The Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby is officially underway in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, bringing international sporting talent and community events to the region between 4 and 12 April 2026. This week-long celebration of the sport features international exhibition matches, headlined by the Australia Under 20s team as they prepare for upcoming global championships.
The festival is a collaborative effort delivered by NSW Rugby in partnership with the City of Coffs Harbour and the Mid North Coast Rugby Union. Now in its second year of a three-year agreement, the event aims to boost local tourism and showcase the region as a premier destination for elite sporting camps. International teams, including the Japan Under 23 squad, are already in the area training for their matches.
Australia Under 20s Head Coach Chris Whitaker has selected a 32-man squad for the camp, which includes Queensland Reds prospect Treyvon Pritchard. The squad is using this time to build connections on and off the field before competing in the Under 20 Rugby Championship in South Africa and the World Rugby Junior World Championship in Georgia later this year.
Matches are scheduled across three locations, starting in Grafton on 4 April, moving to Kempsey on 8 April, and concluding with a headline event at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium on 11 April. Japan Under 23 head coach Eddie Jones noted the value of the festival, stating that playing in regional Australia with strong opposition and local support provides an ideal environment for player development.
Beyond the competition on the field, the festival includes various Rugby For Good social impact initiatives. These programs focus on community support, including Rugby In The Park for homelessness, the Kickstart youth justice program, and the Get Talkin’ mental health initiative. The event is expected to provide significant economic and tourism benefits for the Coffs Coast, Kempsey, and Clarence Valley regions.
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