The 33rd Annual Imparja Cup powered by DXC Technology will be held from Friday 20 to Tuesday 24 February in Mparntwe (Alice Springs).
The Imparja Cup has grown from a family game between Tennant Creek and Alice Springs into Australia’s largest Indigenous cricket carnival. Held on Arrernte land, the event has become a national celebration, each year drawing hundreds of Indigenous cricketers, coaches, match officials and volunteers from across the Territory and Australia to celebrate cricket, culture and community.
Across five days, teams will compete in the Major Centres, Men’s Community, Women’s Community and Schools Divisions, while the Schools Gala Day will again aim to create a new generation of young Indigenous cricketers who love and play the game.
Alice Springs Mayor Asta Hill:
“We’re delighted to welcome the 33rd Annual Imparja Cup to Mparntwe. This festival of cricket brings people of all ages and backgrounds together on Arrernte Country to celebrate sport, culture and community pride. It’s a chance to connect, to cheer each other on, and to enjoy the spirit of cricket in the heart of Australia. Alice Springs Town Council is proud to sponsor such an iconic and meaningful event.”
NT Cricket Head of Cricket Nick Winter:
“The Imparja Cup means a lot to so many people across the Territory and beyond. It’s a time for communities, family and friends to come together, to play, connect and share stories through cricket. As Australia’s largest Indigenous cricket event, our goal is to see it continue to grow and inspire the next generation.”
Register Your Team
The 2026 Imparja Cup Registration is free and now open to new and past teams from the Northern Territory and around Australia.
Teams wishing to nominate to play in the Imparja Cup are asked to complete the online form available through the link below:
👉 [Follow this link for a detailed explainer on team eligibility]
👉 [Eligibility exemption form here]
Match Officials
Umpires interested in officiating at the 2026 Imparja Cup are encouraged to submit an expression of interest via the Match Officials form below.
👉 [Register as a match official]
IMPARJA CUP HISTORY
The Imparja Cup is Australia’s biggest Indigenous cricket festival, originally founded by custodians, Shane Franey and Ross Williams, as a family match between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek in 1994.
The name Imparja comes from the Arrernte word Impatye, meaning tracks or footprints, honouring those who came before and creating pathways for the next generation.
The Imparja Cup has made a significant contribution to the history and story of indigenous cricket in Australia and was the event and foundation on which Cricket Australia created the National Indigenous Cricket Championships in 2016.
UPCOMING INDIGENOUS CRICKET CARNIVALS
- Barra Cup (Borroloola): 7–9 November 2025
- Nitmiluk Cup (Katherine): 28–30 November 2025
- Rossy Williams Shield (Tennant Creek): 6–8 February 2026
- Imparja Cup (Alice Springs): 20–24 February 2026