Countdown to 2026! THINK Road Safety SA Country Football Championships is on
The 2026 THINK! Road Safety SA Country Football Championships kick off this weekend in the Barossa. Picture - Ash Rayson
THINK! Road Safety advice
- Stick to the speed limit
- Take a break every two hours
- Make sure everyone in the car wears their seatbelt
- Don’t drive distracted – keep your focus on the road
- Plan ahead as the roads may be busy, be patient and courteous to other road users
- Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Be mindful of your license conditions – if you are on your P’s ensure you comply with the relevant rules
8 July 2026
The countdown is on for one of the largest annual regional sporting events – the 2026 THINK! Road Safety SA Country Football Championships, to be staged this weekend at the state-of-the-art Barossa Park at Lyndoch.
More than 250 of the State’s best country footballers, together with 200-plus officials from regional leagues across the State, will descend on the Barossa region from this Friday to represent their zone in matches at Barossa Park.
A feature of the event, supported by The Barossa Council, also will be the Round 14 Hostplus SANFL League regional match between Central District and South Adelaide on Saturday afternoon in the heart of the Doggies’ regional zone.
For the second year, the action kicks off on Friday night under lights with a Round 1 men’s and women’s triple-header from 6pm.
The championships will see representative teams from six regional zones – Central, Eastern, Eyre Peninsula, South East, Northern and Southern Districts – compete across the weekend.
The South East Zone will be looking to claim back-to-back men’s championships, whilst the Eastern women’s squad will be aiming for their third championship in a row.
At the conclusion of the event, the prestigious women’s and men’s Team of the Championships will be announced, with the women’s Team of the Championships set to play against the Adelaide Footy League Team of the Year in August.
The men’s SA Country state team will also be finalised next week ahead of the annual clash against WA Country, to be played on Saturday, July 25 at Barossa Park.
Online tickets for the THINK! Road Safety Country Championships and Hostplus SANFL League game can be purchased via the SANFL website.
The full fixture for the THINK! Road Safety Country Football Championships can be viewed here.
Every match from this year’s carnival will be exclusively live-streamed for FREE on SANFL Now. The Central District v South Adelaide Hostplus SANFL League match will be live-streamed for SANFL Now subscribers.
The SA Football Budget also will be on sale at the gates for $6, featuring all zone team lists and a preview for the championships.
Action from last year’s THINK! Road Safety SA Country Football Championships in Port Pirie. Picture – Peter Argent
What's on at Country Champs
SANFL partners are gearing up for big weekend at the 2026 THINK! Country Football Championships at Barossa Park, with a number of activations available for footy goers to engage with over the three days:
- THINK! Road Safety marquee with information for road users and giveaways
- Kia vehicle displays featuring two of the new Kia Tasman Utes
- The Hospital Research Foundation Group activation zone with giveaways
- Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) with information on tradesperson employment opportunities, plus giveaways
- CME Group will be also be activating al the Country Champs
The championships will see representative teams from six regional zones – Central, Eastern, Eyre Peninsula, South East, Northern and Southern Districts – compete across the weekend. Picture – Peter Argent
Kick n Sip Festival
- Barossa wine tastings (18+)
- Limited edition Kick n Sip Barossa glasses available
- Live Fresh 92.7 DJ entertainment
- Paella and pizza food offerings
- Barossa wine wall fundraising for The Hospital Research Foundation Group
- A relaxed, social festival vibe
There is plenty happening off the field at this year’s Country Champs. Picture – Ross Starkey
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