Australia loves sport! If you’re big into sports in Australia, there is sport going on all year round. Here’s your guide to the most famous Aussie sport.

AFL

The Australian Football League is arguably the most famous sport in Australia. There are 18 different teams to choose from. Football means something different, everywhere! But down under, Australian football is its very own sport. You might also hear it being called ‘Footy’.

The sport has gripped the country ever since its invention in 1896.

From the shores of the Tiwi Islands to the MGV stadium in Melbourne, to the TV screen in most Aussie pubs, there are heaps of places you can go and catch the AFL.

Originally, it was a Melbourne-based game, and some teams even moved upwards to other states to balance them out. The AFL premiership season is a 23-match game, and the season runs from March to September. It’s the most watched sport in the country, with millions tuning in to each game.

Soccer

Soccer in Australia is what other countries like the UK would call football. Soccer has ten players on each team, and the aim is to get as many goals as possible into the other team’s net, in 90 minutes. The rules in soccer are essentially the same as they are all over the world.

Basketball

More associated with America, but also widely associated with Australia, basketball is well known across Australia. The National Basketball League (NBL) sees the Boomers playing in international competitions. The popularity of basketball has certainly fluctuated throughout the years.

Cricket

Cricket is Australia’s summer sport. It’s considered the country’s national sport, parallel to AFL. Half a million Aussies play cricket in Australia, and almost 95% of Aussie TV viewers tune into the cricket every year. It’s a big deal!

Cricket certainly has its place in an Aussie Christmas, with the Test Match being an essential tradition of Boxing Day. Millions tune into the Test Match on Boxing Day each year.

Rugby League

Rugby is especially more popular in Queensland and in the Northern parts of New South Wales. Rugby Union is a little less popular, but it’s got a dedicated following for the Wallabies – the national team.