# 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 four Commonwealth Games.

## Background

Australian Government 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.
| Year | Dates | International Event | City | Sports | Countries | Competitors | Attendance |
| 1938 | 5–12 February | British Empire Games | Sydney | 8 | 15 | 464 | |
| 1956 | 22 November – 8 December | Summer Olympic Games | Melbourne | 17 | 72 | 3,314 | 1,341,483 |
| 1962 | 22 November – 1 December | British Empire and Commonwealth Games | Perth, Western Australia | 9 | 35 | 863 | 224,987 |
| 1962 | 10–17 November | Commonwealth Paraplegic Games | Perth, Western Australia | 14 | 9 | 93 | n/a |
| 1977 | 20–27 November | FESPIC Games | Sydney | 12 | 15 | 310 | n/a |
| 1982 | 30 September – 9 October | Commonwealth Games | Brisbane, Queensland | 11 | 46 | 1,583 | 481,313 |
| 1985 | 26 January – 5 February | Australia Games | Melbourne | 24 | 31 | 1,848 | 92,767 |
| 1994 | 26 September – 8 October 1994 | World Masters Games | Brisbane, Queensland | 30 | 74 | 24,500 | n/a |
| 1995 | 26 February – 4 March | World Police and Fire Games | Melbourne | 62 | 44 | 6,820 | n/a |
| 1997 | 29 September – 5 October | World Transplant Games | Sydney | | 58 | 1,000 (est) | n/a |
| 2000 | 15 September – 1 October | Summer Olympic Games | Sydney | 28 | 199 | 10,651 | 6.7 million tickets sold |
| 2000 | 18–29 October | Summer Paralympic Games | Sydney | 20 | 127 | 3,846 | 1,159,249 tickets sold |
| 2001 | 29 August – 9 September | 5th Goodwill Games | Brisbane, Queensland | | 14 | 1300 | 280,135 |
| 2002 | 2–9 November | Gay Games | Sydney | 31 | 77 | 12,099 | n/a |
| 2002 | 5–13 October 2002 | World Masters Games | Melbourne | 26 | 98 | 24,886 | n/a |
| 2004 | 30 November – 3 December | Commonwealth Youth Games | Bendigo, Victoria | 10 | 24 | 1,000 (est) | n/a |
| 2005 | 5–16 January | Summer Deaflympics | Melbourne | 14 | 63 | 2,038 | n/a |
| 2006 | 15–26 March | Commonwealth Games | Melbourne | 17 | 71 | 4,500 (est) | 1.5 million tickets sold |
| 2007 | 16–25 March | World Police and Fire Games | Adelaide, South Australia | 75 | 60 | 8,000 (est) | n/a |
| 2009 | 10–18 October | World Masters Games | Sydney | 28 | 95 | 28,676 | n/a |
| 2009 | 22–30 August | World Transplant Games | Gold Coast, Queensland | 12 | | 990 | n/a |
| 2013 | 1–7 December 2013 | Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games | Newcastle, New South Wales | 9 | 29 | 2,500 (est) | n/a |
| 2018 | 4–15 April | Commonwealth Games | Gold Coast, Queensland | 18 | 71 | 4,426 | 1.2 million tickets |
| 2018 | 18-29 October | Invictus Games | Sydney, New South Wales | 12 | 18 | 500 estimated | |
| 2019 | October | INAS Global Games | Brisbane, Queensland | 10 | 47 | 1000 | |
| 2023 | 15 - 21 April | World Transplant Games | Perth, Western Australia | | | | |
| 2026 | To be determined | XXIII Commonwealth Games | Victoria (Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Gippsland), Australia | | | | |
| 2032 | To be determined | 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games | Brisbane, Queensland | | | | |
| 2032 | To be determined | 2032 Brisbane Paralympic Games | Brisbane, Queensland | | | | |
(est) – 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:
* Australian Youth Olympic Festival – commenced in 2007 and is biannual event organised by the Australian Olympic Committee. invited.
