Sport
20 March, 2026
FNQ’s AFL, rugby league and soccer kick-off
THE Cairns and Hinterland region are all preparing for their upcoming 2026 campaigns, with a variety of sporting clubs hitting the track for their first bit of playing action.
All clubs from all codes have put in a big off-season, working their players hard and working off any rust, putting them in the best possible position for success and premiership glory in season 2026.
AFL Cairns has kicked off their preseason campaign with multiple blockbuster matchups for a jampacked day of football.
The games are all scheduled for Saturday 21 March, headlined by the match of the day where the North Cairns Tigers face off the Thuringowa Bulldogs who have made the road trip all the way from Townsville.
This much anticipated match-up sees the AFL Cairns premiers take on the AFL Townsville premiers to see who will be named the kings of the north.
The new-look South Cairns Cutters will make the road trip to the 2025 runner-up Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs, while Cairns Saints will host Port Douglas Crocs in an old-fashioned grudge match.
The FNQ rugby league season is just around the corner with the A-grade, reserves and women’s season all beginning on an already huge weekend of local sport.
In the A-grade Cairns Brothers look to defend their crown for the fifth straight season. The players and coaches are all very aware that they are currently the hunted and not the hunters but are still very confident walking into this season that they can continue their great form and put together another very successful season.
The reserves grade is currently wide open with lots of hopeful teams currently chasing the crown, from the defending premiers Cairns Brothers, while in the women’s, the Atherton Roosters look to go back-to-back after a dominant 2025 campaign.
Soccer also begins this Friday 20 March, headlined by Douglas Dragons premiership defence when they take on the Stratford Dolphins at home, while Atherton hosts Leichhardt and Innisfail face off Edge Hill.
