Black and white photo of athletes marching during the closing ceremony of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics
Bruce Howard, Olympic athletes march together during the closing ceremony of the Melbourne Olympics, Melbourne Cricket Ground, 1956. nla.obj-147877423

Whether it is a football grand final, any of the many Olympic Games events or a Formula 1 motor race, Australians will turn out in their hundreds of thousands to watch major sporting events. The crowd numbers are matched by the ratings achieved on radio, television and streaming services.

Watching sport live is a major Australian pastime. Every day, across the nation, Australians from all walks of life attend sporting events or tune in to watch their champions display their considerable skills.

Plan your visit

Opening hours

Getting to the Library

Bookplate cafe

Bookshop

Venue hire

Visitor facilities

The National Library of Australia acknowledges Australia’s First Nations Peoples – the First Australians – as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land and gives respect to the Elders – past and present – and through them to all Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Cultural Notification

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website contains a range of material which may be considered culturally sensitive including the records of people who have passed away.

ENTER SITE