Australia Archives | Sports Tourism News

Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia: the stadiums and host cities

24Jan

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Events, Venues & Stadiums

Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia: the stadiums and host cities

Eight world-class stadiums across seven cities in Australia have been selected to host games at the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027. From Perth Stadium, set to host the opening match on 1 October 2027 with its 60,000-seat capacity, to Stadium Australia in Sydney | Wangal, the stage for the final on 13 November with 82,000 seats, fans can expect venues with cutting-edge facilities, perfectly suited for this expanded edition featuring 24 teams. Several venues will be familiar to fans who experienced the last Rugby World Cup in Australia, with five stadiums returning from 2003, including Adelaide Oval and Brisbane Stadium. Docklands Stadium in Melbourne | Narrm stands out as the only venue with a retractable roof, which will remain closed for all matches, while North Queensland Stadium in To...

TCS Sydney Marathon 2026 attracts record 123,000 ballot entries

22Nov

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Events, Sports Business

TCS Sydney Marathon 2026 attracts record 123,000 ballot entries

Sydney’s status as a world-class sports tourism destination continues to accelerate, with the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS attracting unprecedented global interest for its 2026 edition. The iconic event, now part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM), has become a magnet for travelling runners, drawing tens of thousands of international visitors eager to combine a bucket-list marathon with a trip to one of the world’s most spectacular sports cities. The 2026 edition, taking place on Sunday 30 August 2026, will have an increased capacity targeting 40,000 finishers. Record-shattering demand for the TCS Sydney Marathon is cementing the Harbour City’s position as one of the world’s premier sports tourism hotspots. The event’s latest ballot drew more than 123,00...

Australian Grand Prix Corporation and Quint launch exclusive travel programme

18Aug

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F1 & Motorsport, Sports Business

Australian Grand Prix Corporation and Quint launch exclusive travel programme

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) has launched a new travel package programme for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, in partnership with Quint Australia, a provider of official travel, hospitality and experience programmes. Known as Australian Grand Prix Corporation Travel, the exclusive travel programme will provide fans of Formula 1® and MotoGP™ with access to ticket, hotel, travel and experience packages, designed to enhance event attendance and create long lasting memories. Launching for the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix from 5-8 March 2026, the travel programme will aim to increase interstate and international travel to AGPC events, expanding on the tourism and economic benefits to Victoria. Operating und...

Marathon travel: 2025 Kangaroo Island Marathon in South Australia

10Jul

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Events, Trips & Experiences

Marathon travel: 2025 Kangaroo Island Marathon in South Australia

Marathon Tours & Travel (MTT) is gearing up for its highly anticipated 2025 Kangaroo Island Marathon – scheduled for Sunday 24 August 2025 in the heart of Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Originally launched in 2015 and acquired by MTT in 2024, the Kangaroo Island Marathon now forms a key part of its global Seven Continents Club adventure series. The course offers runners a spectacular journey through regenerating flora and fauna in this beautiful post‑bushfire landscape, undulating roads and trails, dramatic Southern Ocean coastlines, and the iconic Remarkable Rocks boardwalk. To ensure competitors have a seamless journey to the event, Marathon Tours and Travel offer flexible travel options, including: 3‑night Premium Packages (AU only): with...

3Jul

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Asia & Oceania, Destination Guides

Brisbane: a sports travel city guide

Sun-soaked, laid-back, and brimming with sporting pride, Brisbane is one of Australia’s most exciting destinations for sports travel. With a strong calendar of major events, top-tier teams across multiple codes, and a stunning subtropical setting, Brisbane combines elite sport with an outdoorsy lifestyle, scenic river views, and easy access to beaches, islands, and hinterland hikes. And with the 2032 Summer Olympic Games on the horizon, the city is investing billions into sports infrastructure and tourism – making now the perfect time to visit. The Lions head to the Suncorp One of Brisbane’s biggest sporting events in 2025 will be hosting the 1st Test match between Australia and the British & Irish Lions – a combined team of the best international rugby union players from Englan...

NFL expands international series with games in Dublin and Melbourne

9Feb

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NFL expands international series with games in Dublin and Melbourne

Ahead of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, the National Football League (NFL) has announced a major expansion of its international series with regular-season games set to be played for the first time in Dublin, Ireland, in 2025, and in Melbourne, Australia in 2026. The expansion not only accelerates the NFL’s global ambitions, but will boost the economies of both cities through international visitation and showcasing the tourism and sporting highlights of each destination. Held in partnership with the Government of Ireland and Dublin City Council, the 2025 NFL Dublin game will take place at Croke Park, the largest sporting arena in Ireland and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). The Pittsburgh Steelers will play as the designated team for the historic first regular-seaso...

Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia set to generate AUS$1.3bn in visitor expenditure

30Jan

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Events, Sports Business

Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia set to generate AUS$1.3bn in visitor expenditure

World Rugby has unveiled the seven host cities for the 11th edition of the men’s Rugby World Cup, taking place in Australia from 1 October to 13 November 2027. With 250,000 international visitors expected over the six-week period, the tournament is projected to generate AUS$1.3 billion in direct visitor expenditure across the country and seven host cities, while inspiring a nation to embrace rugby, aiming for 200,000 participants by 2029. Selected for their vibrant culture, world-class hospitality and scenic landmarks, the Rugby World Cup 2027 host cities are: Adelaide | Tarntanya Brisbane | Meeanjin Melbourne | Narrm Newcastle | Awabakal-Worimi Perth | Boorloo Sydney | Gadigal Townsville | Gurambilbarra Perth | Boorloo will play host to the anticipa...

Marathon Tours & Travel release 2025 ‘Aussie Challenge’ packages

28Dec

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Bucket List, Trips & Experiences

Marathon Tours & Travel release 2025 ‘Aussie Challenge’ packages

Running travel specialists Marathon Tours & Travel has released travel packages for two of Australia’s most celebrated marathons in 2025: the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by Asics and the Kangaroo Island Marathon. With only a week separating the two events, participants can also choose to take on the ultimate running adventure by combining both events in the unique ‘Aussie Challenge’. Now an official Abbott World Marathon Major, the 2025 iteration of TCS Sydney Marathon takes place on Sunday 31 August. As one of only seven World Marathon Majors, it promises an electric atmosphere, world-class competition, and the chance to run past some of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks, including the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Just a week before the TCS Sydney Marathon, on Sunday 24...

The Ashes 2025-2026: Australia vs. England Test dates and venues

21Dec

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Event Guides

The Ashes 2025-2026: Australia vs. England Test dates and venues

The Ashes, cricket's most storied rivalry, traces its origins to a match played at The Oval in 1882 when Australia secured their first-ever Test win on English soil. A satirical obituary in The Sporting Times lamented the "death of English cricket", sparking the creation of the symbolic urn that represents Ashes supremacy. Since then, this biennial series between England and Australia has become a showcase of cricketing excellence and fierce competition. The Ashes 2025-2026 series between Australia and England promises another thrilling chapter in this saga. Hosted by Australia, who are the current holders of the Ashes having retained them with a draw in 2023, the series will feature five Test matches at iconic venues, beginning with the opener at Perth Stadium from 21-25 November 2025....

Sydney Marathon confirmed as seventh Abbott World Marathon Major

17Nov

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Sydney Marathon confirmed as seventh Abbott World Marathon Major

Abbott World Marathon Majors has confirmed that the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS will join the series in 2025 to become the seventh event in the Abbott World Marathon Majors series. The TCS Sydney Marathon, which will take place on Sunday 31 August 2025, joins six races including the Tokyo Marathon, the Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, the TCS London Marathon, the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the TCS New York City Marathon as part of the global marathon series. The Sydney Marathon is the largest marathon in Oceania and saw a record 20,272 finishers during its 2024 race, allowing it to pass its second consecutive assessment and become an Abbott World Marathon Major. Dawna Stone, CEO of AbbottWMM, said: “I am thrilled that Sydn...

Aqua Rugby Festival: a ‘sporting phenomenon’ in Sydney, Australia

28Sep

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Events, Sports Travel

Aqua Rugby Festival: a ‘sporting phenomenon’ in Sydney, Australia

With “big hits” and even “bigger splashes”, Aqua Rugby has been described as Australia’s newest “sporting phenomenon”. Taking place at Manly Cove in Sydney, Australia from 10-12 November 2022, the three-day Aqua Rugby Festival will see matches played on a 30m x 30m floating pontoon pitch with tries scored by jumping into the ocean. Think of it as rugby’s full contact and fast pace combined with Olympic-style dives and NFL-inspired celebrations. The teams, professional and amateur, feature five players plus reserves and games are played for ten minutes – five-minute halves with two minutes for half time. Over the weekend there will be men’s and women’s knockout competitions as well as a number of exhibition matches. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_QNk0NRI2o Fans will be able...

Sydney Marathon enters race to join Abbott World Marathon Majors

30Jul

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Events, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Sydney Marathon enters race to join Abbott World Marathon Majors

Sydney is on track to join the most high-profile marathon cities in the world, with the Blackmores Sydney Marathon officially announced as a candidate for the Abbott World Marathon Majors series – the first marathon in Oceania to be nominated. To become a major, the Sydney Marathon will be required to meet “strict criteria over a three-year period”, said worldmarathonmajors.com. If successful, it will join an esteemed group of races – Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon, TCS London Marathon, BMW-Berlin Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and TCS New York City Marathon – as a new member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2025. Stuart Ayres, the New South Wales minister for tourism and sport, said the candidacy acknowledges the Sydney Marathon as a world-class event with one of...

