Roxette Australian Tour 2015

Special Guest: Boom Crash Opera

Live Nation is excited to announce that legendary Swedish pop-rockers Roxette are returning to Australia for a national tour in summer 2015.

After the 2011-2012 World Tour that took them around the globe twice over, playing to more than 1.5 million people in 46 countries including our very own shores, Roxette - Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle - are ready to do it all again, with the Aussie leg of their world tour kicking off in February.

"We are beyond thrilled to head back to Australia, a stunning country with beautiful fans who have remained some of our most loyal supporters over the last 25 years," says Per Gessle. "Marie, the band and I are ready and raring to go with a brand new show full of our best hits and a few surprises".

One of Sweden's finest exports, Roxette have a string of much loved hits under their belt including Listen To Your Heart, The Look, How Do You Do, Spending My Time, Joyride, Dangerous, Sleeping In My Car, Dressed For Success, It Must Have Been Love, Almost Unreal and many many more.

Arguably one of the world's most successful power-pop duos, Roxette this year celebrate the 25th anniversary of their juggernaut hit single The Look reaching #1 on the Billboard US Chart in 1989. This track kicked off one of music's longest-running pop careers with the duo selling more than 75 million albums worldwide to date. The band topped the Australian singles charts three-times with smash hits It Must Have Been Love, Joyride and The Look, with five of their albums reaching the Top 10 on the Australian album charts.

The band's come-back began in 2011 with the release of hit single She's Got Nothing On (But The Radio) lifted from the album "Charm School". This, along with their sellout 2011-2012 World Tour, cemented the fact that Roxette were back bigger than ever, much to the joy of fans worldwide.

Roxette's 2012 tour was a triumphant success, with the first arena shows selling out instantly, extra dates added and rave reviews from fans and media alike. "Unless you'd seen it for yourself, you can't imagine the mass frenzy the return of Roxette caused," said the Herald Sun. "Roxette's is a back catalogue to die for," said Life Music Media, while Tone Deaf raved "Every hit gets a big rock ending, every ballad sees several hundred lighters aloft and we love every moment of this trip back to the 90s."

And so the Roxette joyride continues with their World Tour hitting Australian shores in 2015. Listen to your heart and come join it!

Tour Dates:

• Tue 10 Feb - Brisbane Entertainment Centre, QLD
• Sat 14 Feb  - Perth Arena, WA
• Tue 17 Feb - Adelaide Entertainment Centre, SA
• Fri 20 Feb  - Rod Laver Arena, VIC
• Fri 27 Feb  - Qantas Credit Union Arena, NSW

Tickets: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=ROXETTE14#VYSovOdlT4ylleJx.99

Must-see gigs 2015: Caribou, Spoon, Black Keys, Foo Fighters, Taylor Swift and more

Taylor Swift returns to Australian stadiums 11 months from now. Photo: Reuters

The Big Day Out may have gone to the great backstage area in the sky and the Australian dollar has dived against the American currency, but the international live music options over the next 12 months in Melbourne and Sydney remain strong. Beginning with a strong and diverse summer touring season and culminating in the Taylor Swift experience at year's end, here are 10 notable shows to mark as possible big nights out on your calendar.

TAYLOR SWIFT
Now ensconced as one of pop music's central figures following the completion of her Nashville migration with the recent chart-topping success of the 1989 album, Taylor Swift returns to Australian stadiums 11 months from now, a period that will be filled with video clips, memes and headlines. Previous visits have highlighted, as with her songwriting, Swift's ability to render the orthodox personal and idiosyncratic, and fans are unlikely to be disappointed.

When:

• November 28, ANZ Stadium, Homebush
• December 11-12, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Tickets: $91.65-$173.21, ticketek.com.au | $91.65-$173.21, ticketek.com.au


FOO FIGHTERS
Dave Grohl appears to be searching for ever more detailed ways to inspire his studio albums, including last November's Sonic Highways, but the Foo Fighters frontman maintains a belief in rock music as a joyfully cathartic live experience that translates into volume, commitment, sweat, and hits when playing gigs. Most stadium acts rely on spectacle to fill the vast space between themselves and the audience, but Grohl still believes he can reduce it to the intimate through the band's performance.

