List of international sports events in Australia


Australia has a rich history of bidding for and hosting major international multi-sport events and world championships. It has hosted two Summer Olympics, one Summer Paralympics and three Commonwealth Games.

Background

provides funding for the hosting of major sports events in Australia. It provided $247.3 million in funding for the hosting of the 2000 Sydney Olympics and Paralympics. In recent years, it has provided funding to 2015 Asian Cup, 2015 Cricket World Cup, 2015 Netball World Cup and 2018 Commonwealth Games. For the 2015 Cricket World Cup, it provided $14 million in funding. Its objectives in providing funding were to
inspire Australian children to be active as well as providing a boost to the economy. The event held in both Australia and New Zealand was expected to inject $360 million directly into both economies.
Several Australian state and territory governments have established major event organisations to assist in the bidding and financing for major international sporting events in Australia. Their objectives are to improve their economies through tourism and further develop community and sporting facilities. Examples of these organisations are Victorian Major Events Company, Events New South Wales and Tourism and Events Queensland.
The cost of bidding and hosting sporting events has sometimes come under scrutiny. It was reported that Melbourne's 2014 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix cost taxpayers almost $60 million. This was an additional $9.3 million than 2013 and due to declining ticket sales and increased costs. Australia unsuccessfully bidded for he 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2022 FIFA World Cups. The bid was managed by Football Federation Australia and was granted $42 million in Australian Government funding. The bid came under scrutiny as only one vote out of 22 of the FIFA Executive Committee members was obtained and the ethics of Australia's bidding process.

International multi-sport competitions

Includes international multi-sport events that are held on a regular schedule.
YearDatesInternational EventCitySportsCountriesCompetitorsAttendance---
19385–12 FebruaryBritish Empire GamesSydney815464---
195622 November – 8 DecemberSummer Olympic GamesMelbourne17723,3141,341,483---
196222 November – 1 DecemberBritish Empire and Commonwealth GamesPerth, Western Australia935863224,987---
196210–17 NovemberCommonwealth Paraplegic GamesPerth, Western Australia14993n/a---
197720–27 NovemberFESPIC GamesSydney1215310n/a---
198230 September – 9 OctoberCommonwealth GamesBrisbane, Queensland11461,583481,313---
198526 January – 5 FebruaryAustralia GamesMelbourne24311,84892,767---
199426 September – 8 October 1994World Masters GamesBrisbane, Queensland307424,500n/a---
199526 February – 4 MarchWorld Police and Fire GamesMelbourne62446,820n/a---
199729 September – 5 OctoberWorld Transplant GamesSydney581,000 n/a---
200015 September – 1 OctoberSummer Olympic GamesSydney2819910,6516.7 million tickets sold---
200018–29 OctoberSummer Paralympic GamesSydney201273,8461,159,249 tickets sold---
200129 August – 9 September5th Goodwill GamesBrisbane, Queensland141300280,135---
20022–9 NovemberGay GamesSydney317712,099n/a---
20025–13 October 2002World Masters GamesMelbourne269824,886n/a---
200430 November – 3 DecemberCommonwealth Youth GamesBendigo, Victoria10241,000 n/a---
20055–16 JanuarySummer DeaflympicsMelbourne14632,038n/a---
200615–26 MarchCommonwealth GamesMelbourne17714,500 1.5 million tickets sold---
200716–25 MarchWorld Police and Fire GamesAdelaide, South Australia75608,000 n/a---
200910–18 OctoberWorld Masters GamesSydney289528,676n/a---
200922–30 AugustWorld Transplant GamesGold Coast, Queensland12990n/a---
20131–7 December 2013Special Olympics Asia Pacific GamesNewcastle, New South Wales9292,500 n/a---
20184–15 AprilCommonwealth GamesGold Coast, Queensland---
201818-29 OctoberInvictus GamesSydney, New South Wales201913- 20 MayWorld Rafting Championships
2019OctoberINAS Global GamesBrisbane, Queensland---

