We live in a city where the sports never stop, and even as Albert Park returns to normal after the departure of the F1 Grand Prix, Melbourne looks keenly ahead to the next round of sporting clashes. With Victoria’s Sheffield Shield campaign heading to a thrilling conclusion, the 2026 AFL season kicking into gear, and more on the horizon, there’s a lot to digest. That’s all happening against the backdrop of the Matildas’ quest for Asian Cup glory, which will keep us glued to our TVs in between. Here’s your primer for all the live sport taking place in Melbourne this March!
Catch Victoria’s top-of-the-table Shield clash…
Having looked powerful in the four-day stuff all season, Victoria top the Sheffield Shield table going into their final match at Junction Oval, as the cricketing summer builds to an exciting conclusion. Coming off the back of trouncing Tasmania down in Hobart at the start of the month, Victoria enter the final game with a home Shield final locked down, and face second-placed South Australia in a possible preview of the final. Momentum is on their side, and with the chance to put one over a potential final opponent, Victoria will look to keep their winning ways intact ahead of the decider.
…and then buckle in for the Sheffield Shield final
A 33rd Shield title, and a first since 2019, is within reach for Victoria as they’ll look to make home advantage count. Their opponent is yet to be decided – defending champions South Australia or Queensland look the most likely bets – but with Victoria boasting the season’s top two runscorers in Sam Harper and Peter Handscomb, the wily Scott Boland (Victoria’s all-time leading Shield wicket-taker), and the captain Will Sutherland leading from the front, they’ll be confident of their chances whoever emerges as the opposition. A chance at glory awaits, and you won’t want to miss it!
Watch the Storm get their first shot at revenge
The less said about Melbourne Storm‘s heartbreaking NRL Grand Final loss, the better, but the team is ready to go again in 2026. As if to prove a point, they shellacked the Eels 52-4 in their first match at AAMI Park this year, and the next home game is a Friday night affair against Brisbane. With a chance to put the Final loss behind them and set a marker against the reigning premiers, this is one fans will want circled on their calendars.
Feel the rivalry in Super Netball’s Melbourne derby
There’s nothing quite like a Melbourne derby to get the blood pumping, especially as the Melbourne Vixens are Suncorp Super Netball‘s defending champions. Meanwhile, the Melbourne Mavericks will be out to prove they’re anything but the junior partner in this crosstown rivalry. Bragging rights are on the line, after all!
See the Socceroos warm up for the World Cup at the FIFA Series 2026
Around the same time Australia will find out their final World Cup group stage opponent, they’ll be fine-tuning preparations for the campaign at AAMI Park. In fact, they’ll be the second act of a football double-header; Cameroon face off against China at 5pm, with Australia playing World Cup debutants Curaçao at 8:10pm. It’s the Socceroos’ final scheduled home game before the tournament, if you’re hoping to send them off with a win.
Hope for glory at the start of a new AFL season
With the opening round out of the way, four Melbourne teams kick off their seasons from March 12 as all eighteen AFL teams take the field. Richmond (vs Carlton, March 12) will hope the only way is up after a 17th place finish last year, Essendon (vs Hawtorn, March 13) aim to put 2025’s injury dramas behind them, North Melbourne (vs Port Adelaide, March 15) dream of the top 8, and Melbourne (vs St Kilda, March 15) face a tricky test against a team that Nasiah’d them last time they met. Add in a tantalising Pies-Crows clash at the MCG, and this round should be a good ‘un.