Brisbane is set to become home for Water Polo Australia’s marquee competitions in 2027, with the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYWPC) and Australian Waterpolo League (AWL) Finals to take place in the Olympic city in April 2027.
With both events set to be hosted in the river city during the same period, it will provide a unique opportunity to bring together Olympians from the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers and Aussie Sharks, alongside the next generation, as part of a two week festival of water polo.
The Australian Youth Water Polo Championships is the largest water polo event held in the Southern Hemisphere and has grown to become a true festival of water polo, and in 2027 will take place from Wednesday 30 March through until Friday 9 April.
A record 245 teams competed at the AYWPC in 2026, featuring players aged 11 to 18 years old from clubs right across Australia as well as internationally from South Africa, Singapore and New Zealand.
The Australian Waterpolo League is one of the longest standing leagues in Australia, with the Finals to feature the top six men’s and women’s teams, following a 10-week home and away series. The AWL Finals will be held from Thursday 1 until Sunday 4 April.
Water Polo Australia CEO Tim Welsford said: “Bringing our two flagship events to Brisbane, in the same window, is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the depth and growth of our sport in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
“The Australian Youth Water Polo Championships has become a genuine highlight on our calendar, and after the record turnout we saw in 2026, we hope to see that growth continue in 2027.
“To host the Australian Waterpolo League Finals alongside the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships is an incredible opportunity to showcase the top players from across the country to our next generation of players. We hope this opportunity will not only inspire and motivate young players but display the pathways and journey of playing elite water polo.
“Queensland is a proven world-class sporting city and we can’t wait to bring even more water polo to Brisbane and continue to inspire future Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks and Aussie Stingers, players who dream of playing a home Olympics in just over five years’ time.”
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell MP said: “Securing two of Water Polo Australia’s biggest events is a great result for Queensland as we continue to pave the green and gold runway towards the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“These events will bring thousands of athletes, officials and supporters to Queensland, generating around $17 million for our economy and cementing Queensland’s reputation as Australia’s events capital.
“Through Destination 2045, the Crisafulli Government is backing major events that grow visitation, strengthen our visitor economy and showcase Queensland as a world-class destination.”
Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander MP said: “In the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we want to cement Queensland’s legacy as the home of Australian sport, securing more major events that inspire our next generation of sporting talent.
“Bringing the nation’s best water polo players and thousands of young athletes to Brisbane gives Queenslanders the chance to see their sporting heroes in action, inspiring our young athletes to pursuit a journey from grassroots to gold.
“These events deliver lasting benefits beyond the pool, growing participation, supporting local jobs and businesses, and helping build the green and gold runway to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said: “Hosting the largest water polo event in the Southern Hemisphere is a real coup for Brisbane.
“Thousands of players and their families will be in town for the championships, filling our hotels, restaurants and local businesses.
“We’re proud to add another fantastic event to our city-wide calendar, bringing more visitors to Brisbane and creating more to see and do in Australia’s lifestyle capital.”
The major events will take place on the following dates:
2027 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships
Wednesday 30 March – Friday 9 April
2027 Australian Waterpolo League Finals
Thursday 1 April – Sunday 4 April
