Australia is globally popular as an athletic country. Australians love their sports: they love to play, watch it on TV, attend sporting events and follow the games around the world. Australia is also home to many world-class sporting events. Each year, the city of Melbourne host the Australian Open and the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and Superbike World Championship, at Phillip Island in the state of Victoria, and many other major international events.

The most popular sports events to take place in Australia in 2015:

1. The AFC Asian Cup Australia :

It occurs in January across cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Newcastle. With more than 500,000 spectators, this sport event has established itself as a major tournament where the national Soccer team ‘Australian Socceroos’ competes for the title with more than 16 countries including Japan, Saudi Arabia, China, Qatar, Iraq and Korea in 32 games that occur over a period of 23 days.

2. Santos Tour Down Under :

This is one of the most prestigious cycling events held in January, where the world famous cyclists cross the stunning scenery of vineyards in South Australia.

3 Australian Open :

This is one of the 4 major tennis tournaments worldwide. It is the first Grand Slam of the year and is held in Melbourne in the months of January-February of each year.

4. Australian Open of Surfing :

It is an event that brings together athletes, artists and Australian culture. It is held in February at the main beach of Manly in Sydney. It is an extension of the US Open of Surfing and includes surfing, skateboarding and lots of music.

5. Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix :

This racing event is held in Melbourne in March, where you will see Formula 1 drivers competing for the title at Albert Park track.

6. State of Origin Series :

The National Rugby League (NRL) provides an event where players compete in teams in their respective territories or states of origin. In this competition 16 teams, 15 are located in Australia and one in New Zealand involved. This event lasts from autumn to spring and culminates with the NRL Grand Final and it is recognized as one of the most popular events of the year.

7. City2Surf :

This particular event is Sydney’s most popular race which takes place in August and attracts more than 75,000 participants, who run, walk and play along 14 kilometers stretch from the city center to the most famous beach in Sydney: Bondi Beach.

8. The Australia Football League Final Series – AFL :

From March to September, this qualifying league is played with huge crowd in Australia. Teams from Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the finals while millions of Australians watch it on television. The city becomes a carnival as fans of the teams rejoice with excitement.

9. Melbourne Cup :

A sporting event that has become a public holiday in the state of Victoria as an entire nation is found indulged on the horse race of the year.

10. Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race :

Since 1945, every year in December, yachts fleet comes from Nielsen Park in Sydney Harbour on a journey of over 1100 kilometers to finish in Hobart, Tasmania. Today, this yacht race has become a symbol of Australia’s water sport.

Every year in January, the Australian Open in Melbourne brings together all the best tennis players of the world. This is one of the biggest annual sporting event on the Australian continent and attracts more than half a million spectators, during the two weeks of the competition.

Location

Since 1988, the Australian Open is held inside the Melbourne Park in Melbourne, a sports complex designed specifically for this tournament, which includes 19 outdoor and six indoor tennis courts spread over 20 hectares.

Meet the Stars

This grand event is one of the four tennis tournaments, held annually, where you can see, take autograph or even get a chance to click a picture with top tennis players including Roger Federer, Serena Williams and many others. You can also see them off the tennis court as well, strolling through a parks, in a mall, sitting in a cafe or on a beach. So, don’t miss the chance.

Bask in the Sun

This tennis grand slam tournament takes place during the Australian summer, which is the ideal time for the tourists who want to escape from the winter of the northern hemisphere. This is the perfect opportunity to explore Australia and the sun will not disappoint you.

Enjoy the Food

If you feel hungry then Australia has a wide variety of food to satisfy your hunger and your taste buds. There is something for every one: fish & chip, Korean barbecue, Scottish fillet, Indian curry and variety of liquors. Whether you wish to enjoy your meal at a prime location in the River Terrace Restaurant or in an more casual open cafe, tennis action and craze can be seen everywhere.

Happy Shopping

You’ll definitely want to take some souvenirs from your visit to one of the greatest tennis centers in the world. Many shops are located in the center, which sell official merchandise including t-shirts of popular players. Off the center, you can go into the city for shopping. You can stroll through shops in the city center, where you will find everything you need.

Don’t have Tickets?

Tickets for this tournament are limited and sell very quickly. Don’t worry, even if you could not get tickets, you still can enjoy the event at Federation Square. All of the matches broadcast here, live on a giant screen for free. The festivities last all day with music concerts and continuous live entertainment.

This is the best time to visit Australia and feel the thrill and excitement of attending world’s best sports event, while you watch top tennis players competing against each other.
Come to Australia and be a part of this great event.

The largest football tournament that Australia has ever hosted will begin on January 9, 2015 when the Australian national football team will face Kuwait in the first match of the AFC Asian Cup. Total 16 countries including Korea Republic, Japan, China and Iraq will play in 32 matches over 23 days. The tournament will be held in various cities, namely Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Newcastle. This event is going to be an amazing event with lots of fun, both on and off the football field.

The 2015 edition of the AFC Asian Cup will be hosted by Australia for the first time.

Over the years, this prestigious tournament has grown to become the largest football event of the continent and most important senior men’s football league of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Venues for the Matches are:

Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne:-

Melbourne, the dynamic city, will host seven games including the opening game between Australia and Kuwait and a quarter-final match. The opening ceremony will precede the first game.

Canberra Stadium, Canberra:-

The modern Canberra, capital of Australia, in its stadium will host seven games, including a quarter-final and two matches of the group stage, where Republic of Korea, World Cup finalist and two-time winner of ‘Asian Cup will be competing for the championship.

