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 is our turn, and we are making a proper weekend of it.
Sydney Stingers is Sydney's only LGBTQIA+ inclusive water polo club, with 25 years of community-building behind us. Rainbow Cup is one of the highlights of the national queer water polo calendar, and we are proud to bring it to Sydney.
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 development pathways for players stepping into leadership, volunteers training in refereeing and scoring, and emerging organisers helping deliver a real event from the ground up.
It is 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 are invited. Venue and time coming soon.
Saturday: Rainbow Cup
When: Saturday 3 October 2026
Where: Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre
Format: Round robin with finals, full day
Four clubs. One day. Sydney Stingers as hosts, joined by Melbourne Tritons, Brisbane Surge, and Perth Whitepointers.
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. Venue and details coming soon.
Tickets
Visiting clubs will purchase a ticket covering Rainbow Cup day and the post-tournament party. Friday welcome drinks are included as an open invitation and do not require a ticket.
Visiting club members: ticket package covers Rainbow Cup and the post-tournament party. Pricing coming soon.
Stingers members: separate information on your participation is coming. Watch your inbox.
Play Ready participants: your Rainbow Cup spot is already included in your $90 registration. You will play as part of a Stingers team at the tournament.
Spectators: welcome to come and watch. 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 and 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 support planning, logistics, and community engagement for a real national tournament, with support from the Stingers Executive team.
Volunteer Rainbow Cup is our biggest hosted event of the year and we need a strong crew to deliver it. Roles include setup, registration, scoring, spectator management, team liaison, and day-of coordination.
Head to our Get Involved page or contact the Secretary to register.
Proudly funded by City of Ryde.