Forget the long-haul flight. The travel ‘crime’ Aussies need to stop committing
There is nothing quite like the big-game feel that envelops a city ahead of a marquee sporting clash.
As an avid sports fan who has travelled to Paris for the Olympics, caught EPL matches in London, and attended WNBA games in New York, Melbourne’s NFL showcase delivered on every level.
With more than 100,000 people in attendance, the game became the seventh-highest attended game in NFL history. Morgan Hancock
The city did not just meet the moment, it set the gold standard for all future sports spectacles heading down under.
According to Skyscanner, 28 per cent of Aussie travellers planned trips either domestically or internationally to see a sporting event last year.
But if Melbourne’s NFL game was anything to go by, all the action is over here.
September’s historic clash drew a record 100,021 fans to the MCG, bringing full-blown tailgate parties and festivities to Australia’s doorstep whilst also allowing the city to showcase its world-renowned dining.
Experts say Australians are emerging as the most passionate sports fans globally. Getty Images
Expedia Senior Director, Darren Karshagen, even told nine.com.au earlier this year that Australian sports fans are quickly becoming some of the most passionate sports fans globally.
“They’re travelling far, staying longer and spending big around games,” he said.
So watching Australia’s cool coffee capital embrace US sports culture proved why travelling for major events is always worth the trip.
It’s the culinary capital for a reason
Being on the ground allowed visitors to explore the world-class flavours of the place recently dubbed the “world’s friendliest city”.
Restaurants like Côte Basque in the heart of the CBD proved why local dining is held in such high regard.
The Anchovy Matrimony was a highlight of the dining experience. Alexia Santamaria
The laneway grill embraced wood-fired cooking, showcasing succulent seafood, prime meats, and seasonal produce.
Every bite of the restaurant’s signature Anchovy Matrimony toast reminded packed tables why Melbourne’s culinary scene is so renowned.
Restaurants like Côte Basque in the heart of the CBD proved why local dining is held in such high regard. Alexia Santamaria
It showed that while the city buzzed with football fever, its premier kitchens were keeping die-hard sports fans fed.
Other hospitality staples welcomed the sporting crowd with open arms and playful twists.
Cult favourite Baker Bleu leaned into the madness, serving an American-football-inspired spread of tailgate breads and pastries.
Cult favourite Baker Bleu served up some American classics and footy-themed s’mores. Joseph Sahyoun
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams tailgate featured an Aussie classic: a traditional sausage sizzle stamped with official team branding.
Having the opportunity to create my own player card made the experience way more immersive. Joseph Sahyoun
The tailgate event itself was also a stroke of genius, setting the tone long before kickoff.
Nothing builds pre-game anticipation quite like a festival lawn packed with live sets, pop-up stalls, and activations for every generation of fan.
Supporters even lined up at a custom photo booth to have their faces printed onto personalised NFL player cards.
As far as fan immersion goes, it does not get much better.
The record-breaking game
Walking into The G for the seventh-highest-attended game in NFL history felt less like a sport and more like a massive spectacle.
While the game itself was largely one-sided, the electric atmosphere inside the historic venue never dipped.
Between the roaring military flyover and the Jonas Brothers’ halftime show, the stadium was packed to the brim with energy.
The pre-game card stunt made for one of the coolest visuals I’ve ever seen. Joseph Sahyoun
The pre-game card stunt created an unforgettable visual, though the crowd soon gave it a signature Australian twist.
By the fourth quarter, fans had turned the cards into hundreds of paper planes sailing toward the turf, with the fans popping anytime a single plane looked like it was even close to making it onto the field.
It offered the ultimate proof of an American game played on Aussie soil because nowhere else do 100,000 fans erupt over a paper glider hitting the grass.
The electric atmosphere inside the MCG never dipped. Ruby Alexander
Being there in person was a stark reminder that while travelling halfway across the globe for sport has its thrill, passing up the chance when it lands in your own backyard is straight-up criminal.
And the best part? This is only the opening kickoff.
With the Brisbane 2032 Olympics on the horizon and Melbourne set to host another NFL clash next year, local sports fans are about to be thoroughly spoiled for choice.
So while Sydney edged out Melbourne as the city drawing the most sports fans last year, that title could change hands pretty soon.
The writer travelled as a guest of Visit Victoria.