* Arafura Games – commenced in 1991 and is biannual event held in Darwin, Northern Territory. Athletes with a disability are invited to compete. It was not held in 2013.

## International sports championships

Includes world championships, regional championships and high-profile international events. These events are held throughout the world on a regular schedule.
| Sport | Year | Dates | Event | City | Countries | Competitors | Attendance |
| Aquatic sports – Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Synchronized swimming | 1991 | 3–13 January | FINA World Championships | Perth, Western Australia | 59 | 1142 | 42,000 |
| Aquatic sports – Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Synchronized swimming | 1998 | 8–17 January | FINA World Championships | Perth, Western Australia | | | |
| Aquatic sports – Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Synchronized swimming | 2007 | 18 March – 1 April | FINA World Championships | Melbourne | 167 | 2,158 | |
| Athletics | 1985 | 4–6 October | IAAF World Cup | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | | | |
| Athletics | 1987 | 29 November – 6 December | World Masters Athletics Championships | Melbourne | | | |
| Athletics | 1996 | 20–25 August | World Junior Championships | Sydney | | | |
| Athletics | 2001 | 1–14 July | World Masters Athletics Championships | Brisbane, Queensland | | | |
| Athletics | 2016 | 26 October – 6 November | World Masters Athletics Championships | Perth, Western Australia | | | |
| Athletics | 2023 | 18 February | World Athletics Cross Country Championships | Bathurst, New South Wales | | | |
| Archery | 1977 | 8 – 11 February | World Championships | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | | | |
| Archery | 1987 | March | World Championships | Adelaide, South Australia | | | |
| Baseball | 1985 | | Asian Baseball Championship | Perth, Western Australia | 5 | | |
| Baseball | 1985 | 26 February – 7 March | Asian Baseball Championship | Perth, Western Australia | 7 | | |
| Basketball | 1994 | 2–12 June | FIBA World Championship for Women | Sydney | 16 | 192 | |
| Basketball | 2022 | 23 Sept - 3 Oct | FIBA Women's World Cup | Sydney | 12 | |
| Bowls | 1966 | 10–23 October | World Outdoor Championship (Men) | Sydney | | | |
| Bowls | 1969 | 4–12 December | World Outdoor Bowls Championship (Women) | Sydney | | | |
| Bowls | 1980 | 17 January – 2 February | World Outdoor Championship (Men) | Melbourne | | | |
| Bowls | 1985 | 13 February – 4 March | World Outdoor Championship (Women) | Melbourne | | | |
| Bowls | 1996 | 18–31 March | World Outdoor Championships (Men) | Adelaide, South Australia | | | |
| Bowls | 2000 | 8–26 March | World Outdoor Championship (Women) | Moama, New South Wales | | | |
| Bowls | 2012 | 24 November – 9 December 2012 | World Outdoor Championships | Adelaide, South Australia | 31 | | |
| Bowls | 2020 | 23 May – 7 June | World Outdoor Championships | Gold Coast, Queensland | | | |
| Boxing | 1991 | 15–23 November | World Amateur Championships | Sydney | | | |
| Canoeing | 2005 | 30 September – 4 October | ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships | Sydney | | | |
| Canoeing | 2025 | | ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships | Sydney | | | |
| Cricket | 1988 | 29 November – 18 December | Women's World Cup | Australia | | | |
| Cricket | 1992 | 22 February – 25 March | Men's World Cup | Australia and New Zealand | 9 | | |
| Cricket | 2009 | 7–22 March | Women's World Cup | Australia | 8 | | |
| Cricket | 2015 | 14 February – 29 March | Men's World Cup | Australia and New Zealand | 14 | 210 | 1,016,420 (20,743 per match) |
| Cricket | 2020 | 21 February - 8 March | ICC Women's T20 World Cup | Australia | 10 | 150 | 136,549 (86,174 final) |
