26th August 2026 Media Release

AFL Cairns proudly launches a unique opportunity to bring together Community Football and Elite Sport across one weekend. In 2026 Hawthorn will once again return to Cazalys Stadium to take on North Melbourne in the 2026 NAB AFLW Premiership season. This opportunity presents a landmark moment for community sport, whereby the 2026 AFL Cairns Women’s Grand Final will take place as a curtain closer to the AFLW Match. Bringing together community football and elite sport in one momentous festival of female football. This opportunity presents a historic moment for AFL Cairns Women’s Competition, with the two finalists taking the field after the completion of the AFLW Match on September 18, giving our athletes the opportunity to play in front of people from across the country, as well as local supporters.

The AFL Cairns Finals Series begins on September 4th with the AFL Cairns Women’s Elimination and Qualifying Final to be held at Cazalys Stadium. Either Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs or South Cairns Cutters (pending results from Round 19), will take on the Port Douglas Crocs Women’s from 6pm in the Elimination Final, while the currently undefeated ladder leaders North Cairns Tigers will take on South Cairns or Centrals Trinity Beach in the Qualifying Final at 7.45pm, with the winner securing a place in the historic Friday Night Grand Final at Cazalys Stadium.

The Development and Senior Men’s Elimination and Qualifying Finals will take place at Cazalys Stadium on the 5th of September. Port Douglas will take on South Cairns in the Senior Men’s from 5.15pm (Qualifying Final), Centrals will take on the Saints in the Senior Men’s Elimination Final at 2.30pm. The development matches will be 10.00am with South Cairns taking on Cairns Saints in the Elimination Final and at 12.15pm Port Douglas will take on Centrals Trinity Beach in the Qualifying Final.

The 2026 Finals series will culminate in a female festival of footy, with Hawthorn Taking on North Melbourne in the NAB AFLW on Friday 18th of September. 30 minutes post completion, the Chemist Warehouse Women’s Competition Grand Final will take place.

“This is a historic moment for our Women, to play in front of footy fans from across the country and on the same stage as the Elite. This opportunity recognises the importance in linking community sport with elite sport. Having the Curtain Closer for our AFLCW Grand Final, is a fantastic opportunity, a first across the Nation and one we are incredibly proud to work closely with Hawthorn and the AFL to bring to life.” – Brad Channon, AFL Cairns Football Operations Manager.

Patrons who purchase a ticket to the AFLW/AFLCW, will have free entry to the 2026 AFL Cairns Grand Final on Saturday the 19th of September. Action will get underway from 2pm with the Development Grand Final, while the Senior Men will kick off at 5.15pm, closing out an incredible 2026 Season.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH HOT SPRING

Cazalys Stadium will play host to one of the biggest sporting events Cairns has ever seen, with the inaugural T20 Cairns Gold Clash, Footy vs Cricket, officially launched this morning in front of players, media and community stakeholders.

Set down for Sunday, November 22, the event is an Australian first, bringing cricket royalty and footy legends together on the same field in a fast paced, entertainment led T20 showdown. The concept is inspired by New Zealand’s hugely successful T20 Black Clash, which has run for eight years and delivered sold out stadiums and record television audiences.

Team Cricket, backed by Woolworths, will be led by Usman Khawaja, Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey, three of Australia’s most decorated batsmen with a combined haul of multiple World Cup titles and thousands of international runs between them. Standing opposite them, Team Footy, backed by Oxworks and coached by former New Zealand Test captain and five-time IPL winning coach Stephen Fleming, brings together rugby league and AFL greats Johnathan Thurston, Sam Burgess, Dale Thomas and Joel Selwood.

Tennis champion Ash Barty has been confirmed as the event’s first wildcard selection, joining as a rare dual code athlete having previously represented the Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League. Duco Events has confirmed further player announcements will roll out in the lead up to game day, including an international cricketing legend set to join Team Footy as their own wildcard pick.

The event is expected to draw almost 12,000 fans to Cazalys Stadium, delivering millions of dollars in economic impact to Tropical North Queensland as visitors fill hotels, back local businesses and explore the region’s attractions. A full program of community events is planned in the lead up, including youth cricket clinics, player signings and fan giveaways.

Speaking at the launch, AFL Cairns General Manager Craig Lees thanked Duco Events for choosing Cairns, saying the city would not be disappointed and that AFL Cairns and Cazalys would pride themselves on over delivering. He also acknowledged the Queensland Government, Cairns Regional Council, Tourism Events Queensland and Tourism Tropical North Queensland for their genuine collaboration and alignment in bringing the event to life, alongside the AFL Cairns board for its leadership throughout the process.

Lees said hosting the Gold Clash was a serious vote of confidence in Cairns as a major events destination, and that Cazalys Stadium, tested by international cricketers for two decades and home to AFL premiership matches, was ready to deliver an unforgettable experience for the region.

Usman Khawaja, Michael Hussey, Matthew Hayden, Ash Barty & more to be announced!

Sam Burgess, Johnathan Thurston, Dale Thomas, Joel Selwood, Isaac Smith, Kate McCarthy, Stephen Fleming (coach) & more to be announced!