Why Melbourne is a Sports Lover’s Paradise?

With a repertoire of edge-of-the-seat action to look out for throughout the course of the year, Australia’s sporting capital of Melbourne never fails to thrill die-hard fans. Melbourne is as sports-mad a city that you will ever have the privilege of wandering through and for those contemplating a visit in the near future, then do have a look as to what needs factoring into your travel plans and itineraries.

Game, set and match!

Come the month of January, tennis fans commune in their numbers seeking to catch a glimpse and if lucky, an autograph of their favourite tennis players who are pitted against each other at the year’s 1st Grand Slam – the Australian Open! Held every year at the well-appointed Melbourne Park which can accommodate several matches across its courts simultaneously, ardent followers of the game will get their money’s worth no sooner they find their way to their respective seats and that too with a mug of beer in hand. Aside from having the best seat in the house to watch the cream of tennis do battle for top honours throughout the tournament’s 2-week duration, patrons will also find plenty of reason to head off to the Grand Slam Oval. Perfectly positioned to cater to the whims and fancies of large audiences, the Oval is an impressive entertainment precinct where you can still catch the tennis on giant screens along with opportunities to snack on flavoursome fare and tune into live musical performances.

And it’s lights out and away we go!

Yes, you did indeed read that right for Melbourne is home to one of the most anticipated races on the Formula 1 calendar that takes centre stage for 3 days straight in March. Scheduled for the weekend of 21st March – 24th March 2024 at the historic Albert Park which is one of the street circuits that hosts F1’s leading names and up-and-coming stars, the Australian Grand Prix is an excellent reason to come along to Melbourne and enjoy one whale of a time with like-minded racing enthusiasts. Whether you want to cheer on the local heroes of Daniel Ricciardo and Oscar Piastri or root for a Max Verstappen podium of Lewis Hamilton win, this sporting spectacle is all set to take the racing world by storm with throttling engines, fast laps and neat passing all but assured.

A race for the ages

To some, it is a mere horse race, to others an opportunity to meet friends and enjoy themselves while to a majority, the Melbourne Cup is treated as a tradition of sorts that brings together horse racing fanatics from not just the city, but those in neighbouring parts of Australia and the greater globe. Held on the 1st Tuesday in November, the Melbourne Cup guarantees 3 minutes of pure action where a nation pauses and waits with bated breath as to what may or may not transpire out on the lush greens of Flemington Racecourse. As Australia’s leading and most talked about horse racing event, the Melbourne Cup is poised for one more heart-stopping, adrenaline rush this year with a host of the country’s best horses, jockeys and trainers endeavouring to do whatever it takes to carry home the ultimate prize and bragging rights. However, even if you miss out on this showpiece event, you can still book a guided tour to one of the world’s most famed racecourses.

Get yourself to the G

Known as the Melbourne Cricket Ground or fondly as the ‘G,’ the coliseum which is the MCG has played host to not just sporting events but also musical concerts and is one of the icons of the city. While cricket serves as its main draw with the Australian cricket team routinely playing either test cricket or the shorter formats of the game here with the world’s best, the country’s premier football league – the Australian Football League (AFL) continues to bring in large, raucous crowds. Affectionately referred to as ‘Footy’ or ‘Aussie Rules,’ the AFL conducts games throughout winter and culminates with the Grand Final which is played out in September to banner-waving and passionate fans. When looking for places to go in Melbourne such as those specified above, consider being based at Avani Melbourne Box Hill Residences which is found on the outskirts of the city.