Labor is backing Victorian sport with the inaugural match of the Melbourne Cobras today in Parkville.
The Melbourne Cobras – Melbourne’s newest sporting team – hit the pitch today with the men’s and women’s teams playing their debut Hockey One League matches.
Minister for Sport Steve Dimopoulos welcomed the Cobras as the eighth team in the league and the second based in Victoria alongside Hockey Club Melbourne.
The Cobras will play three home matches in Parkville and take a home game to Bendigo in the 2026 season.
They are the country’s first India-centric sports franchise and are backed by the Carroll Labor Government.
The introduction of the Cobras makes Victoria the only state with two elite hockey teams.
Victoria’s India Strategy identifies sport as one of 10 key sectors, with a goal to utilise the state’s competitive sports environment to promote sports participation, SportsTech, and industry collaboration.
The addition of the Melbourne Cobras follows the Labor Government’s support of hockey across the state – led by the $64.6 million transformation of the State Netball Hockey Centre.
The Regional Sports Infrastructure Program has also supported two regional hockey upgrades with the ongoing redevelopment of Stead Park in Geelong and the recently completed Banyul-Warri Fields in Torquay.
The 2026 Hockey One Australia season began on Thursday 8 October and runs through to Sunday 22 November.
All Hockey One League games are free on 7plus locally in Australia and on Hockey One Global Pass internationally.
For Melbourne Cobras tickets, visit: melbournecobras.com/
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport Steve Dimopoulos
“The Melbourne Cobras is an exciting new name in Victorian sport, lighting up the Hockey One competition and celebrating the rich Indian history in our state.”
“Labor has built up Victoria’s sporting calendar to be the best in the nation – and this exciting new addition adds even more experiences for athletes and families to enjoy.”
Quote attributable to Hockey Victoria CEO Andrew Skillern
“The Melbourne Cobras will influence participation increases amongst the fast-growing Indian diaspora of Victoria and Australia.
“Our nine Indian international Indian players who are representing the Cobras in 2026 will pave the way for future stars playing at the highest level.”