This page has been created as a Tournament FAQ for umpires officiating at the 2026 Darwin 9s.
What is the date of the Darwin 9s?
Saturday 8 August, 2026
Where is the venue?
Skyring Rugby Park, 71 Abala Road, Marrara with matches taking place on both Field 1 and Field 2.
Field 1 is the field with the main grandstand.
What are the teams?
The following 12 teams will compete in the 2026 Darwin 9s:
Women’s Division
- Darwin Buffs
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Tiwi
Men’s Division 1
- Larrakia
- Greece
- New Zealand
- Tiwi
Men’s Division 2
- Africa
- Ireland
- Wadjigan
- US Marines
Where can I find the fixture?
The 2026 official fixture can be found here.
What are the playing rules?
The playing rules for the Darwin 9s can be found at https://aflinternational.com/darwin9s/match-rules
Is there parking?
There is plenty of parking at the venue, and parking is free.
What do I bring?
Yourself and a whistle! If you have umpired the Darwin 9s before, please bring your orange AFI umpire shirt and black AFI shorts. For those of you who are new, we will provide you with a brand new AFI umpire shirt & shorts. Please bring your own black socks.
Is there food & drink?
We have arranged for all our umpires to receive the following:
- A free feed from Aussie Burgers & Hot Dogs, and
- A free slushie from Sunshine Slushies
It’s important we look after our umpires and ensure they have enough fuel during the day!
Is there a roster?
Dean O’Donoghue is putting the umpire’s roster together. This will be put up in the Umpire’s room on the day.
From experience the roster will evolve during the day – to account for people who need a break, might need to leave early etc. But everyone will get plenty of games and the chance to rest as well.
What is the weather forecast?
It’s the dry season – sensational! See you soon!
