5-a-Side Lakemba: Which Night Suits Your Team?
· 4 min read · KIKOFF Football
5-a-side in Lakemba: one week out from kick-off
If you have been meaning to sort a game of 5-a-side in Lakemba, this is the week to do it. KIKOFF Canterbury's next adult season starts Monday 14 September 2026, just seven days away. There are five separate competition nights on offer, each with a different mix of players and intensity. This guide breaks down who each night suits, so you can register your team or sign on as an individual before kick-off.
5-a-side at Canterbury is caged, floodlit and social. The ball stays in play off the walls, which keeps the game fast and forgiving if your first touch is not quite club-standard. It is built for players who want one solid game a week without a full winter club commitment.
Monday: Mens Div 2
Monday Mens Div 2 is the entry point for mixed-ability mens teams. If your group has a range of experience, from ex-club players to weekend warriors, this division keeps things competitive without being cutthroat. It is a good option if you are building a team from workmates or mates who have not played structured football together before.
Tuesday: Mens Div 1
Tuesday Mens Div 1 is the sharper end of the mens competition. Expect a quicker pace and more settled lineups. This suits teams with recent club experience who want a genuine test on a weeknight, without the full commitment of a winter season.
Thursday: Mens Div 1
Thursday runs a second Mens Div 1 competition, giving you a Thursday option if Tuesday nights do not suit your work or family schedule. Same standard, same format, different night of the week.
Friday: Mixed Open
Friday Mixed Open is the social soccer Canterbury regulars often ask for. Mixed teams, open grading, and a Friday night slot that works well as a wind-down after the working week. It suits couples, mixed friend groups and anyone who wants football and a social night out in the same booking.
Sunday: Mens Open
Sunday Mens Open rounds out the week for teams who would rather play on the weekend than on a weeknight. It runs to the same open grading and season structure as the weeknight mens competitions.
The bookable season: dates and pricing
All five adult competitions above run for 14 weeks plus finals, starting Monday 14 September 2026 and finishing Sunday 29 November 2026. Team entry is $1,500 per team. If you do not have a full side, individual entry is $295 and KIKOFF places you into a team. Registration is open now for both team and individual entry, and spots are filling with one week to go.
How to register: team or individual
- Decide whether you are entering as a full team or registering individually to be placed.
- Pick your night: Monday Div 2, Tuesday Div 1, Thursday Div 1, Friday Mixed Open, or Sunday Mens Open.
- Register your team or individual spot before the season starts on 14 September 2026.
- Turn up on your first match night with boots, shin pads and a light and dark shirt if you have them.
On the night, check in at Canterbury, find your allocated pitch and warm up in the cage before kick-off. Games run back to back across the four floodlit synthetic pitches, so arrive with a few minutes up your sleeve.
FAQs
What is 5-a-side at Canterbury?
It is caged, floodlit 5-a-side football played on synthetic pitches at KIKOFF Canterbury in Lakemba. The ball stays in play off the walls, which keeps the game moving and suits players of mixed ability.
When does the next season start?
The Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday adult competitions all start Monday 14 September 2026 and run for 14 weeks plus finals, finishing Sunday 29 November 2026.
How much does it cost to enter a team?
Team entry across all five adult competitions is $1,500. If you do not have a full team, individual entry is $295 and you will be placed into a side.
Which night is best for a mixed social team?
Friday Mixed Open is the mixed-grade competition, and it suits groups who want a social night as much as the game itself. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday are mens divisions.
Can I register without a full team?
Yes. Individual registration is open for $295 across all five adult competitions, and KIKOFF places individual registrations into teams ahead of the season.
Where is KIKOFF Canterbury?
KIKOFF Canterbury is at 573a Punchbowl Road, Lakemba, NSW. It has four caged 5-a-side pitches and is open year-round.
Get in before kick-off
With the season starting in a week, now is the time to lock in your night and your team. For the full rundown on how the Canterbury adult leagues work, see our earlier post on summer soccer at Northern Beaches for a comparison of how KIKOFF runs competitions across venues. To register your team or individual spot for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Sunday, head to Canterbury adult leagues, or check pitch availability and details at book Canterbury.
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