands.

It’s a ringing endorsement of the ongoing resurgence in NT Hockey, which includes the Festival of Hockey matches between the Territory Stingers and Brisbane Blaze.

The Stingers have also recently sealed a four-year deal with the Malaysian Hockey League, with the overarching push to join Hockey One, something they were not selected for as an expansion side.

Hockey Australia chief executive David Pryles, Nova Peris, Sport Minister Jinson Charls, NT Major Events acting chief executive Trevor Cox and Hockey NT chief executive Jason Butcher announcing that Darwin will host the 2025 Oceania Cup in a return of international hockey to the NT. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

There is also been a 26 per cent increase in junior level participation, which is the second strongest growth of any state or territory.

Hockey NT chief executive Jason Butcher said hosting the Oceania Cup was a huge win for hockey in the Northern Territory, and showed the NT had what it takes to hold major hockey events.

“This event will be a massive boost for our sport and is a testament to the hard work our community has put in over the last 18 months,” he said.

“It’s a great vote of confidence in the direction we’re heading as a sport, and we can’t wait to see the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos back in Darwin.

“Two years ago, we raised a call to arms, which has been answered by a community, they’ve done an amazing job, worked very hard, and this is testament to all of that work.

“We’ve hosted the Festival of Hockey off our own back for two years, now we have the support of these major entities saying this is where we want the home of the Oceanic Cup to be next year.

“We’ve worked hard to make ourselves strong again and we’re finally getting the support from everywhere, and yet, we can’t get a gig in Hockey One, yet every other state and territory can.”

Hockey NT chief executive Jason Butcher announcing that Darwin will host the 2025 Oceania Cup in a return of international hockey to the NT. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The last international series to be based in Darwin took place in 2016, while there was a four nation series between the Kookaburras, China, Korea and India in 2008.

The Hockeyroos last competed in Darwin in 2004 in a tri-nations tournament with New Zealand and Japan.

Both Australian sides have a strong history of featuring Territory talent including current representatives Tom Wickham and Jeremy Hayward, as well as the recently retired Brooke Peris.

Nova Peris was another big name to fly the flag for the NT in the Hockeyroos’ gold medal winning side in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

“I’m absolutely thrilled international hockey has made its way to the Northern Territory,” she said.

“You can’t be what you can’t see and with the recent retirement of my younger cousin we need inspiration for the future generations of players in the NT so they can live their dream as well.

“It’s an absolute honour and privilege to be here for something so fantastic for the NT and for the population to see hockey at its finest.”

Nova Peris announcing that Darwin will host the 2025 Oceania Cup in a return of international hockey to the NT. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hockey Australia chief executive David Pryles said it was a big occasion for the sport of hockey and the NT.

“This is a momentous occasion for our sport as we bring Australia’s best to the beautiful region of Darwin,” he said.

“The Northern Territory has produced some of the sport’s greatest athletes and I’m excited to see this classic rivalry play out across three days.”

The 2025 Oceania Cup Test Series is supported by the NT government through NT Major Events, with tickets set to go on sale next year.