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 DatesInternational EventCity SportsCountries Competitors Attendance19385–12 February British Empire GamesSydney8154641956 22 November – 8 DecemberSummer Olympic Games Melbourne17723,3141,341,483196222 November – 1 DecemberBritish Empire and Commonwealth Games Perth, Western Australia935863224,987196210–17 NovemberCommonwealth Paraplegic Games Perth, Western Australia14993n/a197720–27 NovemberFESPIC GamesSydney1215310n/a198230 September – 9 OctoberCommonwealth Games Brisbane, Queensland 11461,583481,313198526 January – 5 FebruaryAustralia GamesMelbourne24311,84892,767199426 September – 8 October 1994World Masters Games Brisbane, Queensland 307424,500n/a199526 February – 4 MarchWorld Police and Fire Games Melbourne62446,820n/a199729 September – 5 October World Transplant Games Sydney581,000 (est)n/a200015 September – 1 OctoberSummer Olympic Games Sydney 2819910,6516.7 million tickets sold200018–29 OctoberSummer Paralympic Games Sydney20 1273,8461,159,249 tickets sold200129 August – 9 September5th Goodwill GamesBrisbane, Queensland141300280,13520022–9 NovemberGay Games Sydney 31 7712,099n/a20025–13 October 2002World Masters Games Melbourne 269824,886n/a200430 November – 3 DecemberCommonwealth Youth GamesBendigo, Victoria10241,000 (est)n/a20055–16 JanuarySummer Deaflympics Melbourne14632,038n/a200615–26 MarchCommonwealth Games Melbourne 17714,500 (est)1.5 million tickets sold200716–25 March World Police and Fire Games Adelaide, South Australia75608,000 (est)n/a200910–18 OctoberWorld Masters Games Sydney 289528,676n/a200922–30 August World Transplant GamesGold Coast, Queensland 12990n/a20131–7 December 2013Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games Newcastle, New South Wales9292,500 (est)n/a20184–15 AprilCommonwealth Games Gold Coast, Queensland18714,4261.2 million tickets201818-29 OctoberInvictus Games Sydney, New South Wales1218500 estimated2019OctoberINAS Global GamesBrisbane, Queensland10471000202315 - 21 AprilWorld Transplant GamesPerth, Western Australia2032To be determined2032 Brisbane Olympic GamesBrisbane, Queensland2032To be determined2032 Brisbane Paralympic GamesBrisbane, 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.