World Walking Football Championships Arrive in Bowen Hills
Perry Park in Bowen Hills will host the 2026 IWFF Walking Football World Championships from 28 to 31 May. This marks the first time the tournament has been held in the Southern Hemisphere, according to Brisbane Roar Media. The event brings together national teams from across the globe to compete in men’s and women’s age categories ranging from the over-40s through to the over-75s.
The sport is designed for players aged 40 and above, stripping the game back to skill, positioning, and teamwork. The only difference from the version most people grew up with is a simple rule: you walk, you do not run. This single adjustment has allowed thousands to stay connected to football well beyond their playing days.
Australian Walkaroos Play on Home Soil
Australia’s national team, the Walkaroos, will take the field on home turf backed by a passionate local football community. The squad arrives with momentum from the 2024 World Championships in Chesterfield, England. There, the Walkaroos’ 50s Women claimed silver in their division, while Paul Brown was named Player of the Tournament in the men’s 50s.
For Brisbane Roar supporters, Perry Park holds a special place as a venue that has staged cup matches and women’s home games throughout the club’s history. The ground has been home to football in Brisbane since 1967, hosting everything from National Soccer League matches to NPL Queensland finals.
Festival Football Runs Side by Side
In a first for international walking football, the IWFF World Championships will run side by side with the Football Queensland Walking Football Festival. These grassroots matches will take place on warm-up fields at the venue alongside the world-class international competition. Fans and participants alike can take in both tiers of the game across the same four days.
The tournament highlights the growth of walking football as one of the fastest-growing forms of the game anywhere in the world. It offers a genuine love of the game for those who may have missed out on competitive play in their younger years. The event aims to showcase the sport to a worldwide audience while celebrating the local community that has supported the venue for decades.
How to Support the Walkaroos
All football fans are encouraged to come down to Perry Park to support the Walkaroos as they chase glory. The event serves as a celebration of the sport’s ability to keep players active and engaged well into their later years. For more information on the schedule and ticketing, fans can visit walkingfootballaustralia.com.
The upcoming matches promise to be a significant moment for inner-city Brisbane, bringing international attention to a local landmark. Perry Park will once again prove it is a ground that lives and breathes football, now welcoming a new generation of players to its pitches.
