Ethnic Football wins in Hamilton
By Paul J Michael
Every October Kirikiriroa, Hamilton holds its own “World Cup Football” tournament, and it’s fast growing to be one of Aotearoa’s premiere football events. The annual Ethnic Football Festival was established in 2000 by the Hamilton Multicultural Society (HMS) and is experiencing increasing growth year on year.
Organizing the Ethnic Football Festival for Hamilton this year is Kate Moore based at the Hamilton Settlement Centre on Boundary Road in Hamilton. A busy woman with work and family commitments, she gives me a warm welcome into her office with desk and computer stationed by the window.
The tournament celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. Currently the festival is being held at Gower Park, the home of Melville United FC.
The Ethnic Football Tournament organizers have four main goals that they target.
- Cultural Diversity – the Tournament brings cultures from all four corners of the earth.
- Sharing cultural traditions and values – through friendship, the game of football, food and music.
- Promoting Hamilton – a city that welcomes diversity, openness; and the logistics to hold a medium sized event.
- Promote healthy lifestyles – both physically and mentally through the game of football and social connection.
The 2026 tournament will be held on Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th October. 24 teams will be coming from as far away as Auckland and Christchurch to compete. They are split into four groups who then make their way to the knockout stages and the final held on the Sunday afternoon.
As well as tournament draws and logistics; there’s an opening ceremony to kick things off. Kate said this is a good family and cultural event “Everyone gathers at one end and then they give us a big parade. We have stilt walkers; drummers and then we have a little dance-off. It’s just to get everyone excited for the weekend.”
Kate explains, “So, it’s in a good space, a good mixture for the weekend, and everyone’s there… Family; it’s a whole cultural thing, a two-day party of music and sports and sharing of cultures”
Opening day parade at the Ethnic Football Festival
The simplicity and the lower costs involved is why the game is getting more traction and becoming more popular with both sexes in Aotearoa thinks Kate, “it’s easily accessible to anybody really, you just need a football.”
In a world full of friction, the Ethnic Football Festival is a shining light and shows that people from all cultures can get along given the right environment and circumstances.
The tournament isn’t just positive for players, Hamilton gains financially from people visiting from outside the Hamilton area; with motels, Air BnB’s, food and retail outlets also benefiting.
It brings the Hamilton community together and offers a fun way to keep healthy. For fans it is an opportunity to get out and meet other people, improve social skills, learn new things and get some fresh air.
So come on Hamilton let’s get out there on October 10th and 11th and support the Ethnic Football Festival; a festival for everyone, put it in your diary
The last words come from Kate –
“I think it just shows what Hamilton City is, which is a diverse, open, welcome, friendly city.”
2025 winners – Al Rasool Boys
