Fans invited: AFL clubs train on Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said having elite sports teams choose the Sunshine Coast as a training location demonstrated the breadth of facilities available in the region.

“When dual Premiership-winning teams like the Brisbane Lions choose to come and train on the Sunshine Coast, it tells you that our spaces, our environment, our weather and our people are an attractive mix," Mayor Natoli said.

“When that is in addition to another three AFL clubs, it is proof that what we offer here is something our region should be rightly proud of.”

Train, Play, Stay Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast Strong Community Portfolio Councillor Taylor Bunnag said our region continued to prove it was the perfect destination for elite sporting clubs.

“Having four AFL teams return for pre-season training highlights the quality of our facilities and the incredible lifestyle the Sunshine Coast offers,” Cr Bunnag said.

“It’s a fantastic showcase of what we can deliver for professional sport.

“The combination of facilities and venues like the Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex and our unbeatable climate makes the Sunshine Coast a standout choice for high-performance camps.”

Bring your family, grab your club colours

North Melbourne will be first to arrive on Sunday, 14 December, 2025 hosting an open training session from 9.30am to 12pm. Fans can watch the team prepare for the upcoming season and get a glimpse of their game-day intensity. Plus, hear from players and join them for a kick to kick on-field and you can admire the 2025 AFLW Premiership Cup.

St Kilda follows in the new year (2026) with a session on Wednesday, 21 January, running from 10am to 12.30pm. This is a great opportunity for Saints supporters to see their heroes up close and enjoy the summer atmosphere.

The Western Bulldogs will be heading to the Sunshine Coast for their training camp from 30 January to 5 February, 2026.

Brisbane Lions returns and fans can watch on Friday, 30 January, training from 8:30am to 11:30am. The Lions will also host community activation's on other fields until 1 pm, giving fans even more chances to connect with the club and their premiership winning players.

Lions GM Football, Danny Daly said the team was looking forward to getting back to the Sunshine Coast for the third year in a row. 

“The elite facilities, weather and beaches all add up to making it a great few days. The players really enjoy getting amongst the community and visiting local footy clubs,” Mr Daly said.

Join us for an unforgettable summer of footy

Sunshine Coast Division 7 Councillor Ted Hungerford said the AFL community loved welcoming these AFL clubs back.

“Local fans get the chance to see some of the best players in the game right here in our backyard, and that’s something really special - we all appreciate that the teams chose the Sunshine Coast,” Cr Hungerford said.

“These camps bring excitement and inspiration for our budding young AFL enthusiasts, and we’re proud to help facilitate these elite training camps and connections through our community.”

These sessions are free to attend and offer a unique chance for locals and visitors to experience AFL action on the Sunshine Coast.

With over 80 direct flights to Sunshine Coast Airport from Melbourne and Sydney every week, this is a great excuse for fans to fly up and find their sunshine moment, and support their club! Travelling visitors can also check for accommodation and attraction deals at visitsunshinecoast.com/deals.

Image credits: Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs
Images from 2025 training camps