List of notable Australian sportspeople that died in 2026. These people have contributed significantly to their sport and Australian sport in playing, coaching, administration or media roles.
List will be updated during 2026 when deaths become known.
Sport Australia Hall of Fame (SAHOF) members – Garry Daly OAM
Administration
- Garry Daly, 86, OAM Australian sport administator, SAHOF member
- Jim Ferguson, 85, Australian Sports Commission CEO 1990-2000
Athletics
- Don Baird, 75, Australian Olympic pole vauter (1976)
- Ken Hall, 74, Australian distance runner and coach
- Robyn Sillitoe (nee Woodhouse), 82, Australian Olympic high jumper (1964)
Australian Football
- Geoff Ablett, 71, Australian footballer Hawthorn, Richmond, St Kilda
- Neil Daniher, 65, Australian footballer Essendon, Melbourne coach and Australian of the Year (2025)
- Bill Dempsey, 83, Australian footballer West Perth, Australian Football Hall of Fame
- Brian McGowan, 88, Australian footballer South Melbourne and Glenelg.
Basketball
- Ken Cole, Australian Olympic Basketballer (1964) and coach
Cricket
- Eddie Illingworth, 87, Australian cricketer
- John Maclean, 80, Australian test wicketkeeper
Football
- Rado Vidošić, 64, Croatian-Australian football manager (Brisbane, Melbourne City)
Hockey
- John Dwyer, 97, Australian Olympic field hockey player (1956)
- Michael Nobbs, 72, Australian Olympic field hockey player (1984) and coach
Horse Racing
- Pat Hyland, 86, Australian Racing Hall of Fame jockey
- Makybe Diva, 26 , Three time Melbourne Cup winner
Motor Sport
- Bob Valentine, 85, Australian motorcycle speedway rider
Rugby League
- Garry Leo, 81, Balmain Tigerts premiership player
- Neville Glover, 70, Parramatta, Penrith, NSW and Australian player
- Terry Williams, 62, Rugby league historian
Rugby Union
- Alan Morton, 91, Australian Wallaby and leading Australian sport scientist
Sailing
- Gordon Ingate, 100, Australian Olympic sailor (1972)
- Mike Fletcher, 92, Australian sailor and Olympic sailing coach
Sports Media
- Dennis Cometti, 76, leading Australian sports commentator, SAHOF member
- Clarke Hansen, 84, Australian sports commentator
Swimming
- Robyn Nock (nee Thorn), 80, Australian Olympic swimming medallist (1964)
- Melissa Roberts (nee Cunningham), 51, Australian Word Champion open water
- Brian Wilkinson, 88, Australian Olympic swimmer (1956) and coach
Tennis
- Mal Anderson, 91, Australian tennis player – US Open Singles Champion 1957
- Dr John Fraser, 90, Australian tennis player and medical doctor
Weightlifting
- Nick Ciancio, 79, Australian Olympic weightlifter (1972)
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