Australian Athletics and NSW Athletics wish to advise that several events originally intended for Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre (SOPAC) in early 2026, including the Sydney Track Classic will be impacted by ongoing major track upgrades.
The updated project schedule, recently confirmed by the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA), indicates that completion and handover of the upgraded track is expected in late February 2026, subject to wet weather contingencies. This updated timeframe is beyond the control of both athletics organisations and necessitates adjustments to the competition calendar to ensure athlete safety and event quality.
Timing of these works had been scheduled to minimise disruption across the year, however interruptions are unavoidable during track replacement. While the revised timing of these works is unfortunate, Australian Athletics and NSW Athletics have proactively developed contingency plans to ensure no state events are cancelled. Several key state championship properties will proceed as planned at alternate venues including Campbelltown, Mingara, and the SOPAC Warm-Up Track and the track upgrades will be completed in time for the Australian Athletics Championships in April 2026.
Although the Sydney Track Classic will not be staged in 2026, Australian Athletics is currently liaising with other State Associations and venues to find an alternate solution, allowing athletes to still compete at a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze level meeting. Australian Athletics thank athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers for their patience on this.
Australian Athletics and NSW Athletics understand and share in the disappointment of this news, however the decision reflects their joint commitment to maintaining the integrity of competition as well as opportunities for all participants alike.
“The resurfacing of SOPAC is essential to preserving its world-class status,” said Christian Renford, CEO of NSW Athletics. “While the downtime due to the track upgrade is disappointing and presents clear challenges, our priority now is to protect athlete opportunities and uphold the standard of competition expected in NSW. Thanks to early contingency planning and support from our clubs, volunteers and partners, we can maintain momentum across our season and return to a fully upgraded SOPAC stronger than ever for the 2026/27 season.”
“The Sydney Track Classic has long been one of Australia’s most celebrated meets and while this year’s cancellation is unfortunate, the decision has been made with enough time for Australian Athletics to look at planning a new World Athletics Continental Tour meet, with equal status, prize money and points on offer,” said Simon Hollingsworth, Australian Athletics CEO.
“We look forward to returning to SOPAC this season for the Australian Athletics Championships in April and celebrating the pinnacle of Australian athletics with the NSW Athletics community.”
Both organisations continue to work closely with the Sydney Olympic Park Authority and venue management to provide further updates throughout the season and ensure the sport’s continued momentum in NSW.
Australian Athletics and NSW Athletics acknowledge the ongoing support of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority which has invested over $2.2 million in maintaining and upgrading SOPAC including a new video scoring screen, LED field lighting and grandstand seating.
A further $2.7 million investment by the NSW Government will deliver a resurfaced premium gel layered track, new discus and hammer throw cage throwing circles, sand traps, steeple cover and jump boards, which, once complete will elevate SOPAC to the top tier of sporting venues in Australia, establishing it as the nation’s leading facility for elite and community athletics and a prime destination for major events.
“The continued investment of the NSW Government in SOPAC underscores the State’s leadership in athletics event delivery,” Renford said. “These temporary adjustments will ensure that when we return to SOPAC, we do so to an upgraded facility worthy of the next generation of NSW and Australian champions.”
FAQs:
The NSW Combined, Region 5 Championships, 5000m and Masters Championships are most affected by the delay, as these occur before the revised track completion date.
The revised project timeline left the Sydney Track Classic scheduled just two days after the expected completion of resurfacing works at SOPAC. This introduced too much operational risk, with little allowance or flexibility should delays in the program occur. The decision, while difficult, was made early to ensure transparency, protect event quality and athlete preparation, and allow time to plan a suitable replacement competition opportunity.
| Event | Date | Original Venue | Revised Venue |
| NSW Combined Championships | 24–25 Jan | SOPAC | SOPAC Warm-Up Track |
| Region 5 Championships | 6–8 Feb | SOPAC | Mingara |
| NSW 5000m Championships | 14 Feb | SOPAC | SOPAC Warm-Up Track |
| NSW Masters Championships | 20–22 Feb | SOPAC | Campbelltown |
| Sydney Track Classic | 28 Feb | SOPAC | TBC |
| NSW Junior Championships | 12–15 Mar | SOPAC | SOPAC |
| NSW Open Championships | 19–22 Mar | SOPAC | SOPAC |
| NSW Little Athletics Championships | 21–22 Mar | SOPAC | SOPAC |
| Australian Open Championships | 9–12 Apr | SOPAC | SOPAC |
At this point in time, there is no reason for Australian Athletics and NSW Athletics to believe that the remaining NSW Championships and Australian Championships will be moved. NSW Athletics and Australian Athletics has modelled several contingency venues to ensure these events will be able to be run regardless of the venue and continue with minimal disruption.
Yes. It is Australian Athletics’ commitment to provide competition opportunities for its elite athletes. A replacement competition at the World Athletics Continental Tour bronze level will be announced in the following weeks. We thank athletes and coaches for their patience on this.
The other World Athletics certified tracks in Sydney are not suitable for the Sydney Track Classic due to the limitations of the venue. This includes throwing infrastructure and broadcast limitations required of a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meet.
Australian Athletics and NSW Athletics continue to work closely with the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA) to monitor progress and confirm milestone dates for the completion and certification of the track. Both organisations fully support the project’s successful delivery and are maintaining open communication with SOPA to ensure any potential delays are managed proactively.
By Australian Athletics and NSW Athletics
Posted: 11/11/2025