When:

• February 26, ANZ Stadium, Homebush NSW
• February 28, Etihad Stadium, Docklands VIC

Tickets: $94.92-$202.88, ticketek.com.au | $97-$199, ticketmaster.com.au


SINEAD O'CONNOR
The wildcard. Sinead O'Connor has made headlines for many reasons over the last few years, including her clashes with the Catholic Church hierarchy, see-sawing mental health issues, and an awkward online dialogue with Miley Cyrus, but there has also been a recent pair of well-received album, most notably 2014's I'm Not Bossy, I'm the Boss, that have served as the springboard for the 48-year-old's renewed touring. O'Connor retains a remarkable voice, and a deeper catalogue of fine songs than you might think.

When:

• March 19, Sydney Opera House
• March 4, Hamer Hall, Arts Centre, Melbourne

Tickets: $79-$99, sydneyoperahouse.com | $82-128, ticketmaster.com.au


NENEH CHERRY WITH ROCKETNUMBERNINE
Neneh Cherry is in the midst of a resurgent second act in a career that began with groundbreaking sounds 25 years ago on the Raw Like Sushi album and subsequently went very quiet. Also playing at the Golden Plains music festival, the Londoner arrives with last year's Blank Project, her first solo album in 18 years and an exploration of sparsely affecting electronic music whose chief collaborators, synth duo RocketNumberNine, are touring with Cherry.

When:

• March 11, Sydney Opera House, Sydney
• March 6, Hamer Hall, Arts Centre, Melbourne

Tickets: $59-$79, sydneyoperahouse.com | $78-102, ticketmaster.com.au


DJ SHADOW & CUT CHEMIST
Do scratch this: the Renegade of Rhythm finds the two acclaimed music producers and DJs furthering their previous collaborations by taking to the stage with six turntables and vinyl drawn from the vast record collection of seminal New York DJ Afrika Bambaataa, the pioneer in beats who foresaw hip-hop and electronic music's fruitful relationship. DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist are also at Golden Plains, but their headline show should allow them to acknowledge the past while invoking the future.

When:

• March 12, the Hi-Fi, Moore Park
• March 6, Forum Theatre, Melbourne

Tickets: $70.50-$125.50, tickets.thehifi.com.au | $74.20, ticketmaster.com.au


THE BLACK KEYS
The Black Keys are familiar figures on Australian stages – this will be their eighth tour of the country. But each visit has brought a larger profile and the show to match it, and this time there's also the deep melancholy of 2014's Turn Blue album, which topped the Australian charts, to integrate into Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney's usually raucous live garage-blues experience.

When: 

• April 7, Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne; 
• April 10, Qantas Credit Union Arena, Darling Harbourn Sydney

Tickets: $109.70, ticketek.com.au | $107.56, ticketmaster.com.au


CARIBOU
The Canadian composer and musician Dan Snaith has enjoyed a successful career in electronic music since emerging as Manitoba at the turn of the century, but the warmth, eclectic grace and immersive precision of his last two albums – 2010's Swim and last year's acclaimed Our Love – have elevated him, into both the charts and the forefront of club and pop music's blissful integration. His Laneway Festival sideshow should give him room to dazzle.

When:

• February 3, Sydney Opera House Sydney
• February 5, Forum Theatre, Melboourne

Tickets: from $49, sydneyoperahouse.com | $69.90, ticketmaster.com.au;


SPOON
Spoon are at the veteran stage now, two decades into the band's career, but they continue to make outstanding albums thanks to the combination of Britt Daniel's songwriting and Jim Eno's studio expertise. Thankfully they don't tour as often as most American indie bands (ie. every 18 months), and their live shows allow for the band's intuitive cohesion and Daniel's stage flair to explore and expand their elegiac studio output.

When:

• February 13, Metro Theatre, Sydney
• February 11, Forum Theatre, Melbourne

Tickets: $61.17, ticketek.com.au | $63.20, ticketmaster.com.au


PERFUME GENIUS
One for the future: Seattle singer-songwriter Mike Hadreas, touring as part of the Laneway Festival, has released three album under the moniker of Perfume Genius, with the most recent – 2014's Too Bright – serving as a well-deserved breakthrough. Increasingly extroverted in his outlook and sounds, his music can take in starkly moving ballads and urgent, uneasy alternative rock with electronic edges. This could well be the last Perfume Genius gig he plays at a venue this size in Melbourne and Sydney.

When: 

• February 18, Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst NSW
• February 15, Corner Hotel, Richmond VIC

Tickets: moshtix.com.au | $45,cornerhotel.com


DRAKE
In this age of perpetual touring due to negligible music sales, the Canadian hip-hop supremo is surprisingly only now playing his first headline shows in this country (he's also at Future Music Festival). In some ways the yin to Kanye West's yang, the Toronto-born rapper with an ear for R&B's vintage warmth has offered a new vision for hip-hop superstardom: more introverted than extroverted, open to emotion, welcoming in his success.