| Cricket | 2022 | 16 October -13 November. | ICC Men's T20 World Cup | Australia | 16 | | |
| Cycling | 1989 | | World BMX Championships | Brisbane, Queensland | | | |
| Cycling | 1996 | 20–22 September | UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships | Cairns, Queensland | | | |
| Cycling | 1997 | 27–31 August | UCI Track Cycling World Championships | Perth, Western Australia | | | |
| Cycling | 2003 | 23–27 July | UCI BMX World Championships | Perth, Western Australia | | | |
| Cycling | 2004 | 26–30 May | UCI Track Cycling World Championships | Melbourne | | | |
| Cycling | 2009 | 1–6 September | UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | | | |
| Cycling | 2009 | 24–26 July | UCI BMX World Championships | Adelaide, South Australia | | | |
| Cycling | 2010 | 29 September – 3 October | UCI Road World Championships | Melbourne and Geelong, Victoria | | | |
| Cycling | 2012 | 4–8 April | UCI Track Cycling World Championships | Melbourne | | | |
| Cycling | 2017 | | UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships | Cairns, Queensland | | | |
| Cycling | 2022 | 18 - 25 September | UCI Road World Championships | Wollongong, New South Wales | | | |
| Cycling | 2026 | | UCI BMX World Championships | Brisbane, Queensland | | | |
| Football | 1981 | 3–18 October | FIFA World Youth Championship | Australia | 16 | 288 | 443,094 |
| Football | 1993 | 5–20 March | FIFA World Youth Championship | Australia | 16 | 288 | 478,003 |
| Football | 2015 | 9–31 January | AFC Asian Cup | Australia | 16 | 368 | 649,705 |
| Football | 2023 | 10 July–20 August | 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup | Australia and New Zealand | 32 | 736 | |
| Gliding | 1974 | 12–27 January | World Championships | Waikerie, South Australia | | | |
| Gliding | 1987 | | World Championships | Benalla, Victoria | | | |
| Gliding | 2001 | 7–27 January | World Championships | Gawler, South Australia | | | |
| Gliding | 2016 | January | World Championships | Benalla, Victoria | | | |
| Golf | 1959 | 18–21 November | Men's World Cup | Melbourne | | | |
| Golf | 1968 | 9–12 October | Eisenhower Trophy | Melbourne | | | |
| Golf | 1972 | 8–12 November | Men's World Cup | Melbourne | 44 | 88 | |
| Golf | 1988 | 8–11 December | Men's World Cup | Melbourne | | | |
| Golf | 1998 | 1–13 December | Presidents Cup | Melbourne | | | |
| Golf | 2001 | 3–7 January | WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship | Melbourne | | | |
| Golf | 2007 | 7–9 December | Lexus Cup | Perth | | | |
| Golf | 2008 | 16–19 October | Eisenhower Trophy | Adelaide | | | |
| Golf | 2011 | 17–20 November | Presidents Cup | Melbourne | | | |
| Golf | 2013 | 21-24 November | World Cup of Golf | Melbourne | | | |
| Golf | 2016 | 24–27 November | World Cup of Golf | Melbourne | | | |
| Golf | 2018 | 22–25 November | World Cup of Golf | Melbourne | | | |
| Golf | 2019 | 12–15 December | Presidents Cup | Melbourne | | | |
| Golf | 2028 | | Presidents Cup | Melbourne | | | |
| Golf | 2040 | | Presidents Cup | Melbourne | | | |
| Gymnastics | 1994 | 19–24 April | World Artistic Gymnastics Championships | Brisbane, Queensland | 54 | 281 | |
| Gymnastics | 1998 | 9–11 October | Trampoline World Championships | Sydney | | | |
| Gymnastics | 2005 | 21–27 November | World Artistic Gymnastics Championships | Melbourne | 53 | 300 | 40,000 |
| Field hockey | 1994 | 23 November – 4 December | Men's World Cup | Sydney | 12 | | |
| Field hockey | 1990 | 2 – 13 May | Women's World Cup | Sydney | 12 | | |
| Field hockey | 2002 | 24 November – 8 December | Women's World Cup | Perth, Western Australia | 16 | | |
| Karate | 1986 | 21–25 November | World Championships | Sydney | | | |
