Annual carnival bringing together Masters football teams from every state and territory for a week of competition across multiple grounds in the Newcastle region.
The AFL Masters National Carnival comes to Newcastle and the Lake Macquarie region from Sunday 27 September to Saturday 3 October 2026. It's the biggest event on the AFL Masters calendar, bringing together players aged 35 and over from every state and territory for a week of footy. AFL Masters NSW is running this one, and the whole thing is built around the players rather than the fixture.
That means it's not just about the matches. The week includes training runs, game days, the National Gala Dinner and Awards night, and a few optional paid activities like a Golf Day and High Tea if you're keen on more than just the oval. The football itself is split into age divisions: Men's 35s, 40s, 45s, 50s, 55s, 60s and 65s, and Women's 35s, 40s and 45s, with a non-contact women's division also on the program.
Games are spread across the region, so you'll be seeing action at several grounds: Newcastle No. 1 Sportsground, Hawkins Oval, Harker Oval, Ford Oval, Pasterfield Sports Complex and Feighan Oval. Just keep in mind there's no transport provided between venues, so you'll need to sort your own way from one ground to the next.
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Registration is A$550 in total, which breaks down as a A$360 AFL Masters National fee and a A$190 NSW Masters fee. You'll also need the compulsory gear — guernsey, shorts, socks, a training shirt and a polo shirt — which can cost up to A$100 per set. It runs from Sunday 27 September through to Saturday 3 October.
Date
27 September – 3 October
Location
Newcastle & Lake Macquarie Region
Price
Paid
Recommended Age
+14 years
