Port Pirie Confirmed as Host of 2028 Country Championships!
The 2028 SA Country LC Championships will return to Port Pirie from Wednesday 5 to Saturday 8 January 2028, hosted at the Port Pirie Aquatic & Leisure Centre.
The 2028 Championships will be delivered by SwimmingSA in partnership with the Port Pirie Regional Council, who return as destination partner following the 2026 event. The Council's continued backing is what enables the Championships to come back to the upper north region and reflects an ongoing commitment from the region to country swimming in South Australia.
Port Pirie has established itself as a serious destination for major regional sporting events. The 2026 Country Championships brought hundreds of athletes, families, officials and support roles into the region across four days of competition, with flow-on activity for accommodation providers, hospitality, retail and local services. The 2028 event is expected to deliver similar economic and community outcomes.
Beyond the pool deck, the Port Pirie region has plenty to offer visiting families across a multi-day stay. The Port Pirie Cultural Precinct sits at the heart of town and is a natural starting point, home to the Visitor Information Centre, the Regional Art Gallery, and the Shakka the Great White Shark exhibition, with virtual reality cage diving for the older kids. Solomontown Beach is a short walk from the boat ramp and offers a safe inlet for swimmers, lawn areas, a recently upgraded playground, skate park and pump track. The John Pirie Bridge, known locally as the Bridge to Nowhere, gives you a view back across the city and Smelter that's worth catching at sunset.
For those wanting to explore further, the Southern Flinders Ranges sit on Port Pirie's doorstep. Napperby Gorge is a 10-minute drive from town, and the Wirrabara Forest's Bluff Lookout delivers panoramic views across the region. Cyclists can take on the Port Pirie to Napperby trail, and the historic Woodward Park is a strong option for a relaxed afternoon with the kids. The National Trust Museum, RSL Military Museum and Stories from the Road Museum round out the cultural offering for anyone wanting to dig into the region's history.
The continued partnership between SwimmingSA and the Port Pirie Regional Council reflects a shared commitment to keeping the Championships in regional South Australia. Hosting the event in Port Pirie lowers barriers to competition for swimmers in the upper north and surrounding regions, gives country clubs a high-profile event close to home, and provides a platform for the broader country swimming community to come together at the start of the year.
SwimmingSA CEO Michelle Doyle said the return to Port Pirie reflects the value of working with regional partners who back swimming for the long term.
“Returning to Port Pirie in 2028 is a direct result of the Port Pirie Regional Council's continued backing. Their commitment as destination partner is what makes it possible for SwimmingSA to deliver a Championships of this scale in regional South Australia, and we're looking forward to working closely with the Council and the Port Pirie Aquatic & Leisure Centre team to deliver an event the country swimming community can get behind.”
Port Pirie Regional Council Mayor Leon Stephens welcomed the announcement.
“We are delighted to welcome the SwimmingSA Country Championships back to Port Pirie in 2028. Hosting this event again reflects our strong partnership with SwimmingSA and our ongoing commitment to supporting country sport, while showcasing Port Pirie as a regional destination that delivers excellent facilities, a welcoming community spirit and lasting economic benefits,”
For accommodation, dining and travel planning, the Port Pirie Visitor Information Centre is the best first stop. Full event details will be released closer to the meet through the SwimmingSA events calendar and direct club communications.
SwimmingSA looks forward to working alongside the Port Pirie Regional Council, the Port Pirie Aquatic & Leisure Centre, country clubs and the broader swimming community to deliver a 2028 Championships that builds on the strong foundation set in 2026.