Stadium Australia, Sydney:-

This Stadium is the most imposing venue of the tournament, which can accommodate about 80,000 spectators. Here, seven matches will be played including the final on January 31 and a semi-final match of the quarterfinalists.

Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane:-

This Stadium in Brisbane has hosted several football matches over time, including the qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup and FIFA World Cup. In the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015, this stadium will be hosting seven games. These matches will include a quarter final and the long-awaited battle between the finalists at the World Cup, Australia and the Republic of Korea.

Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle:-

Located on a peninsula, bordered by a working harbor and beautiful beaches, Newcastle will host four matches of the tournament including two in the final phase, a semi-final and the play-off for third place.

In January, whole country will come to life thanks to this festival of football, when more than 500 million fans in the stands and in front of the TV around the world will unite for the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015.

Around the year, Australia celebrates various festivals but Christmas is often celebrated with the most enthusiasm. The last week of the year is devoted to holidays, festivals and many events held throughout the country. Many events follow the Christmas till the new year.

Let’s take a look at various events held in Australia

Christmas

In Australia, Christmas falls in the middle of summer, rather than in the depths of winter in the northern hemisphere. The festival also coincides with the mid of the school summer holidays. The days leading up to Christmas are always very hectic, as the Australians are dedicated to shopping for Christmas gifts for friends and family. The shop windows are full of toys and installations with fake snow, Christmas trees, reindeer and other decorations. The traditional Christmas dinner is an opportunity to get together with ham, roast turkey and plum pudding.

Although, today many Australian families are opting for an outdoor barbecue in Australian style . It is now well-established tradition that many international tourists visit the famous Bondi Beach in Sydney, for a picnic on Christmas Day.

Santo Stefano

The feast of St. Stephen falls on the day after Christmas. In South of the country it is called Proclamation Day, as they celebrate the proclamation of South Australia between the British provinces.

This day of celebration is characterized by various sporting events. You can enjoy the yacht race (Sydney-Hobart), Boxing Day from Sydney with the participation of skippers from all over the world.

In Australia, summer is also the season of cricket. The traditional game of Test cricket takes place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which attracts more than 100,000 spectators. In 2014, Australia will face England on the opening day of the test series of the Ashes.

In Santo Stefano and also in most cities seasonal sales begins and many people stand in line waiting for the opening of the stores.

New Year

The New Year is celebrated on January 1st of each year in all states and territories. For many people, New Year is an opportunity to relax after the festivities of Christmas Eve.

In all the major cities celebrations of New Year is held, which usually involve fireworks and other events such as those that take place in Sydney Harbour. The annual Perth Cup, which is the largest, Western Australian horse race is held at Ascot on New Year’s Day. People from all over the world gather in Sullivans Cove on the Hobart waterfront to toast the new year with the crews of the Sydney-Hobart race. Many families spend the day traveling back home, returning from summer vacation.

This period of time in Australia is full of fun, entertainment and shopping. The last week of every year is dedicated to the festivals. So, it is the best time to visit Australia and celebrate and enjoy your holidays.

Australia has a strong reputation thanks to its world-renowned musicians. You can discover the alternative and avant-garde artists during the cultural festivals that take place regularly in its major cities.

If you love jazz and the blues then Melbourne International Jazz Festival and the Australian Blues Music Festival is must for you. If you are a fan of indie music and alternative rock then participate in the Future Music Festival or the Big Day Out.

You can listen to great music while camping in beautiful rural areas in festivals like the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland or in Byron Bay. This country is a major destination for many international artists ranging from Broadway musicals to rock concerts in stadiums.

Classical Music, Jazz and Blues

Lovers of classical music, jazz and blues can have the combination of great music and spectacular settings by participating in one of the many festivals, which are held throughout the year. You can visit the wine regions and enjoy Opera or jazz in the Vineyards. Savor the musical adventure of Bluefest immersed in a plantation of tea trees. Enjoy jazz in the central Melbourne along with art exhibitions held till late at night and intimate concerts in small clubs.

Wrap yourself up in the world of chamber music and also enjoy sun in tropical winter of Townsville. You can visit Adelaide to listen to the incredible performance of classical guitar and international artists that animate the Adelaide International Guitar Festival.

Rock, Indie and Alternative

Australians are famous for their love of live music as evident by the abundance of festivals where you can watch the best artists and groups in the world. Lovers of various music genre such as rock, indie, metal and punk can participate in exciting outdoor festivals. These electrifying festivals attract tourists from all over the world.

It is a good idea to celebrate the new year by participating in the heart of Sydney in Parklife. Travel to Byron Bay to enjoy the beautiful setting of the Moo touring festival in different cities of the region. You can also discover the wonderful Tasmania, Marion Bay and Lorne festivals.

Country, Folk and World Music

You can join the lovers of country, folk and world music for entertainment without limits in one of the many music festivals that take place throughout the year. Listen to the best country music with the famous Tamworth Music or dance to the rhythm of the music world at Womad in capital city, Adelaide.

Also, explore Port Fairy, a picturesque coastal village that is home to the Port Fairy Folk Music Festival or you can also choose to camp in the hinterland in Queensland to enjoy the Woodford Folk Festival.

These festival has everything to offer to the fans of any kind of music genre whether it is classical, jazz, country, rock or folk. The land of Australia is a must visit for the music lovers