Novotel Melbourne Preston - Family & Business trip hotel - 2027 Sport Calendar in Australia’s Sporting Capital

Melbourne is renowned as Australia’s sporting capital, hosting a year-round calendar of sporting events that attract fans and spectators all year round. From AFL matches at the MCG and Marvel Stadium to the Australian Open, Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and Melbourne Cup Carnival, the city offers an unrivalled lineup for local and international visitors alike.

When travelling for sport, you’ll want to centre your stay for direct access to the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Precinct, which includes Melbourne Park, Olympic Park and Yarra Park. This hub is serviced by both Jolimont train station and Richmond train station, providing convenient public transport access to major stadiums.

While many visitors automatically search for accommodation in Melbourne’s CBD, it’s worth noting that these venues sit outside Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone and approximately 3 kilometres from the city centre.

Parking is also limited and quite expensive during peak sporting events, so it is best to consider accommodation that has direct transport to the stadiums. Savvy travellers choose accommodation along the Mernda Train Line, where public transport fares remain the same while offering a quick escape away from post-match crowds and city congestion. Located in Melbourne’s inner north, Novotel Melbourne Preston provides easy access to Bell Station, connecting guests directly to Jolimont Station for Melbourne’s major sporting precinct.

Cricket in Melbourne

One of the world’s most iconic sporting venues, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is home to Cricket in Melbourne. The city hosts Cricket Test Matches, One Day Internationals, T20 Clashes and the Boxing Day Test, one of Australia’s most attended annual sporting events.

Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Brunton Avenue, Richmond VIC 3002

Season: Summer; October through to March

Getting There from Novotel Melbourne Preston by public transport: Take the Mernda Line to Jolimont Station for direct access to the MCG

Australian Open Tennis

The Australian Open takes over Melbourne every January as the first Grand Slam tournament of the year. Hosted at Melbourne Park, the tournament attracts the world’s best players alongside hundreds of thousands of spectators to enjoy numerous tennis matches consecutively on throughout a single day, music and live entertainment, pop-up dining from Melbourne’s best known restaurants and fan experiences throughout the precinct.

Where: Melbourne Park, Olympic Boulevard, Melbourne VIC 3000

Season: Summer; January

Getting There from Novotel Melbourne Preston by public transport: Direct train access to Jolimont Station places guests within walking distance of Melbourne Park.

AFL

As the birth place of Australian Rules Football in the 1858, Melbourne remains home to numerous AFL clubs, and the city hosts matches nearly every week from autumn through spring, bringing locals and fans out all through winter to cheer on their club. The MCG and Marvel Stadium rotate through teams, often with two games consecutively on one night.

The AFL season ends in late September with a Victorian Public Holiday for the AFL Grand Final Parade held on the Friday before the big game day match, one of Australia’s biggest annual sporting events.

If you’re travelling to Victoria for football, catching a game on a rainy day at Marvel Stadium will keep you dry and warm as the stadium roof closes and lights up in team colours with every goal scored, creating an electric atmosphere.

Where: MCG, Brunton Avenue Richmond VIC 3002

Marvel Stadium, 740 Bourke Street Docklands VIC 3008

Season: Autumn – Spring; March to September

Getting there from Novotel Melbourne Preston by public transport: Travel directly to Jolimont Station for MCG matches or continue two stops through the City Loop to Southern Cross Station for direct access to Marvel Stadium.

Formula 1 Grand Prix

Following the success and global fan base boom thanks to Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive To Survive, The Australian leg of the Grand Prix is a sought after ticket. Held around the picturesque Albert Park Lake, the event attracts international visitors, motorsport enthusiasts and some of the biggest names in global sport and entertainment.

Plan your travel to Victoria ahead of time. Formula 1 accommodation in Melbourne can see steep price hikes. If you’re looking for where to stay for the F1 in Melbourne consider hotels out of the city along a trainline, such as Novotel Melbourne Preston with direct train access to Melbourne City.

Where: Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, Aughtie Drive, Albert Park VIC 3206

When: Autumn; March

Getting There from Novotel Melbourne Preston by public transport: Novotel Melbourne Preston is positioned along the Mernda Train Line and will take you directly to Melbourne CBD to catch a special event tram to Albert Park Lake.

