Sport Crazy Victoria
There can be very few cities in the world that can boast a richer sporting culture than Melbourne.
The city hosts almost all of Australia’s major sporting finals and events, and is also the only city on earth that holds both a tennis Grand Slam and an F1 Grand Prix.
AFL:
The state of Victoria is the home of the highly popular game of Australian Rules Football, and Melbourne is certainly a massive centre for the sport.
With the AFL only recently making it’s way out of the state and into national competition, the vast majority of teams are based either in or around the Melbourne area.
The city’s showpiece stadium, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, plays host to a number of games, including the Grand Final, which is one of the biggest sporting events in the country.
Cricket:
Australia is more than a little passionate about its cricket, and with good reason. They are by far the best side in the world and have been so for a number of years.
The highlight of any Aussie cricketers season has to be the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. As one of the biggest and best grounds in the world, this is a spectacle to behold for any fan of the sport.
Tennis:
January sees the world’s best tennis stars hit the city for the Australian Open which is the first Grand Slam of the season. The two main courts used in the tournament are Rod Laver Arena and Vodafone Arena which both feature retractable roofs, making it the only Grand Slam with indoor play.
FORMULA 1:
The F1 season kicks off in Melbourne and is one of the most anticipated races on the circuit.
Each year in March the city in and around the famous Albert Park becomes a hotbed for rev heads and celebrities alike.
MELBOURNE CUP:
Perhaps one of the biggest sporting events in Australia has to be the Melbourne Cup. The internationally renowned horse race quite literally brings the whole country to a standstill. The race is run on the first Tuesday of November.
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