The North Queensland Games (sometimes known as NQ Games) is the largest regularly run multi-sport event in regional Australia, promoting grassroots participation and regional competitiveness to foster sporting growth.

With a changing slate of sports held each iteration, we cater for traditional sports (Athletics/Swimming) and emerging sports (Disc Golf!) by creating a community-centric atmosphere to enable participation at all levels - amateur to elite!

We were established in 1984 and continue to run every two years

The 2026 NQ Games is hosted in Mackay, with selected events spilling into both the Isaac and Whitsunday Regional Council areas. 

The NQ Games will have a 'Host' venue - Harrup Park in Mackay. There will be another ~20 venues hosting competitions. You can visit individual sports pages on this site to see where

The Games changes location every two years, with 2028 being hosted in Townsville

The NQ Games are held biennially, meaning every two years.

The very first NQ Games was held in Townsville from April 19th, to April 23rd 1984.

Officially named the SGIO North Queensland Games, there was 42 sports with over 7000 sportspeople.

15,000 attended the first opening ceremony at Townsville Sports Reserve - check out our 'history' tab for more insights!

May 1st - May 4th, 2026 in the Mackay & Isaac Regions. Select events may run on another weekend in May to cater for appropriate venue and accommodation use.

We're already underway planning for the 2028 event in Townsville

Since it's inception in 1984, the NQ Games has been run by the North Queensland Sports Foundation (NQSF).

Established in 1983, NQSF promotes sport and active recreation across 25+ Local Government Areas.

The NQSF also hosts the annual NQ Sportstar Awards, are the custodians of the North Queensland Sports Hall of Fame, and promote and fund free community events through it's Move It NQ brand and phone app.

The Games are almost always run in partnership with a local council - with Mackay Regional Council partnering with us to deliver the 2026 Games

Under our Ts & Cs we don't allow for refunds for 'change of mind' or general unavailability issues.
We do provide full refunds for any sport or competition that doesn't go ahead (with the option of giving a partial refund and keeping a competitor kit).

If a refund is required for an individual, the participant is required to request the refund from games@nqsports.com.au and request the registration to be cancelled in PlayHQ. The refund will be manually performed by the accounts team - please allow 7 days for this to be actioned by our small team.

Please provide the following details;

• name of account holder of bank account
• BSB number
• account number

The refund will be processed less any transaction fees charged.

*No fees will be refunded after the event.

The Games Hub is essentially a little pop-up shop that opens prior to The Games, where competitors, families and sport organisers can come and collect their Competitor Packs, purchase NQ Games merchandise from the STRUDDYS store, and more!

The 2026 Games Hub is located at Harrup Park/Great Barrier Reef Arena, inside the Chairman's Room in the Stadium.

You can access the Games Hub from entering the precinct through Lamb Street, South Mackay, and driving up to the Stadium. There is ample parking, signage and a turn around area.

Map to come.

The Games Hub opens to the public from Wednesday April 29th and will remain open until Sunday May 3rd. Please see specific times as per below (times subject to change).

Please note: the STRUDDYS store will be located in the Games Hub on Wed/Thurs/Fri, before relocating to the ARC on Sat

Opening Hours

Wednesday April 29th: 8:30am - 5:30pm

Thursday April 30th: 8:30am - 5:30pm

Friday May 1st (Opening Ceremony): 8:30am - 8:30pm

Saturday May 2nd: 8:30am - 5:30pm

Sunday May 3rd: 8:30am - 12:30pm

The first 3000 participants to register across all sports are provided a free competitor pack! In 2026, each competitor pack includes a free bag and North Queensland Games hat! There are other goodies and surprises inside, provided by our partners.

If eligible, to collect you'll need to pick up the Competitor pack at the NQ Games Hub (Harrup Park) during the NQ Games Window Wednesday April 29th - Sunday May 3rd.

If you've registered via Play HQ, your Invoice/Order Number is important to your collection. If you've registered via another method (as required), you'll be informed via email in March & April about whether or not you're included! Further communication after April 20th will be emailed to all associated entrants!

Yes!

Online store via Struddys is now closed for pre-orders. If you selected 'pick up' or 'collect' from the online store, you can attend The Games Hub to collect your package at any time!

The STRUDDYS pop-up store will be open Wednesday to Friday at The Games Hub, with other pop-ups during the Opening Ceremony at Harrup Park on Friday, and again on Saturday at the Mackay Aquatic and Recreation Centre - while stocks last.

Friday May 1st.

Doors Open 5pm

Athletes Assemble 545pm

Athlete March Commence 6pm

On-stage 630pm-7pm

Community Area until 9pm

Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay.

Site map below.

The Opening Ceremony consists of a traditional athletes march, an on-stage presentation with Olympic representatives, fireworks, the Channel 7 100m Invitational Sprint, kids amusements, face painting, a torch-lighting ceremony, athletic-testing by the Queensland Academy of Sport and more

All participants and attendees are invited to join in—so gather your teammates, wear your colours with pride, and be part of this special tradition. The more, the merrier!

Marshalling will begin from 5:30pm on Field 3, with the march stepping off at 6:00pm, led by the Holy Spirit College Drumming Corps. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the atmosphere and represent your sport.

Please refer to the Great Barrier Reef Arena site map below, where the march route is highlighted in red.

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Whitsundays

Para-Powerlifting is being held at St Catherines Catholic College Hall , Proserpine.

Isaac

BMX is being held at the Moranbah BMX Club 

Western Horse Performance at the Nebo Showgrounds in Nebo 

Rockhampton

Baton Twirling is at  The Rockhampton Grammar School - Duggan Hall

April 26th

Pickleball

May 23/34

Gymnastics

3x3 Basketball

Skateboarding

May 30th

Disc Golf

Baton Twirling