The 2026 North Queensland Games have delivered a major boost for regional sport, with more than 2,000 athletes and another 1,000 coaches, officials, trainers and staff taking part across Mackay and regional centres, including Moranbah and Nebo.
Returning to the Mackay and Isaac regions for the first time since 2018, the Games featured 25 sports across major venues, local clubs and community grounds, from BMX and boxing to para powerlifting, Special Olympics events and western horse performance.
North Queensland Sports Foundation Chief Executive Officer Alexander J. Fisher said bringing the Games back to the region was about more than competition.
“This year, we were glad to bring home grown talents back to North Queensland to inspire the next generation, including former IBF World Champion boxer Liam Paro, Olympic heptathlete Tori West and Olympic gold medallist Natalie Cook,” he said.
More than 1,500 people attended the Opening Ceremony at Harrup Park, which included fireworks, family activities and the 7NEWS 100m Sprint.
While Mackay hosted the bulk of the Games, Moranbah and Nebo played a key role in bringing the event into regional communities, contributing an estimated 305 participants through BMX and western horse performance events.
One of the standout moments came in Moranbah during the BMX competition, where Jensen Blake from Cairns claimed victory in the Under 13 boys race as part of the Ethan Stevens Memorial event.
Alexander said the events in Moranbah and Nebo extended competition opportunities beyond Mackay, giving athletes from smaller communities the chance to compete at a high level close to home.
“One young boy visited the Games Hub before competing in his athletics events and excitedly told our staff it was his first time running on a tartan athletics track. Moments like that perfectly reflect what the North Queensland Games are designed to achieve.
“Regional communities are central to the identity of the North Queensland Games. The Games are about more than medals and results, they are about creating opportunities for athletes to grow and potentially progress to higher levels of competition.”
Across the Games, athletes also had the chance to meet and compete alongside elite athletes, including Olympian Tori West at the athletics events.
“Young athletes had the chance to compete alongside Olympians, speak with them between events and gain insight from athletes who have performed on the world stage. For many of the children involved, it was an unforgettable experience.”
Behind the scenes, volunteers, sporting clubs and families contributed countless hours to ensure competitions ran smoothly across the region.
A special mention was also given to Mary Richardson, who this year celebrated her 28th year involved with the Games after first joining in 1998.
Looking ahead, Alexander said the success of the regional events showed communities like Moranbah and Nebo are more than capable of hosting large scale sporting events into the future.
“Having incredible turnout in regional towns shows these communities are absolutely capable of hosting and showcasing a wide variety of events.
“Hopefully we can continue to build off the success and encourage more sport and recreation events to build a base in regional Queensland.”
