Australia's sports calendar
Australia is a passionate sporting nation with plenty of excitement, drama and true-blue sportsmanship.
Sport plays a huge part in weaving together the fabric of Australian society. Visitors flock from all over the world to enjoy this country’s incredible calendar of sporting events, from the casual and fun to the intense and highly-prized. We may be a competitive lot, but Australians also love to socialise over sport, so don’t be surprised if you make new friends at whatever sporting event you attend.
Summer (December - February)
Australian Open, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Victoria
Australia's warmer months bring a variety of sports to the forefront, but nothing says summer in Australia like a cricket match. Witness one live during the Domain Test Series, which takes place in December and January. On Boxing Day (the day after Christmas), spectators flock to Sydney Harbour to watch the beginning of the spectacular Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, as vessels jostle for position in the quest to be the first boat to arrive into Hobart.
Across the country in Perth, you can catch the World Super 6 Perth golf tournament each February.
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Autumn (March - May)
Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast, Queensland
To kickstart the autumn calendar, the Adelaide 500 race (20th - 23rd March) in South Australia is the country’s biggest event for V8 Supercars. The motor racing continues at the Albert Park Formula 1 circuit in Melbourne, with the Rolex Australian Grand Prix taking over the city. For first-class Australian football (soccer), don't miss the A-League grand final, which takes place each autumn.
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What's on: Events and festivals calendar
Winter (June - August)
Alice Springs Camel Cup, Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Winter might bring colder weather, but the events calendar heats up with rugby, running races and even the one-of-a-kind Camel Cup. At this time rugby league, Australian football, and rugby union draw crowds at major stadiums every weekend. Each football code's website can keep you up to date with venues and match fixtures. The keenly contested State of Origin rugby league series between rivals New South Wales and Queensland is played over three games, typically held from May to June.
Australia’s mild winters set the ideal scene for running, with the Gold Coast Marathon held each July. The Sun-Herald City2Surf is the world’s largest open fun run, following a route through Sydney city to Bondi Beach. Check the website for more information on dates and entry.
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Spring (September - November)
AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Victoria
Spring is one of Australia's best seasons for sport. As the weather warms, several sports’ grand finals take place. The Australian Rules Football AFL Grand Final takes its traditional place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, typically held in late September or early October, while rugby league’s NRL Grand Final is one of the season's sell-out events. In 2020, Australia will host the ICC T20 World Cup cricket, with the men's tournament played across the country in October and November.
Motorsports enthusiasts mark their calendar for Queensland's Gold Coast 600, as well as the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix (25th October) on Victoria’s Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit. For pageantry and colour, few events can beat racing’s Spring Carnival at Melbourne’s Flemington racecourse. The lively one-day event culminates in the "race that stops a nation," the Melbourne Cup. Plan your trip early to be a part of the spectacle, which usually takes place in early November.
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