# Koori Knockout rugby league tournament

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/koori-knockout-rugby-league-tournament
> Updated: 2026-10-18T18:00:00.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

The Wiradjuri Aboriginal Rivers (WAR) club won the Koori Knockout rugby league grand final by defeating the Bourke Warriors. The tournament is a major cultural event that draws up to 50,000 people and provides economic benefits to its host region. Ben Gunn of WAR expressed the club’s responsibility to act as “caretakers” for the event in the following year.

Following the 2026 tournament held in Raymond Terrace, regional cities in New South Wales have begun competing for the rights to host the 2027 Koori Knockout. The decision regarding the next location rests with the men’s champions, Wiradjuri Aboriginal Rivers. Contenders for the 2027 carnival include Orange, with local officials advocating for the city’s capacity to host the competition.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-18: Regional NSW cities compete to host 2027 Koori Knockout

Regional New South Wales cities are vying to host the 2027 Koori Knockout rugby league tournament, with decision-making power held by the 2026 champions, Wiradjuri Aboriginal Rivers.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/regional-nsw-cities-compete-to-host-2027-koori-knockout

### 2026-10-04: Wiradjuri Aboriginal Rivers wins Koori Knockout rugby league title

Wiradjuri Aboriginal Rivers (WAR) won the Koori Knockout rugby league grand final against the Bourke Warriors, highlighting the event's growing cultural and economic importance.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wellington-aboriginal-rugby-league-club-advances-in-koori-knockout

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Cite as: Koori Knockout rugby league tournament. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/koori-knockout-rugby-league-tournament