Rainbow Cup is Australia's annual queer water polo competition, hosted each year by one of the country's LGBTQIA+ water polo clubs. In 2026, it's our turn — and we're making a proper weekend of it.
Rainbow Cup 2026 is the centrepiece of In the Pool, Poolside, On Deck — a leadership development program funded by City of Ryde and delivered through the tournament. Alongside the competition, the weekend creates structured development pathways for players stepping into leadership, volunteers training in refereeing and scoring, and emerging organisers managing a real event from the ground up. It's inclusive sport and community leadership happening at the same time.
The weekend
Friday: Pre-Cup Welcome Drinks
The weekend kicks off on Friday evening with welcome drinks for visiting clubs, Stingers members, and supporters. No ticket needed — you're invited. Venue and time coming soon.
Saturday: Rainbow Cup 2026
When: Saturday 3 October 2026
Where: Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre
Format: Round robin with finals — full day
Saturday Evening: Post-Cup Celebration
The right way to close out Rainbow Cup weekend. The post-tournament party brings together players, volunteers, and supporters from all four clubs. Details on venue and format coming soon.
Tickets
Visiting clubs purchase a ticket covering Rainbow Cup day and the post-tournament party. Friday welcome drinks are included as an open invitation — no ticket required.
Visiting club members: ticket package covers Rainbow Cup + post-tournament party. Pricing coming soon.
Stingers members: separate information on your participation is coming. Watch your inbox.
Community Competition Series participants: your Rainbow Cup spot is already included in your $100 registration. Post-tournament party ticket details to follow.
Spectators: Rainbow Cup spectator entry details coming soon.
About the leadership program
Rainbow Cup 2026 is built around three development tiers, funded by City of Ryde:
In the Pool — Players step up as team captains in live competition, mentored by senior athletes developing real leadership under pressure.
Poolside — Volunteers gain structured training and accreditation in refereeing and scoring, mentored by Water Polo NSW officials.
On Deck — Emerging leaders manage the planning, logistics, and community engagement of a real national tournament, supported by the Stingers executive team.
Volunteer
Rainbow Cup is our biggest hosted event of the year and we need a strong crew to deliver it well. Setup, registration, scoring, spectator management, and day-of coordination. head to our Get Involved page or contact the Secretary to register.