GIANTS Netball return to Wagga Wagga in 2025

Council endorsed the General Manager or their delegate to enter into an agreement with GIANTS Netball to host a pre-season match at Wagga Wagga Multi-Purpose Stadium in 2025.

A date is yet to be confirmed, but it’s anticipated the pre-season match will take place in February or March at the Wagga Wagga Multi-Purpose Stadium.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout welcomed the approach by GIANTS Netball to play the pre-season game in Wagga Wagga.

“We’re excited to be hosting the team for the second year in a row,” Cr Tout said.

“It’s a great opportunity for netball players and fans from Wagga Wagga and the surrounding region to see women’s netball at its best without having to pay for the accommodation and travel expenses.

“We know from the success of the GIANTS’ pre-season match against the Melbourne Mavericks back in March this year that there’s strong support for the sport in our region.

“General admission tickets to that game sold out in just under half-an-hour, and we put in extra seating so we could offer an additional 500 tickets to the general public.

“There are such important social benefits of bringing this level of women’s sporting competition to Wagga Wagga, where more traditionally it has been elite men’s competitions such as the Canberra Raiders and ACT Brumbies.”

The GIANTS’ pre-season game would be part of a regional tour with other games to be played within Regional NSW.

Executive General Manager GIANTS Netball Tim Underwood said the team was thrilled to announce its return to the Wagga Wagga region for a pre-season game in 2025.

“The support we received during our last visit was truly overwhelming, and we can’t wait to reconnect with the community,” Mr Underwood said.

“Wagga Wagga has a vibrant netball culture, and it’s important for us to engage with our fans beyond the major cities. This pre-season game is an opportunity to inspire the next generation of players and showcase our talent.

“We look forward to bringing the excitement of GIANTS Netball to Wagga Wagga.”

Council continues to have discussions with a wide variety of different sporting groups and different sporting codes around potentially bringing content to the city.

Manager City Growth & Regional Assets Ben Creighton believes it’s important to continue to have elite level sporting teams to the city, which has a great sporting background and sporting history.

“I know the GIANTS were really happy with the stadium and the other activities around it when they visited back in March,” Mr Creighton said.

“But it's not just the actual event itself. It's all the other things that come with that; it’s the training camps, it's the school visits, it's all the community development work that the GIANTS do here in town as well, which is really important.”

At this stage, Council anticipates there will be seating for approximately 1000 people at the Multi-Purpose Stadium for next year’s event, with 900 of those spots to be set aside for general public tickets.