The 2026 Victoria Police and Emergency Services Games will feature basketball, badminton, and other competitions at the City of Ballarat Sporting Hub next month, organisers announced on Tuesday at Selkirk Stadium. The 45th edition of the multi-year statewide event brings together roughly 40 sports across 24 emergency service agencies, drawing competitors ranging in age from 18 to over 80.
Venues at Selkirk Stadium and Ken Kay Badminton Stadium
The City of Ballarat Sporting Hub splits competition venues between Selkirk Stadium and the Ken Kay Badminton Stadium. Basketball and dodgeball will take place at Selkirk Stadium, while badminton and pickleball are scheduled at the Ken Kay venue. The selection brings the statewide games into regional Victoria rather than confining the matches solely to Melbourne, a joint effort coordinated alongside the Victoria Police Games Federation.
“Ballarat has a proud sporting culture, outstanding facilities and a strong sense of community,” Victoria Police Games Federation committee member Nick Sorich said.
Emergency Service Branches Build Connections Through Athletic Events
The week-long competition serves as more than just a series of athletic events, according to event organizers who emphasize its role in building connections across different emergency service branches. National Heavy Vehicle Regulator safety compliance officers Corey Williams, 24, and Georgia Forth, 26, are among the registered participants gearing up for the November events.
“I think it’s great for all these agencies to get together,” Williams said. “Everyone’s got the same motive here, working for the community, so it’s good for everyone to get together and do this.”
Organisers note that registration remains open for personnel of varying skill levels, welcoming social competitors alongside experienced athletes.
“Whether you’re an experienced competitor, a social player or someone who has never considered entering before, there is an opportunity for you,” Sorich said. “Help us make the 2026 games a celebration of everything that makes our emergency service community so special.”
Dates for the 2026 Competition
The 2026 Victoria Police and Emergency Services Games run from November 15 to November 22.