Moto GP Grand Prix

If your style of Grand Prix leans toward motorbikes, look no further than the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, held at the picturesque Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and making a fabulous weekend nearby Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula.

There is a significant distance from the Island to Melbourne International Airport and many visitors choose to stay in Melbourne before and after attending the event, to see more of Melbourne and provide easier transit. Consider staying at Novotel Melbourne Preston to position yourself less than half an hour form Melbourne Airport for your departure after you’ve seen all Melbourne has to offer!

Where: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Back Beach Road, Ventnor VIC 3922

When: Spring; October

Getting There from Novotel Melbourne Preston by public transport: We recommend hiring a car as public transport does not run through to Philip Island

NFL

The NFL has brought American football down under and expanded its presence in Australia through a recent season hosted at the MCG. With great success in 2026 watch this space as the NFL looks to follow the historic clash with a multi-year tradition. The event brings together passionate American football fans and showcases Melbourne’s ability to host world-class sporting spectacles.

Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Brunton Avenue, Richmond VIC 3002

When: Future Seasons in Melbourne TBD

Getting There from Novotel Melbourne Preston by public transport: Direct Mernda Line train access to Jolimont Station, as the closest transport access to the MCG.

Rugby World Cup

When the Men’s Rugby World Cup returns to Australia, Melbourne in 2027, the city will come alive across nine matches. The city is expected to see thousands of supporters from around the globe thanks to Melbourne city’s world-class infrastructure, public transport and stadiums.

Expect matches to span across both the MCG and Marvel Stadium, making accommodation along the Mernda train line optimal to avoid changing lines between the two stadiums.

Where: MCG and Marvel Stadium

When: Spring; October

Getting There from Novotel Melbourne Preston by public transport: Easy rail way access to both venues via Jolimont and Southern Cross Stations. Catch the train from Bell Station, a 800m walk from Novotel Melbourne Preston.

Ice Hockey

Ice hockey continues to grow rapidly in Australia, with Melbourne hosting professional Australian Ice Hockey League matches, fans can enjoy fast-paced action at the O’Brien Icehouse in Docklands, an indoor arena with areas for public skating.

For true fans of the sport, get some ice time for yourself during your stay at Novotel Melbourne Preston at IceHQ in Reservoir.

Where: O’Brien Icehouse, 105 Pearl River Road, Docklands VIC 3008

Season: Autumn – Winter; April to August

Getting There from Novotel Melbourne Preston by public transport: Take the Mernda Line to Southern Cross Station before a short walk through Docklands. Or, take tram route #86 direct from Plenty Road all the way to Docklands Harbour Front.

 Melbourne Cup

“The race that stops a nation”, the Melbourne Cup Carnival is Australia’s most famous horse racing event. Held across multiple race days at Flemington Racecourse, the carnival combines elite thoroughbred racing, fashion, hospitality and entertainment. Flemington Racecourse is outside of Melbourne’s City Centre so staying along Melbourne’s inner suburbs will avoid inner-city congestion.

Where: Flemington Racecourse, 448 Epsom Road, Flemington VIC 3031

When: Spring; Late October and early November

Getting There from Novotel Melbourne Preston by public transport: Uber Rideshare or Taxi direct to Flemington racecourse.

Why Stay at Novotel Melbourne Preston for Melbourne Sporting Events?

Planning a sporting getaway to Melbourne? Novotel Melbourne Preston offers a smart alternative to staying in the CBD. Located just 300 metres from the #86 tram stop and 800m to Bell Station on the Mernda Line, guests enjoy convenient access to Melbourne’s major sporting venues without paying premium city accommodation rates.

Whether you’re travelling for the Boxing Day Test, AFL Grand Final, Australian Open Tennis, Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne Cup Carnival or an international sporting event, you’ll have direct rail access to Jolimont Station for the MCG, Melbourne Park and Olympic Parks precinct, plus easy connections to Southern Cross Station for Marvel Stadium.

As the crowds pack back into the city, stay along the Mernda Train Line to return north, away from the crowds, to comfortable accommodation featuring spacious rooms, on-site dining at The Stampton, Stampton & Co. café, secure parking, a 24-hour fitness centre and city or ranges views. It’s a great accommodation choice for convenience and value while exploring Australia’s sporting capital.

Book Your Melbourne Stay at Novotel Melbourne Preston or contact the reservations team today