Your guide to sport in Melbourne

There’s no doubt about it – Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australia. If there’s a sport, team or event taking place, chances are it will be happening here. Below we’ve put together just some of the sporting highlights on offer to those who live, work and travel through Melbourne. For those who aspire to work in the Australian sports industry, it’s almost impossible to look past the capital of Victoria…

Item 2 — UCFB is proud to be partnered with the iconic MCG.

The city’s sports precinct is home to AFL, cricket, tennis, soccer, rugby and basketball. As well as the Rod Laver Arena and being home to the annual Australian Open, the centre-piece of the precinct is the world-famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The G, as it’s known to locals, can pack in over 100,000 fans for anything from the famous Boxing Day test match to the AFL Grand Final. It’s rightfully considered as one of the great sporting arenas, standing-up against the likes of Wembley, the Maracana and Wrigley Field. UCFB is extremely excited to be partnering with the MCG!
Melbourne couldn’t be considered a world-leading sports destination without playing host to Formula One. The Australian Grand Prix kicks off the F1 season in March each year around the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, and has played host to the event since 1996. The legendary Michael Schumacher and Australian Lex Davison hold the record for most wins in the Aussie F1, with four each. Australians though are now desperate for a home winner – an Aussie hasn’t won the race since 1980.

Item 4 — Richmond and Collingwood are two of the biggest AFL sides in Melbourne.

Don’t tell anyone but Victoria state, and more specifically Melbourne, is the home of the Australian Football League (AFL). Nine of the 18 teams operate within Melbourne, making the city the real hotbed of Aussie Rules. Richmond, Collingwood and North Melbourne are just some of the names that play footy in the city. The Grand Final takes place at the MCG in front of mega crowds. A TV audience of 3.4 million people tuned in to watch the 2018 Grand Final between eventual winners West Coast Eagles and Collingwood, just short of 14% of the country’s population.
When December turns to January and the weather is miserable in the Northern Hemisphere, millions around world turn on their TV for two weeks of uninterrupted sunshine and elite Tennis at the Australian Open. Wimbledon might have the tradition and Pimms, but the Aussie Open is fast becoming the players’ favourite event. Andy Murray says Melbourne has the best facilities in the game, and this year Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic said it was the “best tournament in the world”. 800,000 fans pack into the arenas, making it the best attended tennis tournament in the world.

Item 6 — The Australian Open kicks off the tennis calendar every year.

The Melbourne Cup is one of the most popular horse races in the world. Alongside the likes of The Derby and Grand National, the Cup draws a crowd of millions from around the world and millions into the coffers of the bookies. It also brings Australia to a standstill. The two-mile race takes place at Flemington Racecourse, and has a prize purse of over $7m (AUD). It’s not just on the track where the action happens though; the fashion stakes are high for men and women, with prizes also on offer for the best dressed!