Why you should visit Australia's biggest sporting venues

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Australia is renowned for its passion for sports, and this fervor is epitomized by the country's iconic sporting venues. Last year, the country hosted the most attended FIFA Women's World Cup in history, with the Matilda's doing the nation proud and making it to the semifinals.

Six months before that, the Land Down Under hosted the ICC T20 World Cup, but the Baggy Greens were far less impressive than their female footballing counterparts, ultimately suffering a shocking group stage elimination after finishing below neighbors New Zealand and rivals England.

Next summer, cricket will take center stage once again as they host the Ashes Series. The five-test clash between England and Australia is one of the most storied rivalries in all of sports, and it has been a feud that the Aussies have dominated in recent years.

The Baggy Greens have clung on to the urn for the last seven years, and they have been head and shoulders above their rivals on home soil. The English haven't won a test in Australia in 13 years, and across the three Australian-hosted series since, the hosts have won 13 of 15 matches.

Much of that dominance stems from the cauldron-like vibe created at some of the country's biggest stadiums, an atmosphere that has to be experienced to be believed. Here are the biggest stadiums in the Land Down Under and the events you can expect to see there in the coming months.

The MCG holds a special place in the hearts of Australians as the spiritual home of sport in the country. With a seating capacity exceeding 100,000, the grandiose venue has hosted a plethora of iconic events, including the AFL Grand Finals, cricket matches, and major concerts. Global superstar Taylor Swift - alongside compatriot Sabrina Carpenter - hosted three consecutive sold-out nights at the stadium back in February, while it will also host the annual Boxing Day test match later this year.

This year, it is India who will step into the cauldron to face off against a relentless Aussie onslaught. The hosts haven't lost the test in the last three years and lost just two since 2010. However, both of those defeats came at the hands of the Men in Blue, and Virat Kohli and Co. will be hoping to deal another hammer blow to the Australians this December.

Sydney's Stadium Australia is another gem in the country's sporting crown. This versatile stadium, with its distinctive horseshoe shape, has witnessed numerous historic moments, including the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Three years later, it hosted the first - and till this day only - Rugby World Cup to have a winner from the Northern Hemisphere as Jonny Wilkinson's last-gasp drop goal secured a stunning 20-17 upset victory for underdogs England against the hosts.

The 83,500-capacity arena also hosted the recent Women's World Cup final, however, that would have been a more disappointing result for the English two decades after one of the finest moments in the country's sporting history. Despite heading into the clash as favorites, the Lionesses were ultimately downed by a solitary Olga Carmona goal to nil, leaving Spain to revel in their celebrations as world champions. That was the first of two consecutive summers in which the Spanish broke English hearts, with the men's team defeating the Three Lions in the recent Euro 2024 final.

One of the standout events at Stadium Australia is the NRL Grand Final, where rugby league fans come together to witness the crowning of the premiership-winning team. The stadium has been a happy hunting ground for the Penrith Panthers in recent years, with the team winning the last three Grand Finals, with the most recent two of those successes coming at this iconic stadium.

In the picturesque city of Perth, Optus Stadium stands out as a cutting-edge marvel of architecture and technology. Coming in at a - whopping - inflation-adjusted - $1.17 billion, the Western Australia ground is one of the most expensive stadiums in the world and the most expensive ever constructed on Aussie soil. This multipurpose venue, with its striking design and retractable roof, offers unparalleled views of the city skyline and Swan River.

Optus Stadium is renowned for hosting major events such as AFL matches, international cricket fixtures, and music concerts. The stadium even hosted Australia's first-ever WWE Premium Live Event back in February, with a sold-out crowd of 52,590 flocking to see Elimination Chamber.

The event was headlined by national hero Rhea Ripley and the successful defense of her Women's World Championship against the Australian-born Nia Jax. Women's wrestling has come on leaps and bounds in recent years however, it still rarely main events marquee cards, but such is the star of 'Mami' that there was no other chance but to close the show in front of her adoring public.

Visitors can also enjoy the Optus Stadium Tour, which provides behind-the-scenes access and insights into this architectural masterpiece. Whether you're a sports fanatic or simply appreciate world-class infrastructure, Optus Stadium promises an extraordinary experience.