When:

• February 25, Allphones Arena, Homebush NSW
• February 27, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne 

Tickets: $11.94-$307.69, ticketek.com.au | $107.70-$151.05, ticketek.com.au

She's not bossy, she's the boss: Sinead O'Connor has a deeper catalogue of fine songs than you might think. Photo: Donal Moloney

BANG FOR YOUR BUCKS

If you want to see as much music as possible in a concentrated amount of time, then it's a music festival (and sunscreen) for you. Four perennials to consider:

• ST. JEROME'S LANEWAY FESTIVAL (February 7, Footscray Community Arts Centre; February 1, Sydney College of the Arts, Rozelle; $160) with Banks, Future Islands, FKA Twigs, Caribou and Flying Lotus.
• SOUNDWAVE (February 21-22, Melbourne Showgrounds; February 28-March 1; $132 for one day, $188 for two) with Faith No More, Smashing Pumpkins, Slipknot and Soundgarden.
• GOLDEN PLAINS (Saturday 7 to Monday 9 March, Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre, $328.80) with Conor Oberst, Sharon Van Etten, Felice Brothers, and Village People.
• FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL (March 8, Flemington Racecourse; February 28, Royal Randwick Racecourse; $149 to $345) with Avicii, The Prodigy, Drake, Nero and Afrojack.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/mustsee-gigs-2015-caribou-spoon-black-keys-foo-fighters-taylor-swift-and-more-20150106-12i2su.html

Lenny Kravitz 2015 STRUT Australian Tour

Special Guests: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

Amassing a huge response from media and fans alike following the announcement that US rock legend, Lenny Kravitz, will appear on the 2015 Bluesfest lineup, Chugg Entertainment has now confirmed that the unrivalled rock hero himself will also be appearing at two headline shows in both Sydney & Melbourne. Joined by New Orleans hero, Trombone Shorty, the shows will take place in April.

Kravitz's talents as a writer, producer and multi-instrumentalist have resonated through nine studio albums into a timeless catalogue. He has won four consecutive GRAMMY Awards, setting a record for the most wins in the "Best Male Rock Vocal Performance" category. Lenny Kravitz's appeal has also been recognized by his peers; his collaborative efforts are as varied as his own influences, having worked with Madonna, Slash, Aerosmith, Jay-Z, N.E.R.D., Mick Jagger, P. Diddy and Alicia Keys.

New Orleans native Trombone Shorty is the bandleader and frontman of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, a hard-edged funk band that employs hip-hop beats, rock dynamics and improvisation in a jazz tradition. He began his career as a bandleader at the tender age of six, and toured internationally for the first time at age 12 before joining Lenny Kravitz's horn section at the age of 19 for a 105-date world tour in 2005-2006. "...a genius player...he plays his ass off, and he's a beautiful human being" – Lenny Kravitz

With a slew of accolades and awards under his belt, having sold nearly forty million albums, it's fair to say Lenny Kravitz is a bonafide legend and this, a show not to be missed. With his friend and colleague, Trombone Shorty, warming the stage; this stands as just another reason to be there.

Tour Dates: (Ticketek is selling for the following venues only)

• Mon 6 Apr - Rod Laver Arena Melbourne, VIC
• Wed 8 Apr - Qantas Credit Union Arena Sydney, NSW

Tickets: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=LENNYKRA15

Asian Cup 2015: From Keisuke Honda, Nasser Al-Shamrani and Shinji Kagawa, 10 stars to watch

With the Asian Cup just days away, we’ve heard plenty about Socceroos stars Tim Cahill, Robbie Kruse and Mile Jedinak in Melbourne, but what of their rivals?

The region’s best players have touched down in Australia, ready to aide their nations’ push for Asian supremacy when the tournament kicks off on January 9, 2015.

Here are 10 stars set to shine at the Asian Cup.

Keisuke Honda — Japan

Honda isn’t just Japan’s main man, he’s probably the best player in Asia. At 28, the midfielder is at the peak of his powers and has flourished since moving to Italian giants Serie A. The playmaker’s pedigree is impressive, having played in two World Cups and as a key part of Japan’s 2011-Asian Cup winning team, named the player of the tournament four years ago.

His speed, close control, vision, finishing (he has 28 goals in 65 national team appearances) and passing ability makes him a nightmare for defences, while the blonde-haired wizard is also a dead-ball wizard. An excitement machine, expect Honda to purr for the tournament favourites.

