Liverpool will celebrate the power of football to bring Australians together when the Harmony Cup and Football NSW Multicultural Gala Day take over Hammondville on Saturday 17 October.

Liverpool City Council, in partnership with Football NSW, will host the two major events celebrating Australia’s cultural diversity, our shared love of football and the importance of building social harmony across Sydney.

The Harmony Cup will bring together Australians from different cultural backgrounds, with teams representing the Uruguayan, Italian, Macedonian, Sudanese, Serbian, Bosnian and Syrian communities.

While the teams will proudly celebrate their cultural heritage, they will come together through a shared Australian identity and a love of the world game.

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said the event was an opportunity to celebrate what makes Australia special and remind everyone of the role they play in building a united and harmonious society.

“One of Australia’s greatest strengths is that we are a nation of people from all corners of the world who have come together to build a shared future,” Mayor Mannoun said.

“We might have different backgrounds, speak different languages and celebrate different traditions, but we are all Australians.

“We saw the extraordinary power of football to unite our country during the Socceroos’ success at the World Cup. Australians from every background came together, wearing the green and gold, cheering for the same team and celebrating as one nation.

“That is the spirit we want to capture through the Harmony Cup.

“On the field, teams will proudly represent their cultural heritage. Off the field, we will come together as Australians, celebrating everything we have in common.

“At a time when there are challenges to social cohesion, we all have a responsibility to promote respect, understanding and harmony in our communities.

“Social harmony isn’t just the responsibility of governments or community leaders. It is something every one of us has a role in building.”

Mayor Mannoun said Liverpool, as one of Australia’s most culturally diverse cities, was an ideal place to demonstrate how sport can strengthen connections between communities.

“Liverpool is home to people from more than 150 different cultural backgrounds, and that diversity is one of our greatest strengths.

“But diversity alone doesn’t create harmony. Harmony comes from people getting to know one another, building friendships, respecting differences and recognising the values we share.

“Football provides a wonderful opportunity to do exactly that. It doesn’t matter where your parents or grandparents were born, what language you speak at home or which faith you follow. When you step onto the football field, you are part of a team.

“We want the Harmony Cup to send a message right across Sydney: we are stronger when we come together, and every Australian has a part to play in making our communities welcoming, respectful and united.”

The Harmony Cup will feature a one-day men’s football tournament, with participating teams guaranteed three group-stage matches before progressing into one of two finals pathways, with a major prize awarded to the winning team.

Alongside the tournament, Football NSW will deliver its Multicultural Gala Day, providing free football activities for children and young people aged 5 to 16 from across South-West Sydney.

The Gala Day will encourage participation, inclusion and friendship, giving young Australians from diverse backgrounds an opportunity to experience the joy of football together.

The celebrations will also include an All-Abilities Match, a Legends Match delivered in partnership with Heartbeat of Football, cultural activities, community stalls and a trophy presentation involving representatives from participating communities.

Mayor Mannoun said the involvement of children and young people was particularly important.

“Our young people are the future of our communities. When children from different backgrounds play together, they build friendships and learn that what unites us is far greater than what divides us.

“Those experiences help create the kind of Sydney we all want to live in — a city where people feel they belong, where differences are respected and where everyone has the opportunity to contribute.

“This is about much more than winning a football match. It is about building relationships that last long after the final whistle.

“Come along, support your team, celebrate your heritage, meet someone from a different background and enjoy everything that makes our Australian community so special.

“We may support different teams on Saturday, but when the final whistle blows, we all walk off the field as Australians.”

Celebrating the people behind grassroots football

Liverpool City Council Chief Executive Officer Jason Breton, a passionate football supporter and licensed football coach, said the Harmony Cup was also an opportunity to recognise the people who make football such an important part of community life.

“As a football tragic and licensed coach, I know firsthand that football is about much more than what happens on the pitch,” Mr Breton said.

“It’s about friendships, teamwork, discipline, respect and belonging. It brings together people who might otherwise never meet and gives them something they can share.

“The Harmony Cup is a wonderful celebration of that spirit, but we should also recognise that this same spirit is alive across Liverpool’s football fields every single weekend.

“I particularly want to thank the Southern Districts Soccer Football Association, its member clubs, and the thousands of volunteers, coaches, referees, committee members and parents who give their time, week in and week out, to make football possible.

“These are the unsung heroes of our communities. They turn up early, mark the fields, coach our children, referee matches, run canteens and create opportunities for people of all backgrounds and abilities to participate.

“They don’t just build football clubs. They build stronger communities.”

Mr Breton also acknowledged the organisations and individuals involved in delivering the event.

“I want to thank Football NSW, Southern Districts, Heartbeat of Football, our sponsors, Council staff and everyone who has worked to bring the Harmony Cup together.

“The Harmony Cup might be one special day on our calendar, but the work of bringing people together through football happens every week of the year.

“That deserves to be celebrated just as much as the tournament itself.”

Any surplus from the Harmony Cup program will be donated to Heartbeat of Football to support defibrillator initiatives across Council sporting fields.

Event details

Harmony Cup and Football NSW Multicultural Gala Day

• Date: Saturday 17 October 2026
• Time: 8am–8pm
• Location: Hammondville Soccer Fields
• Entry: Free for spectators

The event is supported by sponsors including Roman’s Deli, the Belgravia Foundation, Turner Freeman Lawyers and Dr Fit.

For more information and registration, visit:

https://www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/community/major-events/harmony-cup