| Lacrosse | 1974 | | World Men's Championships | Melbourne | 4 | | |
| Lacrosse | 1989 | | Women's World Cup | Perth, Western Australia | | | |
| Lacrosse | 1990 | | World Men's Championships | Perth, Western Australia | 5 | | |
| Lacrosse | 2002 | 7–15 July | World Men's Championships | Perth, Western Australia | 16 | | |
| Lifesaving | 1956 | | World Championships | Torquay, Victoria | | | |
| Lifesaving | 1956 | | World Championships | Torquay, Victoria | | | |
| Lifesaving | 1988 | April | World Championships | Gold Coast, Queensland | | | |
| Lifesaving | 2000 | March | World Championships | Sydney | | | |
| Lifesaving | 2006 | 10–26 February | World Championships | Geelong, Victoria and Lorne, Victoria | 32 | 3,497 | |
| Lifesaving | 2012 | 7–18 November | World Championships | Adelaide, South Australia | 40 | 4,398 | |
| Lifesaving | 2016 | 26 October – 6 November | World Championships | Sydney | Perth, Western Australia | | |
| Modern pentathlon | 1966 | | World Championships | Melbourne | | | |
| Modern pentathlon | 1985 | | World Championships (Men) | Melbourne | | | |
| Netball | 1967 | | World Championships | Perth, Western Australia | | | |
| Netball | 1991 | July | World Championships | Sydney | 20 | | |
| Netball | 2015 | 7–16 August | World Cup | Sydney | | | |
| Netball | 2027 | | World Cup | Sydney | | | |
| Orienteering | 1985 | 4–6 September | World Orienteering Championships | Bendigo, Victoria | | | |
| Polo | 2001 | | World Polo Championship | Melbourne, Victoria | | | |
| Polo | 2017 | tba | World Polo Championship | Sydney | | | |
| Roller skating | 1991 | 16–20 October | Artistic Skating World Championship | Sydney | | | |
| Roller skating | 2007 | 28 October – 10 November | Artistic Skating World Championship | Gold Coast, Queensland | | | |
| Rowing | 1990 | 31 October – 4 November | World Rowing Championships | Lake Barrington, Tasmania | | | |
| Rugby league | 1957 | | World Cup | Sydney and Brisbane, Queensland | | | |
| Rugby league | 1968 | | World Cup | Australia and New Zealand | | | |
| Rugby league | 1977 | May – June | World Cup | Australia and New Zealand | 4 | | 109,688 |
| Rugby league | 1985–1988 | | World Cup | Australia | Several countries including Australia | | |
| Rugby league | 1989–1992 | | World Cup | Australia | Several countries including Australia | | |
| Rugby league | 2017 | | World Cup | Australia and New Zealand | | | |
| Rugby union | 1987 | 22 May – 20 June | World Cup | Australia and New Zealand | 16 | | |
| Rugby union | 2003 | 10 October – 22 November | World Cup | Australia | 20 | 600 | 1,837,547 |
| Rugby union | 2021 | | Women's World Cup | Newcastle, New South Wales | | |
| Rugby union | 2027 | 10 September – 23 October | 2027 Rugby World Cup | Various cities | | |
| Rugby union | 2029 | TBA | 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup | Various cities | | |
| Rafting | 2019 | World Rafting Championships | Tully, Queensland | | |
| Sailing | 1987 | 31 January – 4 February 1987 | America's Cup | Fremantle, Western Australia | | | |
| Sailing | 2011 | 3–18 December | ISAF World Championships | Perth, Western Australia | 76 | 789 | |
| Shooting | 1991 | 7–13 November | World Shotgun Championships | Perth, Western Australia | | | |
| Short track speed skating | 1991 | | World Championships | Sydney |
| Softball | 1965 | February | First Women's World Championship | Melbourne | | | |
| Squash | 1977 | 11–21 October | Men's World Open Championship | Adelaide, South Australia | | | |
| Squash | 1983 | 4–10 October | Women's World Open Championship | Perth, Western Australia | | | |
| Squash | 1983 | October | Men's World Open Championship | Adelaide, South Australia | | | |
| Squash | 1990 | 7–14 March | Women's World Open Championship | Sydney | | | |
