Newcastle is set to play a bigger role in Australia’s premier domestic hockey competition this year, with the city awarded a second NSW Pride match in the 2026 Hockey One season.  

The expanded fixture means the NSW Pride will return twice to the Newcastle International Hockey Centre across October and November.

Traditionally, New South Wales has hosted three home matchdays each Hockey One season. 

In 2026, however, the state will host four, with Newcastle securing two of them following strong crowd support and community engagement since the competition first arrived in the city in 2024. 

The announcement was confirmed as part of the official 2026 Hockey One fixture release, with the NSW Pride men’s and women’s sides set to host interstate rivals Brisbane Blaze in Newcastle on Friday, October 16 before returning later in the season to face the Tassie Tigers on Friday, November 20.  

The increased presence in Newcastle gives another major sporting boost for the region and highlights the confidence Hockey NSW has in the city’s ability to host national-level events.  

Hockey NSW CEO Carolyn Campbell says Newcastle had quickly established itself as an important host for the competition. 

“The Newcastle International Hockey Centre, and the Newcastle community, have really embraced Hockey One and the NSW Pride since they first hosted a match day back in 2024,” she said.  

“Hockey NSW is delighted to now double the delivery of Hockey One at Newcastle this year in appreciation and acknowledgment of the fantastic venue and crowds. 

“The Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre is the iconic home of hockey in NSW, and the NSW Pride squads are packed full of some of the biggest talents in world hockey.” 

The 2026 season will also see the Pride return to the iconic Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre for the first time since 2023, but for Hunter hockey fans, the biggest takeaway is Newcastle’s elevated role in the national competition.  

The Pride squads head into the season after both securing bronze medals in 2025, with many of Australia’s top domestic players expected to feature throughout the campaign. 

The season opens away from home on Sunday, October 11 against the competition’s newest franchise, the Melbourne Cobras, before Newcastle hosts the first NSW home matchday just five days later.   

For locals, the additional matchday provides greater exposure to elite-level hockey in the region and an opportunity for young athletes to see some of the country’s best talent up close.  

The continued expansion of Hockey One in Newcastle also reflects the city’s broader emergence as a major host of national sporting events, with the Hunter increasingly attracting top-tier competitions across multiple sports.  

With two blockbuster matchdays now locked in, Newcastle’s place on the Australian hockey map continues to grow.  

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