Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australia. The proud birthplace of Aussie Rules footy, Melbourne also hosts blockbuster sporting events such as the Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Boxing Day Test, and the race that stops the nation, the Melbourne Cup. But this sports-mad town doesn't just spectate! Sport is an integral part of the city's DNA, ingrained in daily life. Many Melburnians love to stay active. Whether they're playing team sports after work or on the weekends or prefer solo pursuits such as swimming, running or bushwalking, there's a sport to watch and a sport to play for everybody in Melbourne.
Popular sports in Melbourne
Football
The number one sport in Melbourne is . Footy is played in cities around the country from March to the Grand Final, which is traditionally held in Melbourne on the last Saturday in September (although some Grand Finals have been played in October as well). Grand Final Day is a big deal for the city — even if you're not into footy, you'll undoubtedly know about it. The day before the Grand Final is even a public holiday! AFL matches in Melbourne are held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and Marvel Stadium, with some games drawing crowds of around 100,000. Melburnians often grow up following the family tradition of supporting the same team, and footy is the stuff of water cooler conversation at work or banter at the pub. There are 18 clubs in the competition, which started in Melbourne as the VFL. After it became the AFL in 1990, interstate teams joined the Melbourne originals, spreading footy fever nationwide.
Cricket
Then, once the footy's over, sports fanatics don't have to dwell in their depression for too long before the cricket starts up. In Melbourne, cricket is a summer sport, and the MCG hosts international test matches, including the iconic Boxing Day Test Match, as well as one-day internationals. Plus, there are T20 internationals, the domestic Big Bash League, which features two Melbourne teams, and Sheffield Shield domestic test cricket.
Other sports
Other large spectator sports include rugby league, with Victoria's first-ever professional rugby league team, the , enjoying major success in the . Another hugely successful spectator sport, which typically runs from late October to late May, is A-League Men's soccer. Melbourne has two teams, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City FC, and the game has a huge following in Melbourne thanks to the city's multicultural population.
The was launched in Australia back in 1979 with 10 teams from across the country. These days, there are nine Australian teams and one from New Zealand, with the comp running during the warmer months and featuring and South East Melbourne Phoenix. Melbourne United attracts up to 10,000 people to their games.
So, if you're a newcomer to Melbourne, there are lots of ways to immerse yourself in our sporting culture. Be sure to get along to a footy match during your time in town, if for nothing but the experience. It's loud, and it's fast, and it's a lot of fun. And you never know; you might just end up a one-eyed supporter yourself, with a membership to boot!
Women's sport in Melbourne
Women's footy
Women's sport is experiencing a long-overdue surge in both exposure and attendance. Women's footy is now televised in Australia, with more than 50,000 spectators attending the 2019 Grand Final at Adelaide Oval. The debuted in 2017 with eight teams, expanding to 18 in 2022, which brought the number of teams in line with those of the men's league.
Women's soccer
And women's soccer has recently exploded thanks to the success of the Aussie women's soccer team on the international stage. During the Olympics and the FIFA Women's World Cup, millions of eyes around the country were glued to their TV screens to cheer on the . The team has inspired a massive surge in Aussie girls signing up to play soccer and boosted attendance numbers for crowds attending domestic league matches.
Women's basketball
Basketball is another popular sport for girls and women in Australia, with more than , representing a 25% increase since 2022. The is the longest-running elite female sporting competition in the country. Melbourne is also home to two Women's Big Bash League cricket teams, including the Melbourne Renegades, who finished first in the 2024-2025 season. The increasing popularity of women's cricket was evident during the ICC Women's T20 International World Cup cricket final between Australia and India in 2020, where 86,000 fans smashed the world record for women's cricket attendance.
Netball
But by far the most popular sport for girls and women is netball. In Australia, girls usually join a team during primary school and continue throughout their secondary education. There has been a national netball league in Australia for many years, but the now draws more fans than any other women's sport. The are Victoria's premier netball team, often selling out matches at John Cain Arena, which holds 10,500 people.
Community sports in Melbourne
Weekends in Melbourne are for sports. Victoria is the number one spot in the country for community sporting clubs, so whether it's kids' sport, teen sport or sport for adults, weekends are for getting active. Netball, basketball, soccer, footy, or cricket — stadiums and ovals across the city are packed on Saturdays and Sundays with children and their parents competing and socializing.
And despite the climate not being as hospitable as Sydney's, Melbourne youngsters definitely make time for Nippers. While surf lifesaving culture is more prevalent in coastal towns around Victoria, Melbourne still has where kids can learn water safety in preparation to potentially become lifesavers.
And while swimming in the Yarra River is a no-no, rowing on it is commonplace. The sport of rowing is well-established in Melbourne, and you'll often see crews going through their paces in the early mornings and late afternoons. Popular with private schools, recreational rowers and Olympic hopefuls, there are numerous with boathouses along the banks of the Yarra if you're keen to check out the sport.
Community sport is a great way to meet new people while staying active. Whether you join an adult sporting club to learn a new sport or take up something you already enjoy playing, your shared passion will make an excellent icebreaker. And kids' sports are ideal for helping both children and their parents build their social network.
Solo sports in Melbourne
Going to the gym is a regular part of life in Melbourne. However, if you're not interested in group exercise classes or weightlifting, you can also book a Pilates or yoga class at your local gym. Most suburbs will have a gym or two, and if you're new in town, joining a class with locals is a great way to meet people.
Swimming is also a popular way to keep fit, and there is typically an in most local council areas, some featuring both indoor and outdoor pools. Swimming lessons are a part of growing up in Australia, so most parents will spend some time each week either in the pool with their little ones or watching from the sidelines. In addition to lap pools, local aquatic centers also offer fitness classes for local residents.
You'll also see Melburnians out running or walking, with or without a buddy. Long referred to as the 'Garden State,' Victoria is flush with parks and gardens, and Melbourne boasts some popular running tracks, including the Tan around the on the edge of the city and .
Tennis is popular with Melburnians of all ages, and interest in the sport reaches fever pitch in January when the world's best battle it out at the Australian Open tournament in the sizzling heat. Lots of people sign up at their local club solo, which is a great way to make new friends. Tennis is a great community sport that encompasses all ages and abilities. The is an excellent resource for finding a court to have a hit or securing an instructor for lessons.
And if you're driving around Melbourne, you're bound to come across lycra-clad cyclists, especially on the weekends. Cycling solo or in groups is a common weekend activity, and if road cycling is your thing, there are several popular routes to try around the city and its surrounding suburbs. Melbourne is also home to a diverse network of , which is a great day out for the whole family, and for those who love a bit of adventure in nature, there are plenty of around Melbourne as well.
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