It's easy to stay active and keep fit all-year-round in the Northern Territory. 

Sport is a big part of the Territory lifestyle, and people are into everything from football and lifesaving to golf, motor sports and martial arts.

We have excellent sport and recreation facilities, including air-conditioned indoor stadiums, swimming pools, ovals, golf courses and extensive bicycle and walking tracks. In most places, you won't have to travel too far to find a gym or fitness centre.

The Territory is home to hundreds of clubs, covering about 50 different sports and activities. Most clubs have a strong family and social focus and encourage juniors to get involved.

A well-established network of sports associations, clubs and school-based activities offers a comprehensive array of junior training, development and competition programs. This is especially true of the Territory's most popular game – Australian Rules football. The NT Football League has produced a constant stream of talented players who've made their mark in the national competition.

Team sports, including the four codes of football, cricket, basketball, baseball, hockey and netball are keenly followed too with competitions at all levels.

Sailing, boating and fishing are popular pastimes in the Top End. A day out on the water is a weekend favourite of many families. In Darwin and Nhulunbuy, there are several long-established clubs with first-class facilities for owners of yachts and trailer boats. Many of these clubs host regular training and racing events.

Major sporting events
Every second year, we organise major sporting events - the Arafura Games in Darwin and the Masters Games in Alice Springs.

The Arafura Games are held at venues across Darwin and Palmerston, including the Marrara International Sports Stadium. More than 3000 athletes from over 30 nations throughout the Asia-Pacific region and beyond participate. Contestants compete in more than 30 sports, from athletics to sepak takraw, the Malaysian game of kick volleyball.

Alice Springs hosts the Alice Springs Masters Games every two years. The only entry requirement for the “Friendly Games” is the minimum age for their chosen sport (at least 25 years) - and a willingness to have fun. For one week in October, more than 4500 participants from all over Australia and other countries gather to compete in over 30 disciplines and take a break in the magnificent Red Centre.

Opportunities for elite athletes
The Northern Territory Institute of Sport is at the forefront of elite training and competition, and is a recognised leader in the field of athlete acclimatisation and related research. More than 150 athletes participate in the Institute's athlete development programs. Competitors in a range of sports often visit the Territory for climate-training before international events and this can present opportunities to see Australia's elite athletes in training