2026 North Queensland Games

If you have grown up in Mackay, or spent any decent amount of time here, you will know just how deep sport runs through our veins. It is stitched into our weekends, brings our communities together and it is where many of our kids find their first sense of purpose. From footy ovals and soccer fields, netball courts to the athletics tracks and swimming lanes, sport is a big part of who we are.

That is why I am excited that the North Queensland Games is returning to our region in May 2026. We have hosted it before, with the first games in Mackay in 1990, and this next chapter is a great opportunity to show off the heart of grassroots sport and the spirit that makes this place tick.

As part of the board for the North Queensland Sports Foundation, it is a privilege to organise this North Queensland Games alongside our neighbours at Isaac and Whitsunday Regional Councils. I get to see what sport means across different towns and different communities. I also see what it can unlock, with a view that it is a shared responsibility, not belonging to any region, but rather to the people of North Queensland.

With the 2032 Olympics on the horizon, the timing is spot on. The Games will give our young athletes an opportunity to spark some big dreams. Whether it’s a first-time swimmer or a rising star in athletics, this is the kind of opportunity that can really light their fire.

There is also a real benefit that comes with visitors heading to town, booking hotels, supporting local cafes and exploring the best of Mackay. It’s a win not just for sport, but for our small businesses and the broader economy.

I know there are challenges in our region and many pressures that families are feeling. While they are always front of my mind, it is also important we take a moment to recognise and enjoy the positives when they come our way.  Bringing the 2026 North Queenland Games to Mackay is something we can all feel proud of. It’s a chance to celebrate what we love and show visitors what our region is all about.

If you are curious about what’s involved or just want to keep an eye out, have a look at the page - www.nqgames.com.au.

It might even get you thinking how you could be a part of it too!

By Cr Ash-Lee Johnson

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