Brisbane Aquatic Centre to host Aus Open and Aus Age Champs

Swimming Australia has confirmed the Brisbane Aquatic Centre as the host venue for the 2027 and 2029 Australian Age and MC Age Championships and the Australian Open, the largest event on Australia’s annual swimming calendar.

The window starts with some of Australia’s biggest names taking to the water for the Australian Open from 12 to 14 April with one of the final major hit-outs before Trials later in May.

From 16 to 23 April the country’s best age group swimmers will descend on Brisbane for the Australian Age Championships, and across eight days of racing the age group national champions will be determined alongside a showcase of emerging talent on the path to Brisbane 2032.

Finally, the Australian Age Multi-Class Championships will follow, held over three days from 23 to 25 April.

With a 13-lane warm-up pool, indoor 25m learn-to-swim pool and utility pool, the Brisbane Aquatic Centre provides the space and facilities required for an event of this scale, supporting appropriate preparation for both able-bodied and multi-class swimmers.

Swimming Australia CEO Rob Woodhouse said the venue was well equipped to deliver a national event of this significance.

“The Brisbane Aquatic Centre gives us the space we need to execute this event to the standard expected of a national championship, and we are thankful to the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and the Brisbane Economic Development Agency for their support,” Mr Woodhouse said.

“This is not only our biggest event of the year, but also one of our most important on the path to Brisbane 2032 for our age group swimmers. This year we saw 18 Australian Age records broken and athletes such as Sienna Toohey and Henry Allan emerge on the international stage. We look forward to seeing the next generation of future stars continue to shine.”

Delivered across two weeks, the events will feature approximately 3,000 competitors from more than 200 swimming clubs across Australia, delivering more than $15 million of economic benefits and 70,000 visitor nights to Brisbane.

These events will be supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland and the Brisbane City Council, through the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, long-time supporters of swimming, Australia’s largest participation sport.

Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation, Andrew Powell said securing the swimming championships reinforced Queensland’s reputation as Australia’s events capital.

“Major events deliver major benefits for Queensland, which is why we’re proud to secure Australia’s biggest swimming event for Brisbane in both 2027 and 2029,” Minister Powell said.

“Thousands of competitors and supporters will travel to Queensland, filling hotel rooms, backing local businesses and injecting millions into our economy.

“Queensland has a proven track record of hosting major sporting events, and these championships will further strengthen our standing as Australia’s premier destination for major events as we build towards Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said securing the 2027 and 2029 championships reinforced Brisbane’s reputation as a leading destination for major sporting events.

“Brisbane is proud to welcome Australia’s biggest swimming event to the Brisbane Aquatic Centre,” Cr Schrinner said.

“These events will bring around 3,000 competitors from more than 200 clubs to our city, generating 70,000 visitor nights and more than $15 million for Brisbane’s economy. That means more guests in our hotels, more customers for local businesses and more jobs supported across Brisbane.

“Hosting Australia’s emerging and elite swimmers also builds momentum towards Brisbane 2032 and gives the next generation the chance to compete on a major national stage.”