Sport in Sydney

The Sydney side of sport

Push your limits on a marathon. Connect with your community at a local match. Shoot hoops with friends. Watch a blockbuster game that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The Sydney sports calendar is jam-packed with a wide variety of thrilling events, from cricket, netball, football and rugby to motorsports, sailing, surfing and golf. Embrace your competitive side and join the action.

Must-see events

Summer

Cricket, tennis and water sports take top billing in Sydney during the warmer months. One-dayers, test matches and Big Bash games are held regularly at the Sydney Cricket Ground, as well as a fixture from the Ashes tournament in January. United Cup takes place at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney Olympic Park from 29 December – 8 January, with the best tennis players from 18 countries competing for the title.

The United Cup in Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park

On the water, the famous Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is one of Australia’s most iconic sporting events. Held on December 26 each year, crowds line the harbour foreshore and beaches to watch the dramatic start of this famously tough race. You can also find regular surf competitions at Sydney’s top beaches and rowing at the International Regatta Centre in Penrith.

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Sydney Harbour

You can also catch the HSBC Sydney Sevens in January 2023. This fast-paced version of rugby union has just seven players on each team, playing two seven-minute halves. The weekend tournament has a festival feel with live music, family entertainment and fans in crazy costumes.

Winter

Winter means football – in all its forms. The National Rugby League (NRL) season runs from March to October, and with eight clubs based in Sydney, there are plenty of home games to attend. You can watch one game of the NRL State of Origin series, a three-match competition between NSW and QLD, in Sydney.

State of Origin, ANZ Stadium

AFL, also called Aussie Rules, is played from March to September and the two Sydney teams play at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Giants Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park. If you prefer rugby union, you can watch the NSW Waratahs play in the Super Rugby competition and the Australian national team, the Wallabies, frequently play major international matches in Sydney.