In 2026, communities across regional Queensland will be treated to spectacular experiences, thanks to the Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast SUNS and AFL.
In January, the Lions will travel from Wide Bay to Thursday Island with their 2024 and 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Cups, providing footy fans the opportunity to see the silverware up close.
In February, the SUNS will take Matt Rowell’s 2025 Charles Brownlow Medal north, visiting schools and hosting AFL clinics.
Head of AFL Queensland and International Trisha Squires said the tours will allow more Queenslanders to connect with the game.
“We have a thriving AFL community in Queensland and we are so excited to be working with both the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast SUNS to deliver memorable experiences for footy fans across the regions,” she said.
“We want everyone in Queensland to have the opportunity to love and connect with Australia’s game in 2026 and believe this activity could inspire more participants to get involved, whether that be playing, coaching, umpiring or volunteering.”
Brisbane Lions Chief Executive Officer Sam Graham said it was an incredible opportunity to give back to an ever-growing Lions fan base.
“As a football club we’ve had an incredible couple of seasons, so to be able to take the Cups on the road across Queensland and share the successes with our incredible fans is a great opportunity,” he said.
“It feels like a great way to kickstart 2026, in what hopefully will be another successful season for our football club.”
Gold Coast SUNS Chief Executive Mark Evans said the club were looking forward to sharing Matt’s success with the fans in the region.
“For the past fifteen years as part of our Community Camp, we have travelled to North Queensland to get out amongst the local school and football communities in an effort to help continue to grow the game of AFL in the region,” he said.
“We’re incredibly proud of Matt’s efforts throughout 2025 and to be able to give an up-close and personal look at his Brownlow Medal, for footy fans in North Queensland and will hopefully help inspire the next generation of AFL & AFLW players to aspire for similar feats."
Further details on Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast SUNS Come & Try Clinics:
Maryborough
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Location: Bear Park, Maryborough
Time: 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: 5-11 Year Olds
Hervey Bay
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Location: Seafront Oval, Pialba
Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Ages: 5-11 Year Olds
Bundaberg
Date: Friday, January 16, 2026
Location: Nielson Park, Bargara
Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Ages: 5-11 Year Olds
Gold Coast SUNS Come & Try Clinics
Rockhampton
Date: Monday, February 9, 2026
Location: Frenchville Sports Club, Rockhampton
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Ages: 5-11 Year Olds
Mackay
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Location: Harrup Park, Mackay
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Ages: 5-11 Year Olds
Townsville
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Location: The Strand, Townsville
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Ages: 5-11 Year Olds
Cairns
Date: Friday, February 13, 2026
Location: Cazalys Stadium, Cairns
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Ages: 5-11 Year Olds
