The Sunshine Coast is expected to be the perfect place for the Queensland men’s and women’s rugby league teams to hone their skills in 2026.
The region was recently announced as the squads’ high‑performance training hub for this year.
The men’s team will return to Twin Waters and will have access to Sunshine Coast Stadium for key training sessions led by coach Billy Slater, in their bid to defend their State of Origin title.
The women’s Maroons will welcome a fresh start under new head coach Nathan Cross, who will base his team at Mooloolaba for two of the three camps.
With the support of Sunshine Coast Council, the Maroons will hold sessions at the Kawana Sports Precinct in the lead up to the women’s series opener in Newcastle and game two in Brisbane.
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Fans will be able to attend open training sessions and official regional fan days for both teams, with details to be released in the future.
Mayor Rosanna Natoli said it was a coup for the region to have both teams based in the region.
“Our community is passionate about rugby league, and welcoming these elite squads brings an incredible buzz that will be felt right across our community,” she said.
“Hosting the Maroons not only excites our local fans, but also supports our businesses and strengthens our reputation as a premier high‑performance train-play-stay destination.
“With world‑class facilities like the Kawana Sports Precinct and Sunshine Coast Stadium, combined with our outstanding natural environment, the Maroons have everything they need to prepare for a successful 2026 series.
“We can’t wait to welcome the players, coaches and support staff, and I know our community will embrace them with true Sunshine Coast spirit.”
Head coach Cross is excited about the opportunity to prepare his team on the Sunshine Coast.
“It certainly is a great part of Queensland,” he said.
“Rugby league is thriving in the region and I’m sure our players and team staff will get a lift from the goodwill throughout the community.
“From a footy perspective, the Kawana Sports Precinct has everything we need for our squad to prepare well with multiple fields and a high performance training facility.
“We’re looking forward to arriving in April and getting stuck into our work ahead of the first game.”
