North Sydney Oval - Where the magic happens
While Brisbane hosts Magic Round, the Beer Footy & Food Festival will deliver Sydney fans two days of rugby league, craft beer and festival atmosphere at historic North Sydney Oval.
Featuring:
The Beer Mile – A World Record Attempt
The crowd-favourite Beer Mile returns after making its debut at last year’s festival, where more than 5,500 fans packed the hill at North Sydney Oval to witness what is believed to be the second-largest crowd ever to watch a Beer Mile race anywhere in the world. Join us as we aim to smash the current record crowd of 6,200 and set a new world benchmark for the Beer Mile!
The Reggies
Making its debut in 2026 is The Reggies, a dedicated fan section inspired by legendary rugby league character Reg Regan. Think the Ritchies — but with less style and a lot more hair.
Fans can purchase a special Reggies Ticket, which includes the obligatory black mullet wig, fake moustache and “Bring Back the Biff” t-shirt, transforming the iconic ground into what organisers hope will become a full-blown mullet army of old-school rugby league fans.
Food, Anyone?
The festival is expanding into neighbouring St Leonards Park this year with the introduction of the Billy “Eats” Moore Food Precinct. The precinct will become the festival’s central hub, where fans can enjoy great food and drinks with entertainment for days.
Oh… and Yep, There’ll Be Some Footy Too
Amongst all the beer, food and festival antics, there will also be two full days of top-flight rugby league.
Saturday – May 16
Game 1 – Penrith Panthers v Western Suburbs Magpies Game 2 – Newcastle Knights v Newtown Jets Main Game – North Sydney Bears v Sydney Roosters
Sunday – May 17
Game 1 – South Sydney Rabbitohs v Manly Sea Eagles Game 2 – New Zealand Warriors v Melbourne Storm Game 3 – St George Illawarra Dragons v Parramatta Eels
Fans can enjoy the games the way footy was meant to be watched — from the hill, with a cold beer in hand and something good to eat.
Henson Park - Where it all started.
The festival then returns to its spiritual home Henson Park, celebrating 10 years of the Beer Footy & Food Festival on the hill.
It was here a decade ago that the idea first came to life — bringing together craft beer, great food and suburban rugby league to create the kind of day out that feels like a throwback to the golden era of the game.
Few grounds capture that feeling quite like Henson Park. Walk through the gates and it feels like stepping back in time — fans spread across the hill, kids kicking footies between the trees and the unmistakable buzz of a crowd enjoying a proper day at the footy.
But as always with the Beer Footy & Food Festival, the entertainment doesn’t stop when the whistle blows.
Returning favourites Pro Wrestling Australia (PWA) will once again bring their larger-than-life ringside action to the hill, while the now-infamous Streaker Bullrush returns — the festival’s most ridiculous and hilarious spectacle, where brave (or questionable) volunteers attempt to sprint across the field while avoiding a pursuing pack of security guards.
This year’s main game will see the Newtown Jets take on the Newcastle Knights, adding another chapter to the Jets’ proud history at the ground they’ve called home since 1936.
With a huge lineup of craft brewers, street food vendors, DJs, family activities and thousands of fans expected on the hill, the 10-year celebration at Henson Park promises to be the biggest and most entertaining edition yet.
After all, when it comes to beer, footy and a proper day on the hill — Henson Park is where the Beer Footy & Food Festival began.
More than just footy
In the era of big stadia, the Beer Footy & Food Festival is a step back in time to when going to the footy was a weekly ritual to look forward to, a day out for family and friends to sit on the hill, to throw the footy around at half time and to watch a bit of footy every now and again.
The Beer Footy and Food Festival is more than just an epic day out, it's a way of life! Bringing together footy fans, beer enthusiasts and foodies for a shared experience. Each event boasts a curated selection of local craft breweries showcasing their finest brews and a range of gourmet food stalls to tantalize your tastebuds…plus plenty of other surprises along the way!
