The Pink Ribbon Gala Day will return in 2026, once again uniting the football community for a cause that stretches far beyond the pitch. Co-hosted by Football St George and Peakhurst United FC, the now-annual event has become one of the most meaningful fixtures on the football calendar, a day where players, families, supporters and clubs come together to honour the women in their lives and raise funds for breast and gynaecological cancer research and support services.

After the success of the 2025 edition, which saw 24 teams compete and the event surpass previous fundraising totals, the spirit and momentum behind the Gala Day has only strengthened. Over the years, the initiative has raised more than $60,000 to support the Cancer Council NSW and community health programs across the region. But the heart of the event has always been its personal meaning to those who take part.

“Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way, a mother, a partner, a teammate, a friend,” said Leanne Smith of Peakhurst United, one of the key organisers and long-time driving forces behind the Gala Day. “This isn’t just football. It’s a day of solidarity. When people arrive at Peakhurst Park and see a sea of pink socks and smiling faces, you feel the power of what community can do when we stand together.”

The 2026 Pink Ribbon Gala Day will once again be played at Peakhurst Park Synthetic Field on Saturday 7 March, running from 2:00pm into the evening, providing a festival-style atmosphere with matches, music, food, raffles, entertainment and opportunities to contribute to fundraising throughout the day. Team entry remains accessible, a $200 registration that includes a set of pink socks, with all-age women’s teams across the St George region encouraged to register early, as team spots will be capped once again.

New in 2026 will be the introduction of a Junior Girls Competition (U10s-U16s), held throughout the morning on both the Synthetic Field and Peakhurst Park’s grass field. This addition reflects the growing participation and passion among young girls in the game and reinforces the Gala Day’s message of empowerment across generations. This junior component will be open exclusively to St George-based clubs due to capacity considerations, ensuring a community-centred experience that connects our senior players with the next wave of future footballers.

The 2025 edition produced memorable football, highlighted by a spirited grand final where YAPAYAPA from Hurstville Glory FC were crowned champions. But the true triumph came from the unity on display: rival clubs sharing cheering sections, families lining the fences, and teams supporting one another both on and off the field.

Football St George CEO Gary Lockwood says the Gala Day represents the best of what community sport stands for.

“Football has an incredible ability to bring people together, and the Pink Ribbon Gala Day is one of the clearest expressions of that,” Lockwood said. “It shows that our community is about more than competition, it’s about care, connection and standing up for something bigger than ourselves. Every club, every player, every supporter who participates is helping create real impact.”

As planning begins for the 2026 event, clubs are encouraged to rally early: organise teams, lock in players, begin fundraising drives and embrace the pink spirit. Supporters and families are encouraged to attend, even if they’re not playing, because showing up matters.

Smith says that above all, the day is about honouring and uplifting one another.

“We laugh, we compete, we hug, we shed a few tears, but what makes the Pink Ribbon Gala Day special is that we walk away feeling stronger than when we arrived,” she said. “We do this for the women who are fighting, the women we’ve lost, and the women and girls growing up in our clubs today. When we pull on those pink socks, we’re playing for all of them.”

Registrations for the 2026 Pink Ribbon Gala Day are now open:

All Age Women Pink Ribbon Gala Day Registration Link 2026

Junior Girls Pink Ribbon Gala Day Registration Link 2026

 

This is football with purpose.

This is community at its finest.

This is St George standing together.

 

-ENDS-

Written by: Doron Pozniak