There’s no night in Australian athletics quite like it. The Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne returns to Lakeside Stadium on Saturday, 28 March 2026, with the world-class meet set to deliver another unforgettable showcase of global and homegrown talent, thanks to the support of the Victorian Government.
In just three editions, the Maurie Plant Meet has become more than a fixture on the Australian athletics calendar, it has become a phenomenon. Sell-out crowds of 10,000 have packed Lakeside Stadium to witness record-breaking performances, the best of the best under lights and the next generation of Australian athletes stepping onto the world stage.
As the only World Athletics Continental Tour Gold level meet in Oceania, Melbourne stands alongside the great athletics cities of the world. From the long jump runway to the 100m start line, the meet has delivered drama, speed and spectacle.
And, in 2026, it promises even more.
Australia’s fastest man Lachlan Kennedy stole the show in this year’s Peter Norman 200m when he held off teen sensation Gout Gout. Reflecting on the race and the meet, he said:
“The crowd here is insane, I’ve never run in Australia in front of a crowd like this before. They really fuelled me to keep going and hold off G-man.”
“Everyone feels so close to the track. You can really feel the pulse here. I’ve never seen anything like that for a domestic meet ever, it’s just insane.”
Named in honour of the late Maurie Plant, whose vision brought global stars to Australia and lifted Australian athletics to new heights, the meet continues to capture his spirit as more and more Australians enjoy the excitement of world-class athletics on home soil.
Australian Athletics CEO Simon Hollingsworth said the Victorian Government’s support was pivotal in securing the event’s Gold status, allowing athletes to chase top prize money vital world ranking points on home soil.
“World Athletics Continental Tour Gold status puts Melbourne in rare company, and it’s only possible because of the support of the Victorian Government and the Significant Sporting Events Program,” Hollingsworth said.
“The Maurie Plant Meet has already become one of the great nights of Australian athletics, and in 2026, we promise to once again bring the best of the best right here at Lakeside Stadium.”
Victorian Government Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said it’s exciting to welcome another edition of the world class Maurie Plant Meet to Australia’s sporting capital.
“We’re proud to support the star-studded night of track and field at the iconic Lakeside Stadium in the heart of Albert Park for another year. The Maurie Plant Meet strengthens Victoria’s diverse sporting calendar and we’re looking forward to seeing some of Australia’s best athletes taking on the world right here in Melbourne in 2026.”
Member for Albert Park Nina Taylor said “The Maurie Plant Meet will bring visitors from across the country and world to Albert Park – supporting our local workers and businesses.”
The Continental Tour Gold series is the top tier of the World Athletics Continental Tour, sitting just under the Diamond League in status and prestige. Each meet attracts the best athletes across the globe, with 14 meets offered in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas as well as Oceania.
The Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne will feature as one of four showcase meets within the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series. The remainder of the domestic season calendar will be announced in the coming weeks.
By Sascha Ryner, Australian Athletics
Posted: 7/10/2025
