Shell Green 2026 is set to return as a meaningful fixture on the veteran and wider community calendar, drawing thousands of veterans, families, and sporting spectators to Brookfield Cricket Club for a day of sport, remembrance, and connection.
The annual match pays tribute to a remarkable moment from World War I, when Australian troops played a game of cricket under fire on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
The event takes its name from that famous cricket match played on 17 December 1915 when Australian soldiers set up a cricket pitch as part of efforts to distract the Turkish forces while allied troops prepared to evacuate. Shells fell overhead as the game was played, and it was eventually abandoned when enemy fire grew too close in a scene captured in period photographs that have become powerful symbols of courage, camaraderie and resilience.
In honouring that history, Shell Green 2026 aims to be more than a sporting contest. Held annually on ANZAC Day, it honours Australia’s broader tradition of remembrance, reflection, and respect for those who have served at home and overseas. The commemorative nature of the event lets veterans, serving personnel, families, and the wider community to connect through shared storytelling and active participation.
Shell Green 2026 will again see the 7th Brigade Commander’s XI take on the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s XI. While the competitive element adds excitement, the event’s atmosphere is intended to be inclusive and welcoming, with families, supporters and visitors encouraged to attend and participate in activities beyond the main match.
The full day’s program include pre-match commemorations, food and refreshments, and community activities and displays, blending solemn recognition with social engagement. Over the years, the event has grown into a highlight of Brisbane’s ANZAC Day calendar, welcoming thousands of spectators each year and becoming an official part of local remembrance efforts.
As Shell Green 2026 approaches, organisers and supporters alike are preparing for a day that honours history while celebrating community spirit with roots in one of the most enduring images of Australians at war, acting as a living tribute to service, sacrifice, and shared history.
