Sport
6 June, 2025
Five huge sporting events in town
MORE than 1700 athletes are expected to converge on Warrnambool this long weekend.
With five major sporting events planned for Warrnambool over the King’s Birthday weekend, the town is gearing up for an influx of visitors.
The Warrnambool Pickleball Open will run from Friday through until Sunday at the Caramut Road stadium.
This second annual, all-inclusive tournament will showcase some great talent across 22 pickleball courts.
The Warrnambool Yoga Festival will run all day Saturday and Sunday at the Emmanuel Centre in Botanic Road.
For BMX fans, the Coast to Crater Clash will take place at the Jetty Flat Reserve in Price Street from 11am until 4pm on Sunday.
Hosted by the Warrnambool BMX Club, this event looks set to attract riders from as young as two years old through to 50 years+ from all across Victoria and interstate.
Adding to the list of sporting events will be the Victorian Inflatable Rescue Boat Championships at the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club and the Warrnambool Swimming Club will host a two day short-course meet at Aquazone (with competition set to start at 12 noon Saturday and from 9.30am Sunday).
With the majority of participants travelling to Warrnambool specifically for these events, Warrnambool mayor Cr Ben Blain said that they would provide a boost for the local economy during the quieter winter period.
“It’s great to have Warrnambool so busy over the winter,” he said.
“As a coastal city, our peak season is of course during the summer, and that’s why events like these are so important during winter.
“They bring people to our city which is great news for local businesses, especially accommodation and hospitality, and they also provide locals with quality experiences.
“It really speaks to the heart of our events strategy, which is to look at ways we can make Warrnambool a thriving city for events and activities 12 months of the year.
“We are open all year round.”
Applications for funding via Council’s Festivals and Events Fund 2025/2026 are now open and close on June 29.
Cr Blain encouraged anyone considering hosting an event to read the guidelines to see if they are eligible for council support.
“If there are any other events that want to come to Warrnambool, whether it’s over summer, whether it’s over winter, please put in (for a grant) because council really wants to support you and make sure that fund is used to really add to the vibrancy of the city,” he said.
To find out more visit www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au and search Festivals and Events Fund.