– estimate in reports

n/a – not applicable as event primarily for participants and low number of paying spectators
Other international multi-sport events that are held in an Australia on a regular basis are:
Includes world championships, regional championships and high profile international events. These events are held throughout the world on a regular schedule.
SportYearDatesEventCityCountriesCompetitorsAttendance
Aquatic sports – Swimming, Diving,
Water Polo, Synchronized swimming		19913–13 JanuaryFINA World ChampionshipsPerth, Western Australia59114242,000
Aquatic sports – Swimming, Diving,
Water Polo, Synchronized swimming		19988–17 JanuaryFINA World ChampionshipsPerth, Western Australia
Aquatic sports – Swimming, Diving,
Water Polo, Synchronized swimming		200718 March – 1 AprilFINA World ChampionshipsMelbourne1672,158
Athletics19854–6 OctoberIAAF World CupCanberra, Australian Capital Territory
Athletics198729 November – 6 DecemberWorld Masters Athletics ChampionshipsMelbourne
Athletics199620–25 AugustWorld Junior ChampionshipsSydney
Athletics20011–14 JulyWorld Masters Athletics ChampionshipsBrisbane, Queensland
Athletics201626 October – 6 NovemberWorld Masters Athletics ChampionshipsPerth, Western Australia
Archery19778 – 11 FebruaryWorld ChampionshipsCanberra, Australian Capital Territory
Archery1987MarchWorld ChampionshipsAdelaide, South Australia
Baseball1985Asian Baseball ChampionshipPerth, Western Australia5
Baseball198526 February – 7 MarchAsian Baseball ChampionshipPerth, Western Australia7
Basketball19942–12 JuneFIBA World Championship for WomenSydney16192
Basketball202223 Sept - 3 OctFIBA Women’s World CupSydney12-
Bowls196610–23 OctoberWorld Outdoor Championship Sydney
Bowls19694–12 DecemberWorld Outdoor Bowls Championship Sydney
Bowls198017 January – 2 FebruaryWorld Outdoor Championship Melbourne
Bowls198513 February – 4 MarchWorld Outdoor Championship Melbourne
Bowls199618–31 MarchWorld Outdoor Championships Adelaide, South Australia
Bowls20008–26 MarchWorld Outdoor Championship Moama, New South Wales
Bowls201224 November – 9 December 2012World Outdoor ChampionshipsAdelaide, South Australia31
Bowls202023 May – 7 JuneWorld Outdoor ChampionshipsGold Coast, Queensland
Boxing199115–23 NovemberWorld Amateur ChampionshipsSydney
Canoeing200530 September – 4 OctoberICF Canoe Slalom World ChampionshipsSydney
Cricket198829 November – 18 DecemberWomen's World CupAustralia
Cricket199222 February – 25 MarchMen's World CupAustralia and New Zealand9
Cricket20097–22 MarchWomen's World CupAustralia8
Cricket201514 February – 29 MarchMen's World CupAustralia and New Zealand142101,016,420
Cycling1989World BMX ChampionshipsBrisbane, Queensland
Cycling199620–22 SeptemberUCI Mountain Bike & Trials World ChampionshipsCairns, Queensland
Cycling199727–31 AugustUCI Track Cycling World ChampionshipsPerth, Western Australia
Cycling200323–27 JulyUCI BMX World ChampionshipsPerth, Western Australia
Cycling200426–30 MayUCI Track Cycling World ChampionshipsMelbourne
Cycling20091–6 SeptemberUCI Mountain Bike & Trials World ChampionshipsCanberra, Australian Capital Territory
Cycling200924–26 JulyUCI BMX World ChampionshipsAdelaide, South Australia
Cycling201029 September – 3 OctoberUCI Road World ChampionshipsMelbourne and Geelong, Victoria
Cycling20124–8 AprilUCI Track Cycling World ChampionshipsMelbourne
Cycling2017UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World ChampionshipsCairns, Queensland
Football19813–18 OctoberFIFA World Youth ChampionshipAustralia16288443,094
Football19935–20 MarchFIFA World Youth ChampionshipAustralia16288478,003
Football20159–31 JanuaryAFC Asian CupAustralia16368649,705
Football202310 July–20 August2023 FIFA Women's World CupAustralia and New Zealand32736
Gliding197412–27 JanuaryWorld ChampionshipsWaikerie, South Australia
Gliding1987World ChampionshipsBenalla, Victoria
Gliding20017–27 JanuaryWorld ChampionshipsGawler, South Australia
Gliding2016JanuaryWorld ChampionshipsBenalla, Victoria
Golf195918–21 NovemberMen's World CupMelbourne
Golf19689–12 OctoberEisenhower TrophyMelbourne
Golf19728–12 NovemberMen's World CupMelbourne4488
Golf19888–11 DecemberMen's World CupMelbourne
Golf19981–13 DecemberPresidents CupMelbourne
Golf20013–7 JanuaryWGC-Accenture Match Play ChampionshipMelbourne
Golf20077–9 DecemberLexus CupPerth
Golf200816–19 OctoberEisenhower TrophyAdelaide
Golf201117–20 NovemberPresidents CupMelbourne
Golf201321-24 NovemberWorld Cup of GolfMelbourne
