SPORT GALORE IN ’24
With all eyes focussed on the Paris Olympics, 2024 is going to be a year that Aussie sports fans will never forget. Among an endless list of major events, JULIAN LINDEN picks the top 24 that are unmissable
AFC Asian Cup, Qatar (January 12February 10)
The Socceroos haven’t won the Asian title since 2015 but have a real shot at breaking their drought in 2024 when they return to Qatar 14 months after Graham Arnold’s men made everyone believe anything was possible with their incredible performances at the 2022 FIFA
Australian Open tennis championship, Melbourne (January 14-28)
No Ash Barty, no Nick Kyrgios, no worries. This year’s Aussie Open is one not to miss. Rafael Nadal is saying adios but his superstar countryman Carlos Alcaraz is hoping to end Novak Djokovic’s (pictured) reign as the king of Melbourne. New mum, Naomi Osaka is back too.
Super Bowl, Las Vegas (Feb 12)
The greatest show on the American sports calendar has already become a massive hit with Aussie fans in recent years - thanks to a favourable television time but Super Bowl LVIII is going to be something special because it’s the first-ever in Las Vegas.
Matildas Olympic qualifiers, Melbourne (February 28)
Missing the Matildas and the way they brought the whole nation together after last year’s
FIFA Women’s World Cup? Despair no more because Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter, MacKenzie Arnold and the rest of the gang will be taking on Uzbekistan in the final qualifier for a place at this year’s Paris Olympics.
NRL season opener, Las Vegas (March 3)
The naysayers who said it would never happen are already earring their words. The double-header kick-off to the NRL season is going to be a massive success - with Manly , Souths, Easts and Brisbane all locked in for Sin City.
Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne (March 24)
The popularity of Formula One has exploded since the Netflix series of Drive to Survive and for Aussie fans it doesn’t get any better with Daniel Ricciardo back at Albert Park after missing last year’s race and young gun Oscar Piastri flying in his improved McLaren.
AFL Gather Round, Adelaide (April 4-7)
The AFL’ modified version of the NRL’s Magic Round was a booming success in 2023 and will surely only be bigger and better the second time around with South Australia retaining hosting rights.
Masters (April 11-14)
It’s already been over a decade since Adam Scott’s ‘C’mon Aussie’ breakthrough win at Augusta National but the stars are aligning for another larrikin green jacket winner after Cam Smith won the British Open in 2022 and Min Woo
Lee has emerged as future star. UFC 300 in Las Vegas (April 13)
Although the fight card is still to be revealed, UFC 300 in Las Vegas is already the most anticipated mixed martial arts event in history with promoters expecting a global pay per view audience that will smash all existing records. Some of the big names tipped to appear at the octagon are Conor McGregor (pictured below with Nate Diaz), Israel Adesanya and Jon Jones.
NRL Magic Round, Brisbane (May 16-19)
Still in its infancy, Magic Round is a monster hit with rugby league fans, with corporate deals for the 2024 weekend selling faster than State of Origin packages. It’s already become a $100 million extravaganza and there;s no plans of slowing down.
T20 World Cup, West Indies and USA (June 4-30)
World Test champions, ODI world champs, the only major global trophy that Pat Cummins and his troops are missing at the moment is the T20 World Cup. Regaining popularity after cleaning up their act, the Aussies will be right in the mix when the shortest form of the game heads to the Caribbean and the US mid year.
Australian swimming trials, Brisbane (June 10-15)
Fresh off from topping the medals table at the 2022 world championships, Australia’s unstoppable swimmers are eyeing a record haul at the Paris Olympics. The only problem is there is so much depth in Australia right now that just making the team could prove harder than winning an Olympic medal so the national trials will be a cutthroat competition like never before. Watch out for Mollie O’Callaghan, Kaylee McKeown, Ariarne Titmus, Cam McEvoy and Sam Short.
Wimbledon (July 1-14)
Could this be the last chance for Nick Kyrgios to win an elusive grand slam singles title? One of the few players who excels on grass, the trash-talking Aussie made the final at the All-England club in 2022 and wants another crack at going all the way.
Olympics, Paris (July 26-Aug 11)
Far and away, the biggest event on the sports calendar in 2024, the Paris Olympics will be unforgettable. All the signs are that the Aussie team will do amazingly well after the success off Tokyo, picking up around 50 medals. More than a third of those are expected to come from the swim team but there are plenty of stars including Jess Fox and the teams including the Matildas, the Boomers and the Hockeyroos.
Paralympics, Paris (Aug 28-Sept 8)
A fortnight after the Olympics are over, the Paralympians will take the stage in Paris with the Aussies on track for another big haul after bagging 80 medals in Tokyo. Some of the stars to watch include Madison de Rozario, Curtis McGrath, Lauren Parker and Ben Hance.
Bledisloe Cup, Sydney (September 21)
OK, this may not be pretty viewing after the Wallabies’ World Cup disaster in 2023 but hope springs eternal and any chance to beat the All Blacks is still worth watching.
AFL grand final (September 28)
The one day of the year when the behemoth Melbourne Cricket Ground is guaranteed to be sold out - no matter which teams are playing.
Women’s T20 World Cup, Bangladesh (September-October)
If you like seeing Australian teams win on the global stage, don’t miss the women’s T20 World Cup. With a seemingly endless production line of star performers, the Australians have won six of the last seven titles and will be at short odds to add another crown.
NRL grand final, Sydney (October 6)
Can the Panthers make it four on the trot? The history books would suggest it’s a mighty high mountain to climb but after Nathan Cleary’s inspired comeback last year showed, anything is possible.
Bathurst 1000 (October 13)
The Great race has lost none of its appeal over the years after celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023. If anything, the quest to be crowned King of the Mountain race has only grown in stature through the success and popularity of Supercars.
The Everest (Oct 19)
The richest race on turf in the world, The Everest has brought a whole new generation of racegoers to the track by showcasing the best sprinters in the country,
Melbourne Cup (November 5)
The race that stopped the nation may have been hijacked by foreign stayers in recent times, but having a flutter on the first Tuesday in November is one Aussie tradition that has survived the test of time.
Australian Open golf championship (Nov 28-Dec 1)
Held a week after the Australian PGA Championship, the unique format of the Aussie Open featuring both the men’s and women’s national titles, has reignited Australia’s love of golf.
Border-Gavaskar test cricket series (December-January)
The next best thing to the Ashes, Australia’s rivalry with India is intense but horribly one sided. The Indians have won seven of the last nine series’ - including each of the last four - so it’s time the Aussie got their hands back on the trophy.