| Squash | 1991 | 30 July – 4 August | Men's World Open Championship | Adelaide, South Australia | | | |
| Squash | 1997 | 13–19 October | Women's World Open Championship | Sydney | | | |
| Squash | 2001 | 11–19 October | Women's World Open Championship | Melbourne | | | |
| Swimming | 1988 | | FINA World Masters Championships | Brisbane, Queensland | | | |
| Swimming | 2008 | 18–25 April | FINA World Masters Championships | Perth, Western Australia | | | |
| Swimming | 2022 | 13-18 December | 2022 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) | Melbourne, Victoria | | | |
| Triathlon | 1991 | 12–13 October | ITU World Championships | Gold Coast, Queensland | | | |
| Triathlon | 1997 | 16 November | ITU World Championships | Perth, Western Australia | | | |
| Triathlon | 2000 | 30 April | ITU World Championships | Perth, Western Australia | | | |
| Triathlon | 2009 | 9–13 September | ITU World Championship Series Grand Final | Gold Coast, Queensland | | | |
| Triathlon | 2018 | | ITU World Championship Series Grand Final | Gold Coast, Queensland | | | |
| Volleyball | 1975 | 12–20 August | Asian Men's Volleyball Championship | Melbourne | 7 | | |
| Volleyball | 1991 | 11–16 August | Asian Men's Volleyball Championship | Perth, Western Australia | 15 | |
| Water skiing | 1965 | | World Championships | Gold Coast, Queensland | | | |
| Water skiing | 2017 | September | World Championships | Adelaide, South Australia | | | |
| Weightlifting | 1993 | 11–21 November | World Championships | Melbourne | 57 | 289 |
| Wheelchair rugby | 2018 | 5-10 August | World Wheelchair Rugby Championships | Sydney | | |
| Wrestling | 2012 | 11–21 November | Oceania Wrestling Championships | Sydney | | |

## 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 (women's cricket), Diamonds (women's netball) Socceroos (men's football), Matildas (women's football), Kookaburras (men's hockey), Hockeyroos (women's hockey), Boomers (men's basketball), Opals (women's basketball), Stingers (women's water polo), Sharks (men's water polo) and Volleyroos (men's volleyball) often play international matches in Australia during the year.
| Sport | Month Held | Event | City |
| Paralympic athletics | 26 January | Oz Day 10K Wheelchair Road Race | Sydney |
| Cycling | January | Tour Down Under | South Australia |
| Equestrian | November | Australian International Three Day Event | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Golf | November | Australian PGA Championship | Queensland |
| Golf | November | Australian Masters | Melbourne |
| Golf | November | Australian Open | Sydney |
| Golf | February | Women's Australian Open | Various cities |
| Golf | February | Australian Ladies Masters | Gold Coast, Queensland |
| Formula One | March | Australian Grand Prix | Melbourne |
| Motorcycle racing | February | Superbike World Championship Round | Phillip Island, Victoria |
| Motorcycle racing | October | Australian Grand Prix | Phillip Island, Victoria |
| Rugby union | Variable | Sevens World Series | Various cities |
| Rugby union | July – August | The Rugby Championship (formerly Tri Nations) | Various cities |
| Rugby union | July – August | Bledisloe Cup | Various cities |
| Surfing | April | Bells Beach Surf Classic | Bells Beach, Victoria |
| Tennis | January | Sydney International | Sydney |
| Tennis | January | Brisbane International | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Tennis | January | Hobart International | Hobart, Tasmania |
| Tennis | January | Australian Tennis Open | Melbourne |
| Tennis | January – December | Hopman Cup | Perth, Western Australia |
| Sailing | December | Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race | Sydney / Hobart, Tasmania |