Melbourne is about to embark on a sporting extravaganza like no other.
Kicking off Friday, with a historic first NFL match on Australian soil, our country’s sporting capital will shine brighter than ever with a cavalcade of major events.
The AFL finals, Spring Racing Carnival, Australian Open golf at Kingston Heath and the final MotoGP at Phillip Island are just some of the big ticket items that will have sports fans salivating over the next six months.
So will the Australian Open tennis, F1 Grand Prix, Boxing Day Test and a special one-off 150th Anniversary Test between Australia and England at the MCG.
Visit Victoria chief executive Brendan McClements said: “We have a major events calendar that is the envy of cities around the world. Where else can you see such a mix of elite sport – including a regular-season NFL game, a tennis Grand Slam, Formula One Grand Prix as well as cricket, footy and netball?’’
Fans will clamour to see Rory McIlroy tee off at Kingston Heath in December, Carlos Alcaraz defend his AO crown and hometown hero Oscar Piastri light up Albert Park in March. Netball fans will be treated to Constellation Cup between Australia and New Zealand next month.
The AFLW season runs until November, with the grand final to be played under lights for the first time. And Big Bash, NBL and A-League action will add more sporting glory into a packed calendar.
Hotels are tipped to be more than 81 per cent full in the city for Friday’s NFL match, while AFL grand final weekend is already heavily booked at 84 per cent for Friday September 25, up 18 per cent compared to the same time last year.
MORE: New Tennis Australia chief outlines ambitious goal to make tennis Australia’s No.1
MARVELLOUS MELBOURNE SPORTING CALENDARNFL
LA Rams v San Francisco 49ers
September 11, 2026
MCG
AFL
Grand Final
September 26, 2026
MCG
Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix
October 23-25, 2026
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
Netball
Constellation Cup – Australia v New Zealand
October 28, 2026
John Cain Arena
Horse Racing Spring Carnival
Until November 29, 2026
Across Victoria
AFLW
Grand Final
November 27, 2026
Location: TBC
NBL and WNBL
NBL – September 19, 2026 – March 2027
WNBL – October 15, 2026 – February 2027
Australian Open Golf
December 3-6, 2026
Kingston Heath Golf Club, Melbourne
Big Bash League cricket
December 12, 2026 – January 26, 2027
MCG and Junction Oval
Boxing Day Test
Australia v New Zealand
December 26-30, 2026
MCG
150th anniversary cricket Test
March 11-15, 2027
MCG
Australian Open tennis
11-31 January, 2027
Melbourne Park
A-League Men and Women soccer
Men – October 16, 2026 – June 6, 2027
Women – October 17, 2026 – May 16, 2027
AAMI Park
Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix
March 2027
Albert Park