# How About A Sports Mancation Down Under Exploring AFL Games *By James Hills — Updated November 2022* Australian Football came about when Tom Wills, one of the founders, encouraged the winter game of football as a way to keep cricketers fit when out of season. Today it has evolved into one of the hottest sports on the planet. Even though I've never had the chance to attend a game in person, the videos excite me for the opportunity  Formerly known as the Victorian Football League, professional [Australian Rules Football](https://www.afl.com.au/about-afl) started in 1897. However, in 1990, the name changed to reflect that it had spread beyond Victoria and was now a fully national sport enjoyed across the country. This now includes 18 different teams across many different Australian states - though Victoria is still well represented with four that call the [Melbourn Cricket Ground](https://www.mcg.org.au/) it's home. That venue also hosts the AFL final. We think that this presents a great opportunity for a road trip, even if you've never experienced a game before. Here's some highlights for an ultimate Australian League Football road trip!  ## South Australia In South Australia, you will find the Adelaide Oval, the ground for the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power. With a capacity of 53,500, the stadium is often near full capacity for AFL matches. So if you don’t happen to grab a ticket, look at traveling to another city to catch your team at another stadium. ## Victoria The Melbourne Cricket Ground is home to Collingwood, Hawthorn, Melbourne, and the 2019 grand final winners, Richmond. With an impressive capacity of 100,000, the stadium is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and the 10th largest stadium globally. ### Northwest Passage Expedition Cruises: Following The Wake Of Legendary Arctic Explorers Northwest Passage expedition: Follow Amundsen's legendary Arctic route aboard HX expedition ships. 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This is Victoria’s only venue for regular AFL Premiership matches outside Melbourne. ## Tasmania As well as Blundstone Arena, Bellerive, being a great venue to watch AFL teams North Melbourne and Hobart Hurricanes, it also has one of Australia’s most exciting cricket museums. ## Man Gear Pick of the Month September's Pick Amazon (affiliate) ### Kenyon City Grill Portable Stainless Steel Electric Grill Why we picked it: a grill you can actually carry to the campsite, the tailgate or the cabin without borrowing a truck. Stainless, no propane tank to wrestle, and hot enough to cook for four guys rather than reheat for one. 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Those with a valid event ticket can travel free with TransLink on scheduled Surfside bus, Queensland Rail and G:link services. ## New South Wales The Giants Stadium was originally built as the baseball stadium for the Sydney Olympics. It was then transformed to the 23,500-seat capacity home to the Greater Western Sydney Giants. The Manuka Oval is where you’ll find the GWS Giants Canberra play and is the permanent home for both Cricket and Australian Football in Australia’s capital, Canberra. Sydney Cricket Ground was officially opened in 1886 and is home to the Sydney Swans, who first played at the ground in 1982. It’s here you will also find the Sydney Cricket Ground Museum which says it is “dedicated to collecting, documenting, preserving and displaying the unique sporting and social activities that have occurred on the grounds of the Sydney Cricket Ground.” ## Northern Territory Where some of the stadiums have been built for other sports and host AFL, TIO Stadium was built in 1991 primarily to cater for Australian Rules Football and hosts one AFL home and away game per year.  Details Written by: James Hills Last Updated: 06 November 2022 ### 🚢Ready To Book A Vacation? Let us help you plan a cruise, all-inclusive resort, or tour for your next guys trip, family vacation, or romantic getaway. Click here to [**Book Your Next Vacation**](https://www.mantripping.com/vacation-planning.html). #### Which Style Of Amazon Cruise Should You Pick To Explore World's Largest River? 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