Thousands to flood Junee, Wagga for mega weekend of footy

THE Riverina is gearing up for a rugby league takeover unlike anything seen in recent years.

Thousands of players, officials, family members and fans will descend on Junee and Wagga for a blockbuster weekend of footy on Saturday and Sunday, August 1-2, as the Riverina Schoolboys Football Carnival coincides with the NRLW Magic Round.

Now in its 81st year, the Riverina Schoolboys Football Carnival will once again transform Junee into the heart of country rugby league, bringing almost 2,000 junior players and thousands more parents, coaches, officials and supporters to town on Saturday, August 1.

2025 Riverina Schoolboys Football Carnival | © The Junee Bulletin

2025 Riverina Schoolboys Football Carnival | © The Junee Bulletin

At the same time, just 40 kilometres away, Wagga will host the 2026 NRLW Magic Round, with all 12 National Rugby League Women’s teams converging on Geohex Park to contest six premiership matches across the weekend, alongside live entertainment, fan activations and family-friendly festival activities.

Organisers expect thousands more visitors from across New South Wales and beyond, with ticket sales already running ahead of previous years.

For many travelling families, the close proximity of the two major rugby league events presents the opportunity to enjoy a full weekend of rugby league across the region.

The rare convergence of the two events is expected to provide a significant economic boost across the Riverina, with accommodation providers, cafes, restaurants, pubs, service stations and retailers all poised to benefit from the influx of visitors.

A carnival like no other

For Junee, however, the spotlight once again falls on a carnival that has become one of the town’s proudest traditions.

Widely regarded as one of the largest junior rugby league carnivals in Australia, the Riverina Schoolboys Football Carnival has been showcasing the region’s best young talent for more than eight decades.

2025 Riverina Schoolboys Football Carnival | © The Junee Bulletin

2025 Riverina Schoolboys Football Carnival | © The Junee Bulletin

For many Riverina families, attending the carnival has become an annual tradition spanning multiple generations.

Last year’s milestone 80th anniversary carnival attracted more than 1,900 players from 155 teams.

With families, officials, ground volunteers and spectators in tow, the crowd swelled to an estimated 5,000 people, effectively doubling Junee’s resident population.

More than 230 matches, officiated by close to 70 referees, were played across 18 fields at Laurie Daley Oval, Burns Park, Loftus Oval and the Junee Showground, transforming the town into a sea of football jerseys from sunrise until late afternoon.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Carnival secretary Maree Allamby said organisers were expecting another huge turnout this year, after entries gathered momentum in recent weeks.

“I can confirm we have 150 teams nominated for this year’s carnival,” she said.

“The carnival is well supported by teams from our local area, as well as teams from Cowra, Canberra, Leeton and Griffith.

“Nominations started slowly but have reached a number we are happy with.”

The carnival’s origins date back to 1943, when just six teams competed in the inaugural event.

From those humble beginnings, the event grew to become the largest junior rugby league carnival of its kind in the world, peaking at 242 teams in 1969 before evolving into today’s round-robin format.

Generations of Riverina rugby league players have run onto Junee’s fields, with many later progressing to representative honours and professional careers.

While younger age groups collect participation certificates, older players compete for coveted pennants, long considered a prized achievement in country rugby league.

2025 Riverina Schoolboys Football Carnival | © The Junee Bulletin

2025 Riverina Schoolboys Football Carnival | © The Junee Bulletin

Staging the carnival is a massive logistical undertaking, requiring an army of volunteers, dozens of referees and months of planning long before the first whistle is blown.

Canteens across the precinct will again be staffed by local sporting and community groups, helping feed thousands of players, officials and spectators throughout the day.

With the countdown now on, Mrs Allamby said final preparations were well underway to ensure the precinct was ready to welcome the influx of teams and supporters.

“The grounds are a credit to Junee Shire Council, which has them in top condition for the carnival, and every week for user groups,” Mrs Allamby said.

“NSW Corrective Services are also assisting with line marking and getting all the goal posts into position.”

2025 Riverina Schoolboys Football Carnival | © The Junee Bulletin

New South Wales Rugby League will again support the carnival, donating two tickets to this year’s NRL Grand Final to be raffled off on the day.

“We will also have eight NSWRL personnel in attendance on the day, as well as Tim Bailey, our NRL referee coordinator,” Mrs Allamby said.

Last year, the governing body donated a signed State of Origin jersey, won by the Gundagai-Adelong Under 13s.

A custom fire bucket donated by MPF Engineering, along with a $250 Junee IGA voucher redeemable at Junee IGA or Broadway Builder Supplies, will also be raffled on the day.

Images: Supplied

Despite the huge program and crowd, last year’s carnival recorded only three player injuries, with two requiring hospital treatment.

Organisers have further strengthened medical coverage this year by arranging for a doctor to be on site throughout the carnival.

“Hopefully they won’t be needed,” Mrs Allamby said.

2025 Riverina Schoolboys Football Carnival | © The Junee Bulletin

2025 Riverina Schoolboys Football Carnival | © The Junee Bulletin

While the action on the field remains the main attraction, the carnival’s importance extends well beyond rugby league.

It has become one of Junee’s most important economic weekends of the year, with cafes, takeaway shops, supermarkets, pubs, fuel stations and accommodation providers all benefiting from the thousands of people passing through town.

This year, that economic impact is expected to be amplified by the nearby NRLW Magic Round in Wagga.

NRLW Magic Round

Hosted at Geohex Park, the two-day festival will feature every NRLW club in action, with six premiership games scheduled across the weekend.

More than 400 players, coaches and officials are expected to converge on Wagga for the event, alongside thousands of supporters.

Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga | Image: Facebook/Wagga Brothers Rugby League Club

Manager of Wagga Leisure and Strategic Recreation Marc Geppert said the city was preparing for one of its biggest sporting weekends in recent years, with Geohex Park set to be “buzzing” with live music, children’s entertainment, food vendors and festival fun for the whole family.

“We are anticipating huge crowds.”

The event forms part of the NSW Government’s strategy to bring major sporting events to regional centres, with visitors encouraged to explore the wider Riverina while in town.

2025 NRLW Magic Round in Newcastle | Image: Supplied

“This is a great opportunity for people living in regional NSW to come to Wagga and watch their favourite team in action,” Mr Geppert said.

“It’s your only chance this season to experience every NRLW game of the round in person over one spectacular weekend of footy and fun.”

One-day and two-day passes remain available, with matches kicking off at 11.35am on both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available through Ticketek.

From future Riverina stars taking their first steps in the game to Australia’s elite female players lighting up the NRLW stage, the first weekend of August promises to showcase rugby league at every level.

For Junee, it is another opportunity to showcase not only one of Australia’s great grassroots sporting carnivals, but also the community spirit and hospitality that have made the event a cherished Riverina tradition for more than eight decades.