The countdown is officially on! In just one year, the Gold Coast will welcome a record-breaking 4,000 competitors from across Australasia, including the South Pacific and Vietnam, for the 20th Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games (APES) 2026.
Launched 15 October at Kurrawa, the biennial event will take place from 10-17 October 2026, featuring more than 70 sports and welcoming serving, retired, and volunteer personnel from Police and Emergency Service agencies across the region.
Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Chris Stream APM, senior police and emergency service officers, Gold Coast City Council Mayor Tom Tate and other dignitaries joined the launch to mark the one year milestone.
The Gold Coast will host a record 73 sports, including new additions such as five-on-five beach soccer, cornhole and kettlebell sports, while Toowoomba and Belmont will jointly hold the shooting events.
Games organiser and Queensland Police Service (QPS) Acting Senior Sergeant Rebecca Dale, who has competed at nearly every Games since 1991, said it would be the second time the Gold Coast has hosted the biennial event, and the fourth time in Queensland in its 41-year history.
"It's a significant achievement for The Gold Coast to host this major international event with a record number of competitors expected from not only Australia and New Zealand but from more than 14 countries throughout the South Pacific regions and Vietnam,'' Acting Senior Sergeant Dale said.
"This is a chance for our interstate and international police and emergency service colleagues to come together on the sports field at one of the biggest multi-sport events seen on the Gold Coast."
"The APES Games are for athletes of all ages, standards and commitment levels, including those who come for fun and friendship and those who take their sport more seriously,'' Acting Senior Sergeant Dale said.
Acting Senior Sergeant Dale said organisers were hoping to also break the record for the number of Queensland competitors at next year's APES Games.
"The APES Games are all about encouraging our police and emergency services officers to get fit and to get excited about coming to the Gold Coast to enjoy our sunshine and the region's many tourism attractions,'' Acting Senior Sergeant Dale said.
Registrations for the APES Games open for all eligible competitors across more than 70 sports on October 20.
For more information and to register visit: https://apandesgames.com.au/
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