Western Australia Commits Support to 2026 and 2030 UniSport Nationals in Landmark Partnership

7 July 2025 – Perth, Western Australia:

UniSport Australia is proud to announce that Perth, Western Australia, will host the 2026 and 2030 editions of the UniSport Nationals (Nationals), thanks to a new partnership with Tourism Western Australia.

This major commitment will bring one of the country’s largest annual multi-sport events back to Western Australia twice over the next five years, delivering significant benefits to the student sporting community and the state’s tourism economy.

Nationals bring together roughly 7,000 student-athletes from 41 universities nationwide, competing across 30 different sports for national titles. More than just a competition, Nationals is a celebration of university spirit, athletic excellence, and social connection.

Nationals is set to take place between 26 September and 3 October and a key highlight of the event in 2026 will be the second edition of UniFest, a midweek festival introduced in 2025 that provides students with a unique opportunity to connect beyond the field of play. Set against some of Perth’s most iconic backdrops, UniFest offers live music, entertainment, cultural activations, and a vibrant social atmosphere, cementing the Nationals as a truly holistic student experience and something not to be missed.

Mark Sinderberry, CEO of UniSport Australia, welcomed the announcement and acknowledged the important role Tourism Western Australia is playing in supporting university sport at scale.

“We’re thrilled to be returning to Perth not once, but twice over the next five years’” Sinderberry added, “Tourism Western Australia’s commitment to supporting the 2026 and 2030 Nationals is invaluable, and their investment in student sport will deliver lasting benefits for participants, the local community, and the broader university sector.”

“Western Australia’s outstanding sporting venues and welcoming hospitality make it a natural home for this event, and we look forward to working closely with our partners to deliver two unforgettable editions of Nationals,” Sinderberry said.

Tourism Minister Reece Whitby is looking forward Nationals in Perth as part of the state’s commitment to hosting a year-round calendar of major, regional, and mass-participation events. 

 “The WA Government is proud to be hosting the UniSport Nationals in Perth again in both 2026 and 2030, and we encourage athletes, officials, and spectators to use this as an opportunity to plan a dream holiday to WA and spend time exploring Perth or venturing out into our diverse regions,” Minister Whitby said.

 “Mass participation events are an incredibly important part of our events strategy, as they offer a timely reason for an engaged community of participants to travel to WA, creating vibrancy in the community, jobs for West Australians, and bringing people to our state to experience all we have to offer as a world-class tourism destination.”

“By growing WA’s reputation as a world-class host of events, we put the state in great stead to attract bigger and better events every year, which will continue to deliver economic returns for our tourism and hospitality sectors and the broader state,” Minister Whitby concluded.

With a proven track record of delivering high-quality sporting events, and a growing student sport network, Perth is poised to deliver two outstanding editions of UniSport Nationals that will live long in the memory of those who attend.

For media enquiries, please contact: marketing@unisport.com.au