Sporting action takes centre stage in Melbourne this spring

Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Victoria is set to further cement its title as sports capital of Australia when it plays host to seven blockbuster, world class events between now and Christmas.

The Socceroos will light up Etihad Stadium as they take on Japan in a World Cup qualifying match, the glamour and excitement of the Melbourne Cup Carnival is fast approaching, the Fast5 Netball World Series will showcase netball as never seen before and the World Cup of Golf will see the world’s best golfers compete for national pride.

Add to the mix the high octane action of the MotoGP, the skill and precision of the International Festival of Hockey and world class sailing at the Sailing World Cup-Melbourne and spectators from near and far are set for an action packed couple of months.

Events in a snapshot:

• Socceroos Vs Japan, Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, Tuesday, 11 October, 2016
• Michelin^® Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2016, Phillip Island, 21-23 October, 2016
• Melbourne Cup Carnival, Melbourne, until 29 October – 5 November, 2106
• Fast5 Netball World Series, Hisense Arena, Melbourne, 29-30 October, 2016
• World Cup of Golf, Kingston Heath Golf Club, Melbourne, 23-27 November 2016
• International Festival of Hockey, Melbourne & Bendigo, 23-30 November, 2016
• Sailing World Cup-Melbourne, St Kilda, 4-11 December, 2016

Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium will see soccer fans pack the stands for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Caltex Socceroos V Japan qualifying match on Tuesday 11 October 2016. In a rivalry that spans over 60 years, the two closely ranked teams teams will battle it out for a coveted spot at the 2018 FIFA World Cup which is set to take place in Russia. Much loved Socceroo stars Tim Cahill, Mat Ryan and Mile Jedinak will be taking to the pitch, giving the home crowd even more of a reason to cheer. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

Motorbike enthusiasts flock to Phillip Island for the Michelin® Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2016 (21-23 October, 2016), which will draw the world’s best riders to the famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. Set against panoramic ocean views, the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is one of the fastest tracks in the world. The pinnacle of motorcycle racing, this 18 race series visits 14 countries and is contested by the world’s top riders. Fans can expect to see racing greats in action, including Australian star Jack Miller and international champions such as Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo.

In addition to all of the racing action, there will be plenty of off-track entertainment including nightly Moto stunt shows and live music. For the first time, two F/A-18A Classic Hornets from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will wow fans young and old with a sensational, high-adrenalin aerial display, showcasing incredible speed and spectacular precision as they take to the skies.  Tickets are available at motogp.com.au.

Every year, thousands stream into Melbourne to witness the spectacle of the Melbourne Cup Carnival (29 October – 5 November, 2016). The best of the international racing scene will vie for the prestige of winning the major races, including the pinnacle of the carnival – the race that stops the nation – the Emirates Melbourne Cup (Tuesday 1 November).  Racing, entertainment, fashion, culture, food and wine combine to generate a thrilling atmosphere pervades the whole city. It is a day of fun, fashion and fanfare as thousands of race goers flock to Flemington to sip champagne and watch as the thoroughbreds thunder past. Tickets are available through Ticketek.

The Fast5 Netball World Series (29-30 October, 2016) will see the world’s top-six ranked nations compete across two days of action-packed netball at Hisense Arena. The Fast5 Netball World Series is the first opportunity for fans to witness netball’s newest format on Australian soil. Fast5 Netball is netball like never seen before – with five players a side, shorter quarters, power plays and super shots, the action is fast and exciting.

The event will feature the world’s best, with teams from Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, Malawi and South Africa. Spectators will also be treated to light shows, music and plenty more off-court entertainment. Tickets are available through Ticketek.

Melbourne’s Kingston Heath Golf Club will see some of the best golf players in the world competing for national pride as they represent their countries at the 58th edition of the World Cup of Golf (23-27 November). The event, first played in 1953, is one of the oldest and most prestigious global golf team events while Kingston Heath is one of Australia’s best golf courses and consistently ranked among the top 50 courses in the world.

This year sees the format returning to team play (two-man teams), with players from 28 different countries compete for a US$8 million purse. Jason Day and Adam Scott headline the event for Australia, while Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker will play for the USA. England’s Masters champion Danny Willett is also confirmed to play, as are fellow Top 30 players Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, Scotland’s Russell Knox and Spain’s Rafa Cabrera Bello. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

World class international hockey returns to Victoria in late November, for the new International Festival of Hockey (23-30 November 2016) in Melbourne and Bendigo. Spectators can witness the incredible skills and speed of some of the best hockey players in the world, as the iconic Kookaburras and Hockeyroos take on some of their biggest international rivals including India, Malaysia and New Zealand. Matches will be played at the State Netball Hockey Centre in Melbourne and in Bendigo at the Bendigo Hockey Complex. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

Lastly, the beachside suburb of St Kilda will come alive when the world’s best Olympic class sailors return to Port Phillip Bay to kick off Victoria’s summer of sailing at the Sailing World Cup-Melbourne (4-11 December 2016). Showcasing the best the world has to offer in sailing competition and now in its eighth year, the ISAF Sailing World Cup – Melbourne, is the state’s premier sailing event for Olympic class yachts. Over the seven-day event, close to 10,000 people will flock to Port Phillip Bay, to compete, support, spectate or engage in one of the many on and offshore activities.

For more information on where to stay and what else to do when visiting Melbourne and Victoria, go to www.visitmelbourne.com.au.