Australia’s premier multi-sport event for deaf athletes is set to take place at various Coast venues from July 4-11.
The 2026 Australian Deaf Games will feature up to 20 sports including basketball, netball, futsal, table tennis, pickleball and touch football.
Competition will take place at venues including Caloundra Indoor Stadium, Sunshine Coast Recreation Precinct at Currimundi and Kawana Sports Precinct.
More than 1,200 athletes, officials, volunteers and supporters from across Australia and the Pacific are expected to descend on the Coast for the games, which celebrate deaf culture, community and inclusion.
In the lead up to the games, local businesses are helping create a more inclusive visitor experience by learning sign language and undertaking deaf awareness training.
Staff from Sunshine Coast Airport, SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast and Caloundra RSL have completed deaf awareness training through Deaf Connect, while staff at selected Sunshine Coast Council-operated venues have undertaken basic Auslan training to better support visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing.
In a joint statement, games ambassadors Jamie Howell, Caine Batten and Tegan Blanch said the event was about much more than sport.
“The Australian Deaf Games are such a special moment for our community – it’s a place where deaf athletes can come together, compete, connect and celebrate who we are.
“For many of us, the games have been a huge part of our journey in sport, and now to see them here on the Sunshine Coast is incredibly exciting.
“These games are about pride, resilience and inspiring the next generation of deaf athletes to get involved and believe in what’s possible.
“We can’t wait to see everyone come together to create unforgettable moments throughout the week.”
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Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the games would celebrate the achievements of deaf athletes while showcasing the region’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
“It’s an opportunity to showcase our region as a welcoming place for everyone,” Mayor Natoli said.
“This event will also inject spending into our local economy, supporting accommodation providers, restaurants and cafes, retailers and tourism operators during the winter period.
“We look forward to seeing athletes achieve their own Sunshine moments together, both on and off the field.”
Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Acting Minister for Sport and Racing, and Acting Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Andrew Powell said the event reinforced Queensland’s reputation as a major sporting destination.
“We’re proud to back events like the Australian Deaf Games that put inclusion front and centre and give athletes the stage they deserve,” Minister Powell said.
“This is exactly the kind of major event that drives our visitor economy – bringing more than 11,000 visitor nights and a $2.5m boost to local businesses across the Sunshine Coast.
“As we build towards Brisbane 2032, we’re investing in sport that’s inclusive, accessible and leaves a lasting legacy for communities across Queensland.”
