Auslan

Celebrating the Australian Deaf Games 2026

From 4 to 11 July, over 1,300 Deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes, officials, and supporters from all around Australia and neighboring Pacific nations gathered on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast for the 2026 Australian Deaf Games.

Featuring up to 20 sports – including basketball, swimming, touch football, netball, soccer, surfing, and beach volleyball – the Games are Australia’s premier multi-sport celebration for the Deaf community.

If you have never experienced a Deaf sporting event before, you might wonder how it differs from standard sporting competitions.

• Visual Signals instead of Whistles and Horns: In hearing sports, referees rely heavily on whistles, starter pistols, or sirens. At the Deaf Games, officials use visual cues, such as flashing lights, waving flags, and clear hand signals – so all competitors react fairly and simultaneously.
• A Shared Language (Auslan): While competitors came from different states and regions, Australian Sign Language connected everyone. From team huddles to stadium announcements, communication was visual, accessible, and inclusive.
• An Equal Playing Field: In everyday life or mainstream sports, Deaf athletes often have to work extra hard to navigate communication barriers. The Australian Deaf Games offer a barrier-free space where athletes can compete on an equal footing without needing to interpret spoken instructions on the fly.
• More Than Just a Sport: The Games are a massive cultural festival celebrating Deaf identity, history, and community pride. Alongside sports, the event hosted the Deaf Community Expo, Auslan Storytimes, and historical exhibitions showcasing a century of Deaf sports in Australia. 

Did You Know?  The Australian Deaf Games have a rich history spanning decades, providing a pathway for athletes to qualify for the Deaflympics – one of the world’s oldest international multi-sport events!

Dianne Herrmann

Auslan teach