Melbourne, Australia is a sports lover’s paradise. Here’s a beginner’s guide to sporting events in Melbourne.
From the Australian Open to the Melbourne Cup, there’s always a major sporting event happening in Melbourne. If you’re a beginner looking to explore the world of Melbourne’s sporting events, you’re in luck. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know to get started.
Sporting events in Melbourne
Australian Open
The Australian Open is one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world. It takes place in January each year and attracts top players from around the globe. If you’re a tennis fan, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance as they tend to sell out quickly. There is plenty of actions on the courts with the world’s best players going head to head. But off the courts you’ll also find food, entertainment and live music.
AFL
AFL, or Australian Rules Football, is a uniquely Australian sport that’s played at the professional level in Melbourne. The season runs from March to September, with the grand final taking place in late September or early October. If you’re a sports enthusiast, attending an AFL game is an essential Melbourne experience. The best place to take in all the action is the Melbourne Cricket Ground, also known as the MCG.
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is the biggest horse race in Australia and is held annually on the first Tuesday of November. It’s a day when the city comes to a standstill as everyone tunes in to watch the race. If you’re lucky enough to be in Melbourne on Melbourne Cup day, be sure to dress up and head to one of the many pubs around the city. If you buy a ticket to attend the race, you’ll enjoy fashion parades, live music and food and wine as part of the festivities.
Australian Grand Prix
Melbourne is home to the Australian Grand Prix, which takes place each year in March. It’s the first race of the Formula One season and is one of the most significant events on the sporting calendar. If you’re a motorsport fan, the Australian Grand Prix is a must-attend event. It is held just south of the city centre – at Albert Park.
Rugby League and Rugby Union
Melbourne also hosts professional Rugby League and Rugby Union games. The National Rugby League season runs from March to October, while the Rugby Union season runs from February to July. If you’re a fan of either sport, be sure to check out the schedule and attend a game during your visit to Melbourne.
Lesser-known Melbourne Sporting Events
Melbourne is a city renowned for its sporting culture, hosting major international events like the Australian Open, Formula 1 Grand Prix, and the Melbourne Cup. However, beyond these well-known events, the city has a wealth of lesser-known sporting events that are well worth experiencing.
Moomba Masters
If you’re a watersports enthusiast, then Moomba Masters is an event that should be on your radar. Held on the Yarra River over the Labour Day weekend in March, this event brings together the world’s best water skiers, wakeboarders, and barefooters for four days of thrilling competition. In addition to the action on the water, Moomba Masters features a carnival atmosphere, with rides, food trucks, and live music.
Melbourne Ice Hockey Classic
While ice hockey may not be the first sport that comes to mind when you think of Melbourne, the city has a vibrant ice hockey community, and the annual Melbourne Ice Hockey Classic is a highlight of the calendar. Held at the O’Brien Group Arena, this event sees two of the world’s top ice hockey teams go head-to-head in an action-packed game that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Australian Deaf Games
The Australian Deaf Games is a unique sporting event that brings together deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes from around the country to compete in a range of sports. These include basketball, netball, athletics, and swimming. This event showcases the skill and athleticism of deaf athletes and offers a valuable opportunity for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community to come together and celebrate their achievements.
A-League and W-League Matches
Melbourne has two professional soccer teams: Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City FC. Both teams play in the A-League and W-League, Australia’s top-flight men’s and women’s soccer leagues. Attending a match is a great way to experience the passion and excitement of Australian soccer. Plus, both teams have a dedicated fan base that creates an incredible atmosphere at their home games.
Victorian Open Lawn Bowls
Lawn bowls may not be the most glamorous of sports, but it is incredibly popular amongst older generations in Australia. For those that enjoy a good roll, the Victorian Open Lawn Bowls is one of the largest events on the calendar. Held at the Shepparton Bowls Club, this event attracts hundreds of bowlers from around the country. It features both singles and doubles competitions, as well as a range of social events.
History of Melbourne’s sporting events
Melbourne has a rich sporting history, dating back to the 1850s when horse racing first became popular in the city. Since then, Melbourne has become known as the sporting capital of Australia, and some of the country’s most significant sporting events have taken place here
One of the earliest and most famous Melbourne sporting events is the Melbourne Cup, a horse racing event that has been held since 1861. The Cup is one of the richest horse races in the world and attracts competitors from all over the globe.
Another iconic Melbourne sporting event is the Australian Open, one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments held annually. The first Australian Open was held in 1905 and has since become one of the biggest events on the international tennis calendar, attracting the world’s best players to Melbourne every January.
In the 1950s, Melbourne hosted the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, which brought together athletes from across the British Commonwealth. This event helped to establish Melbourne as a major sporting city and paved the way for the city to host other international sporting events.
Throughout the 20th century, Melbourne continued to host major sporting events, including the 1956 Summer Olympics and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. These events helped to cement Melbourne’s reputation as a world-class sporting destination and brought significant economic benefits to the city.
Melburnians love their sports
In addition to the major and lesser-known events, Melbourne also has a thriving local sporting scene. There’s a wide range of sports played and enjoyed by locals, including AFL cricket, soccer, netball, and basketball. The city’s sporting facilities are world-class, with many stadiums and arenas catering to a range of sports and events.
So what are you waiting for – come and join in the sports action in Melbourne!
Written by: Leah Furey – Digital Content Coordinator @gowest.com.au
