Key Points
- Who's playing in the Knockout
- What programs are airing on NITV
- How you can get involved
The Koori Knockout has grown to become one of the most significant events for First Nations people, often described as a modern day corroboree.
It's where intergenerational stories are retold, family lines reunite, and new heroes rise in front of tens of thousands of spectators.
In 2025, the Knockout is being hosted by Walgett Aboriginal Connection (WAC) at the Riverside Sporting Complex in Tamworth, Gomeroi Country.
The October long weekend will once again bring together more than 100 teams and an audience that rivals major national sporting events.
The Koori Knockout is a powerful expression of Aboriginal identity, resilience, and pride.
It provides a rare large-scale space for mob from all over to come together and celebrate culture, often including traditional dances, music, language, and ceremony alongside the sport.
It’s community-run and community-led, emphasising self-determination. Many teams are formed around extended families, local communities, or towns, giving young players a chance to shine and be supported.
Teams from across New South Wales (and Indigenous communities) field men’s, women’s and junior sides.
Each year various elite Indigenous rugby league players take part in the Knockout.
Many elite Indigenous rugby league players return to play for community teams and the tournament gives rising stars a platform to show off their skills.
Six young Indigenous men (Uncle Victor Wright, Bob Smith, Bob Morgan, Bill Kennedy, Danny Rose and the late George Jackson) formed the idea of a statewide all-Aboriginal football carnivall at Redfern’s Clifton Hotel in the 1960s.
The Koori Knockout was first played at Camdenville Oval in Sydney back in1971 across the October long weekend.
Seven teams from across the state gathered to showcase First Nations culture and sporting talent, laying the foundation for what is acknowledged today as the largest annual gathering for Aboriginal people in Australia.
Entry to the Koori Knockout in Tamworth is paid for at the gate, with full weekend passes and/or day passes are available for purchase.
Teams can purchase weekend passes for their squads at the official men's draw on Thursday night.
NITV News will be broadcasting for the men's draw of the Koori Knockout on Thursday, 2 October at 6:30pm NITV and on SBS demand.
NITV News’ Nula will broadcast live from the Koori Knockout on Friday, 3 October at 3pm on SBS and 5.30pm on NITV.
- Thursday 2 October at 7:30pm: Koori Knockout 2025 Men’s Draw from Tamworth Capitol Theatre available on NITV FACEBOOK LIVE and SBS On Demand..
- Friday 3 and Saturday 4 October: Results from the day will be published on NITV online.
- Sunday 5 October from 9am: Koori Knockout 2025 men’s and women’s matches live from Tamworth Riverside Sporting Complex on NITV and SBS On Demand.
- Monday 6 October from 9am: Koori Knockout 2025 men’s, women’s and junior’s finals live from Tamworth Riverside Sporting Complex on NITV and SBS On Demand.
- SBS On Demand will replay match highlights on Sunday and Monday.
- Highlights packages across all NITV digital and social platforms across the entire weekend
- Bespoke community coverage and stories across all NITV digital and social platforms across the entire weekend
- Select individual match replays and highlights will be available to stream for free on SBS On Demand and NITV’s YouTube page after broadcast.