Golf201624–27 NovemberWorld Cup of GolfMelbourne
Golf201822–25 NovemberWorld Cup of GolfMelbourne
Golf201912–15 DecemberPresidents CupMelbourne
Gymnastics199419–24 AprilWorld Artistic Gymnastics ChampionshipsBrisbane, Queensland54281
Gymnastics19989–11 OctoberTrampoline World ChampionshipsSydney
Gymnastics200521–27 NovemberWorld Artistic Gymnastics ChampionshipsMelbourne5330040,000
Field hockey199423 November – 4 DecemberMen's World CupSydney12
Field hockey19902 – 13 MayWomen's World CupSydney12
Field hockey200224 November – 8 DecemberWomen's World CupPerth, Western Australia16
Karate198621–25 NovemberWorld ChampionshipsSydney
Lacrosse1974World Men's ChampionshipsMelbourne4
Lacrosse1989Women's World CupPerth, Western Australia
Lacrosse1990World Men's ChampionshipsPerth, Western Australia5
Lacrosse20027–15 JulyWorld Men's ChampionshipsPerth, Western Australia16
Lifesaving1956World ChampionshipsTorquay, Victoria
Lifesaving1956World ChampionshipsTorquay, Victoria
Lifesaving1988AprilWorld ChampionshipsGold Coast, Queensland
Lifesaving2000MarchWorld ChampionshipsSydney
Lifesaving200610–26 FebruaryWorld ChampionshipsGeelong, Victoria and
Lorne, Victoria		323,497
Lifesaving20127–18 NovemberWorld ChampionshipsAdelaide, South Australia404,398
Lifesaving201626 October – 6 NovemberWorld ChampionshipsSydneyPerth, Western Australia
Modern pentathlon1966World ChampionshipsMelbourne
Modern pentathlon1985World Championships Melbourne
Netball1967World ChampionshipsPerth, Western Australia
Netball1991JulyWorld ChampionshipsSydney20
Netball20157–16 AugustWorld CupSydney
Orienteering19854–6 SeptemberWorld Orienteering ChampionshipsBendigo, Victoria
Polo2001World Polo ChampionshipMelbourne, Victoria
Polo2017tbaWorld Polo ChampionshipSydney
Roller skating199116–20 OctoberArtistic Skating World ChampionshipSydney
Roller skating200728 October – 10 NovemberArtistic Skating World ChampionshipGold Coast, Queensland
Rowing199031 October – 4 NovemberWorld Rowing ChampionshipsLake Barrington, Tasmania
Rugby league1957World CupSydney and Brisbane, Queensland
Rugby league1968World CupAustralia and New Zealand
Rugby league1977May – JuneWorld CupAustralia and New Zealand4109,688
Rugby league1985–1988World CupAustraliaSeveral countries including Australia
Rugby league1989–1992World CupAustraliaSeveral countries including Australia
Rugby league2017World CupAustralia and New Zealand
Rugby union198722 May – 20 JuneWorld CupAustralia and New Zealand16
Rugby union200310 October – 22 NovemberWorld CupAustralia206001,837,547
Rugby union2021Women's World CupNewcastle, New South Wales-
Sailing198731 January – 4 February 1987America's CupFremantle, Western Australia
Sailing20113–18 DecemberISAF World ChampionshipsPerth, Western Australia76789
Shooting19917–13 NovemberWorld Shotgun ChampionshipsPerth, Western Australia
Short track speed skating1991World ChampionshipsSydney---
Softball1965FebruaryFirst Women's World ChampionshipMelbourne
Squash197711–21 OctoberMen's World Open ChampionshipAdelaide, South Australia
Squash19834–10 OctoberWomen's World Open ChampionshipPerth, Western Australia
Squash1983OctoberMen's World Open ChampionshipAdelaide, South Australia
Squash19907–14 MarchWomen's World Open ChampionshipSydney
Squash199130 July – 4 AugustMen's World Open ChampionshipAdelaide, South Australia
Squash199713–19 OctoberWomen's World Open ChampionshipSydney
Squash200111–19 OctoberWomen's World Open ChampionshipMelbourne
Swimming1988FINA World Masters ChampionshipsBrisbane, Queensland
Swimming200818–25 AprilFINA World Masters ChampionshipsPerth, Western Australia
Triathlon199112–13 OctoberITU World ChampionshipsGold Coast, Queensland
Triathlon199716 NovemberITU World ChampionshipsPerth, Western Australia
Triathlon200030 AprilITU World ChampionshipsPerth, Western Australia
Triathlon20099–13 SeptemberITU World Championship Series Grand FinalGold Coast, Queensland
Triathlon2018ITU World Championship Series Grand FinalGold Coast, Queensland
Volleyball197512–20 AugustAsian Men's Volleyball ChampionshipMelbourne7
Volleyball199111–16 AugustAsian Men's Volleyball ChampionshipPerth, Western Australia15-
Water skiing1965World ChampionshipsGold Coast, Queensland
Water skiing2017SeptemberWorld ChampionshipsAdelaide, South Australia
Weightlifting199311–21 NovemberWorld ChampionshipsMelbourne57289-
Wheelchair rugby20185-10 AugustWorld Wheelchair Rugby ChampionshipsSydney-
Wrestling201211–21 NovemberOceania Wrestling ChampionshipsSydney-

