Sport and Recreation - ACT Government

Canberra, it’s game on!

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has kicked off and you can cheer on the Socceroos at local businesses across the city.

Venues across the ACT, including a new live site at the University of Canberra Refectory, will bring the community together for every match.

Pubs and clubs across the ACT will stream the games, taking advantage of extended trading hours for the World Cup opening and closing ceremonies and enabling them to open from 5am for the Australia v USA game on Saturday 20 June.

Canberrans can also attend the official live site at UC Refectory and back Australia on football’s biggest stage.

Socceroos' group stage games:

📅 Australia v Turkey: Sunday 14 June at 2pm
📅 Australia v USA: Saturday 20 June at 5am
📅 Australia v Paraguay: Friday 26 June at 12 noon

So get out, back the Socceroos and support local while you’re at it.

Learn more: https://www.act.gov.au/our-canberra/latest-news/2026/june/where-to-watch-the-socceroos-in-the-fifa-world-cup

Member Protection Information Officer Community of Practice 2: Responding to questions and complaints hosted by Play by the Rules - making sport inclusive, safe and fair.

It takes courage to be an MPIO. Your role involves dealing with people who may be upset, hurt or angry. Behind what people say and express lies their own experiences inside and outside of sport, which may include trauma. This session will detail the practical aspects of what we call ‘trauma-informed practice’.

This means you will have an increased understanding of:
- The psychology behind disclosures of harm
- How people’s own life experience shapes their behaviours in your club
- How you can respond in helpful ways that support and assure people

WHEN: Wed 17 June, 7:30PM AEST
WHERE: Online

Register: https://www.playbytherules.net.au/news-and-media/member-protection-information-officer-mpio-community-practice-2

Congratulations to the extraordinary people from across Canberra and the surrounding region who have been recognised in the recent King's Birthday Honours list for their contribution to our community including sport and recreation.

1. Bronwyn Fagan AM - For significant service to sports administration, to broadcast media, and to the community.
2. Mr Paul Cole OAM - For services to mountain biking.
3. Lieutenant Commander Kym Fisher OAM - For service to rowing as a coach.

Following this week’s wet weather, ACT Government turf sportsgrounds remain closed for training today, Friday 5 June until Sunday 7 June. Grounds will re-open for training activity on Monday 8 June.

All sportsgrounds are open for match play from today, Friday 5 June 2026 and over the long weekend.

Grounds will continue to be closely monitored during the weekend.

The ACT Government thank the community for their patience and understanding this week to allow grounds to dry and recover, to prioritise match play today and over the weekend.

All ACT Government turf sportsgrounds are CLOSED for training and match-play on Thursday, 4 June 2026.

A reassessment of grounds will be undertaken by 9am on Friday, 5 June 2026 to determine ground suitability for that day.

Melrose synthetic (Pearce 2) and Nicholls synthetic are closed for training, open for match-play. Woden Park (synthetic athletics track) is unaffected by the closure.

For any further enquiries or updates please contact our wet weather line on 02 6207 5957 or email [email protected].

All ACT Government turf sportsgrounds are CLOSED for training and match-play on Wednesday, 3 June 2026.

A reassessment of grounds will be undertaken by 9am on Thursday, 4 June 2026 to determine ground suitability for that day.

Melrose synthetic (Pearce 2) and Nicholls synthetic are closed for training, open for match-play. Woden Park (synthetic athletics track) is unaffected by the closure.

For any further enquiries or updates please contact our wet weather line on 02 6207 5957 or email [email protected].

Coaches and officials play a vital role in creating safe, inclusive and positive experiences - and now’s your chance to shape what comes next.

The Australian Sports Commission is developing new Coaching and Officiating Action Plans and is calling for input from across the sport community.

🗓️ Open until mid-June 2026
💡 Have your say via surveys, workshops or interviews

Help shape the future of community sport.

Learn more: https://www.ausport.gov.au/coaching/community/coaching-action-plan/get-involved

The ACT Government will deliver a major expansion to the Belconnen Basketball Stadium through the 2026–27 ACT Budget, supporting the continued growth of the sport in Canberra.

The expansion will increase court capacity and improve access for both training and competition, enabling one of Canberra’s most popular sports to expand and meet growing demand.

The development will include:
• An increase in indoor courts from four to seven
• A new convertible show court with retractable seating for up to 1,800 spectators, enabling Canberra to host higher-level competitions
• Additional change rooms and amenities for players, officials, and spectators
• Expanded car parking and the installation of solar panels.

Read more: https://www.act.gov.au/our-canberra/latest-news/2026/may/202627-act-budget-belconnen-basketball-stadium-expansion

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 (27 May – 3 June) marks a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The theme for 2026 is 'All In' - a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day. All In makes clear that reconciliation is not a spectator sport and that all of us must step away from the sidelines and take action to make change.

The artwork for this campaign is by renowned Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung artist Otis Hope Carey.

Learn more: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/

All ACT Government turf sportsgrounds are CLOSED for training and match-play on Wednesday, 27 May 2026.

A reassessment of grounds will be undertaken by 9am on Thursday, 28 May 2026 to determine ground suitability for that day.

Grounds not affected by this closure are Melrose synthetic (Pearce 2), Nicholls synthetic and Woden Park (synthetic athletics track).