Australian Football
For a unique and truly Melbourne sporting experience, head to the MCG or Etihad Stadium to watch an AFL (Australian Football League) game. Also known as 'Aussie Rules', the popularity of the game in Victoria often approaches obsession and is the sport of choice all through winter. So rug up and revel in the excitement of one of the city's favourite pastimes.
Winter madness
The cold weather does nothing to dampen the spirits of Victoria's rabid football fans. With average matches in Melbourne sometimes attracting an almost capacity crowd of vocal, yet peaceful, supporters, this is not an experience to be missed. Time a holiday to Melbourne to coincide with your home team's visit, or if you're coming from overseas - choose a team, buy a scarf and join with all the other screaming fans.
The winner's trophy
Played in the winter months from March to September, AFL games are held on Friday nights, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Over 23 weeks of the year, 18 teams from all over Australia battle it out for their spot in the final eight and the chance to progress through September's final series into the AFL Grand Final – when thousands of fans pack the stands of the MCG. Millions more tune in around the country and around the world, via satellite, for a piece of the action.
25 - 27 May 2012
Don your team's colours and head to the hallowed MCG or Etihad Stadium to get caught up in the fervour of round 9 of the 2012 AFL Premiership Season.
Read more
1 - 3 June 2012
Barrack hard as your team hits round 10 of the AFL Premiership Season, at the MCG and Etihad Stadium in Melbourne and Simonds Stadium in Geelong.
Read more
8 - 9 June 2012
Don your team's colours and head to the hallowed MCG or Etihad Stadium to get caught up in the fervour of round 11 of the 2012 AFL Premiership Season.
Read more
17 Jun 2012
Don your team's colours and head to the hallowed MCG or Etihad Stadium to get caught up in the fervour of round 12 of the 2012 AFL Premiership Season.
Read more
23 - 24 June 2012
Don your team's colours and head to the hallowed MCG or Etihad Stadium to get caught up in the fervour of round 13 of the 2012 AFL Premiership Season.
Read more
29 Jun - 1 Jul 2012
Barrack hard as your team hits round 14 of the AFL Premiership Season, at the MCG and Etihad Stadium in Melbourne and Simonds Stadium in Geelong.
Read more
6 - 8 July 2012
Don your team's colours and head to the hallowed MCG or Etihad Stadium to get caught up in the fervour of round 15 of the 2012 AFL Premiership Season.
Read more
13 - 15 July 2012
Don your team's colours and head to the hallowed MCG or Etihad Stadium to get caught up in the fervour of round 16 of the 2012 AFL Premiership Season.
Read more
20 - 22 July 2012
Barrack hard as your team hits round 17 of the AFL Premiership Season, at the MCG and Etihad Stadium in Melbourne and Simonds Stadium in Geelong.
Read more
27 - 29 July 2012
Barrack hard as your team hits round 18 of the AFL Premiership Season, at the MCG and Etihad Stadium in Melbourne and Simonds Stadium in Geelong.
Read more
3 - 5 August 2012
Don your team's colours and head to the hallowed MCG or Etihad Stadium to get caught up in the fervour of round 19 of the 2012 AFL Premiership Season.
Read more
11 - 12 August 2012
Don your team's colours and head to the hallowed MCG or Etihad Stadium to get caught up in the fervour of round 20 of the 2012 AFL Premiership Season.
Read more
17 - 19 August 2012
Don your team's colours and head to the hallowed MCG or Etihad Stadium to get caught up in the fervour of round 21 of the 2012 AFL Premiership Season.
Read more
24 - 26 August 2012
Barrack hard as your team hits round 22 of the AFL Premiership Season, at the MCG and Etihad Stadium in Melbourne and Simonds Stadium in Geelong.
Read more
7 - 29 September 2012 (dates to be confirmed)
Choose a team, scoff a meat pie and barrack hard with passionate Melburnians at this spectacular crescendo of 22 weeks of the Aussie Rules season.
Read more