International students who study in Melbourn have known it for years: Melbourne is the best sporting city in the world. The city beat Berlin and Doha at the Sport Business Sports Event Management Awards, held at Lord's Cricket Ground in London this week. "You only had to be at Flemington last week for the Melbourne Cup or be at Kingston Heath this week to see Tiger Woods and Geoff Ogilvy competing in the Masters to see our major events strategy on show." said Victorian Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding.

With the Australian Open tennis, the formula one race, nine AFL Australian Rules football clubs and two soccer clubs, Melbourne is truly remarkable. Any student who has been to the Melbourne cricket ground know it is one of te world's great stadions, hosting over 100,000 people while two other big venues host 50,000 and 25,000 people. Two large indoor centres and a world class aquatic centre complete the amazing facilities in Victoria’s capital.

Melbourne's sports calendar over the next two years include the Socceroos' last match on Australian soil in June before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the UCI Road World Cycling Championships next October and the 2011 Presidents Cup golf tournament, to be played at Royal Melbourne.