2026 Commonwealth Games to generate AU$3bn for Victoria’s economy

16Apr

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Events, Sports Business, Sports Travel

2026 Commonwealth Games to generate AU$3bn for Victoria’s economy

Victoria has been confirmed as the host destination for the 2026 Commonwealth Games – and it’s estimated that the major sporting event will generate more than AU$3billion to the economy in the Australian state. Victoria 2026 will be held across multiple regions, creating a new multi-city model for the Commonwealth Games. Four regional hubs will be established in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland, each with its own athletes’ village and sports program. The hubs will also host athletes, officials and fans following an opening ceremony at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, using Melbourne as the gateway to regional Victoria. Shepparton, in northern Victoria, will also host sporting and cultural events as part of Victoria 2026. There will also be a strong para-sports programme,...

Accor Stadium: hotel group wins naming rights for Sydney’s Stadium Australia

27Nov

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Sports Business, Sports Travel, Venues & Stadiums

Accor Stadium: hotel group wins naming rights for Sydney’s Stadium Australia

Hotel and hospitality group Accor has signed a seven-year naming rights deal for Stadium Australia – the iconic venue in Sydney’s Olympic Park. Now named the Accor Stadium, it was the centrepiece of the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games and has a capacity of 100,000 spectators for concerts and more than 80,000 for seated sporting events. The stadium has previously hosted major sporting events such as rugby league’s State of Origin, National Rugby League Grand Finals, Fifa World Cup qualifiers, rugby union’s Bledisloe Cup, and British & Irish Lions rugby Test matches. Natalie Ward, minister for sport of the New South Wales (NSW) Government, said: “NSW is open for business and we are thrilled our local fans, along with interstate and international visitors, will be able to...

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach: iconic surfing event cancelled for 2021 – will return in 2022

18Feb

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Events, Sports Business

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach: iconic surfing event cancelled for 2021 – will return in 2022

World Surf League (WSL) has announced that the 2021 edition of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach has been cancelled for 2021 but will return in 2022 after a new three-year deal was agreed with partners Rip Curl and the Victorian Government in Australia. The WSL was unable to secure a pre-approved bubble in Victoria ahead of the event, leaving significant risk attached to sudden public health measures in reaction to Covid-19 such as lockdowns, state border restrictions, and event cancellations. The WSL respects and understands the decision of the Victorian Government in this challenging time. Andrew Stark, WSL Asia Pacific general manager, said: “It was an extremely difficult decision to cancel one of the most iconic events on the Championship Tour. “However, we are genuinely exc...

Australia wins right to host the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup

29Mar

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Events, Sports Business

Australia wins right to host the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup

Amid the cancellations and postponements of many major sporting events in 2020, there is some good news from the world of women’s basketball. FIBA, the sport’s global governing body, has announced that Australia will host the Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2022. Basketball Australia and the Russian Basketball Federation were the two candidate countries vying to host the flagship tournament. Following a video conference it was confirmed that Australia will host the event for a second time. The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will be held for ten days in September and October 2022. A total of 38 matches featuring 12 international teams will be played in two venues in Sydney’s Olympic Park. Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media What the officials said Hamane Nian...

WSL Sydney Surf Pro in Manly to generate AUD$3.7m and 25,000 visitor nights

20Nov

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Sports Business, Sports Travel

WSL Sydney Surf Pro in Manly to generate AUD$3.7m and 25,000 visitor nights

Manly beach in Sydney, Australia, will host the World Surf League’s newest event – the Sydney Surf Pro – for the next three years. The NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, has secured the event exclusively for Sydney as part of the new global WSL Challenger Series. The WSL Sydney Surf Pro will include men’s and women’s events and is locked in for Manly from 2020 to 2022, with the first event to take place between 8-14 March next year. James Griffin, member for Manly, said: “Manly staged the first-ever world championships in May 1964, and in March this year our iconic four-kilometre beach attracted 11-time world champion Kelly Slater to compete. “Where better to kick off the WSL Challenger Series than in the hub of surf culture that is Manly?” ...

UK travel agents appointed for ICC T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia

27Jul

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Trips & Experiences

UK travel agents appointed for ICC T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia

Australia will host two International Cricket Council (ICC) Twenty20 (T20) World Cups in 2020 with both the men’s and women’s tournaments taking place Down Under. The women’s event is from 21 February to 8 March, followed by the men’s from 18 October to 15 November. ICC Travel & Tours has appointed 19 official travel agents to cater for fans from all over the world, who are now able to book their experience. Travel packages available through ICC Travel & Tours offer a wide range of ticket-inclusive packages. Fans in the UK can buy T20 World Cup packages from three official travel companies: Gullivers Sports Travel, ST Sports and International Cricket Tours. Official travel packages include match tickets combined with travel services and/or accommodation. Nick Hockle...