Annual international sporting events

International events that are held in Australia annually. These events include both Australian and overseas athletes and teams.
Most national teams including Men's cricket, Southern Stars, Diamonds Socceroos, Matildas, Kookaburras, Hockeyroos, Boomers, Opals, Stingers, Sharks and Volleyroos often play international matches in Australia during the year.
SportMonth HeldEventCity
Paralympic athletics26 JanuaryOz Day 10K Wheelchair Road RaceSydney
CyclingJanuaryTour Down UnderSouth Australia
EquestrianNovemberAustralian International Three Day EventAdelaide, South Australia
GolfNovemberAustralian PGA ChampionshipQueensland
GolfNovemberAustralian MastersMelbourne
GolfNovemberAustralian OpenSydney
GolfFebruaryWomen's Australian OpenVarious cities
GolfFebruaryAustralian Ladies MastersGold Coast, Queensland
Formula OneMarchAustralian Grand PrixMelbourne
Motorcycle racingFebruarySuperbike World Championship RoundPhillip Island, Victoria
Motorcycle racingOctoberAustralian Grand PrixPhillip Island, Victoria
Rugby unionVariableSevens World SeriesVarious cities
Rugby unionJuly – AugustThe Rugby Championship Various cities
Rugby unionJuly – AugustBledisloe CupVarious cities
SurfingAprilBells Beach Surf ClassicBells Beach, Victoria
TennisJanuarySydney InternationalSydney
TennisJanuaryBrisbane InternationalBrisbane, Queensland
TennisJanuaryHobart InternationalHobart, Tasmania
TennisJanuaryAustralian Tennis OpenMelbourne
TennisJanuary – DecemberHopman CupPerth, Western Australia
SailingDecemberSydney to Hobart Yacht RaceSydney / Hobart, Tasmania