Japan’s classy midfield double act of Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa. Source: Getty Images

Shinji Kagawa — Japan

Such is the class of the Japan squad, we felt it pertinent to include two members of the Samurai Blue, Shinji Kagawa just edging out Bundesliga rival and Japan’s all-time leading goalscorer Shinji Okazaki of FSV Mainz 05. Kawaga’s club form at present reflects that of struggling Borussia Dortmund, but the Asian Cup gives the 25-year-old the perfect stage to display his immense talents. 

He’s yet to find the back of the net under Japan coach Javier Aguirre, but having been moved back to his ideal central role after a fruitless spell on the left, you’d expect that to change when Japan’s defence kicks off against minnows Palestine on January 12 in Newcastle.

Nasser Al-Shamrani — Saudi Arabia

An attempted headbutt and spit at Matthew Spiranovic in the Asian Champions League final in November followed by last week’s altercation with a fan in Geelong have ensured Al-Shamrani will be the Asian Cup’s pantomime villain. His fiery nature means he’s never far from the action, but the Saudi Arabia striker is quite the player, his 10 ACL goals for Al Hilal helping him win the AFC’s player of the year award. It will be interesting to see and hear the welcome fans give him in Brisbane for the Saudis’ opener against China.

Son Heung-min — Korea Republic

A teammate of Robbie Kruse at Bayer Leverkusen, South Korean winger Son Heung-min is a genuine star and has flourished since moving from Hamburger SV. His five goals and two assists in 16 Bundesliga games this season have attracted interest from England, with Manchester United and Tottenham among his admirers. At just 22, Heung-min has a long career ahead of him, and if the South Koreans are going to upset Australia in Group A and go deep into the tournament, the winger will have to be at his best.

Ashkan Dejagah — Iran

Dejagah during the World Cup. Source: Getty Images

Iran attacker Dejagh played for Germany at youth level, was part of Wolfsburg’s 2008-09 Bundesliga-winning team and played in the Premier League with Fulham. In 2011 he pledged his allegiance to Iran, scoring twice on debut against Qatar in a World Cup qualifier. 

Now plying his trade for Al-Arabi in the Qatar Stars League (who paid Fulham a reported $12m to sign him), the lightning-fast attacker has the talent to wreak havoc on Group C rivals Japan, Iraq and Palestine if they give him too much space and time on the ball.

Khalfan Ibrahim — Qatar

Dubbed the ‘Maradona of Qatar’, and for good reason, Khalfan Ibrahim has a penchant for the spectacular. The Al Sadd winger was named Asian Player of the Year in 2006, aged just 18, and while his career ascent has somewhat levelled, the 26-year-old is still a deadly proposition. Ibrahim scored goals for fun (15 in 21 games) in the 2008-09 Qatar Stars League and won the Asian Champions League in 2011.

Reza Ghoochannejhad — Iran

Ghoochannejhad, nicknamed Gucci, scored Iran’s sole goal at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and will lead the line for his country at the Asian Cup. The Charlton striker boasts a great strike rate for country (11 goals in 19 matches). Ghoochannejhad was a talented violinist as a child and will be hoping to strike a chord at the Asian Cup.

Omar Abdulrahman — United Arab Emirates

Another of Asia’s genuine superstars, the only doubt over Abdulrahman is his fitness, because if he is on song during the Asian Cup, look out. The 23-year-old Al Ain attacker trialled with Manchester City in 2012, with only work permit issues scuppering his move to England. There are question marks over his condition, having not played since the semi-finals of the Gulf Cup in November, but the big-haired attacker is a big game player and the UAE will be looking to him to help get them through a wide open Group C against Iran, Qatar and Bahrain.

Ali Al Habsi — Oman

Oman goalkeeper and skipper Al Habsi only arrived in Australia on Sunday, meaning he won’t have much time with the team before their Asian Cup kicks off against Korea Republic in Canberra, the city the Red Warriors have based themselves in. There’s plenty of experience in Oman’s squad, and Al Habsi is no different, having played 92 times of the national team, been to three Asian Cups and representing Wigan in the Premier League. The Socceroos attackers will have to be on their game when they face Al Habsi on January 13 at Stadium Australia, the 33-year-old has showed before he’s tough to get past.

Server Djeparov (Uzbekistan)

A two-time Asian player of the year (2008 and 2011) Uzbekistan forward Djeparov has been skipper of the side since 2011 and scored twice at the White Wolves’ semi-final finish at the last Asian Cup. Now at Korean side Seongnam FC, Djeparov’s country will look to their skipper to provide the goals in another wide open group featuring the Uzbeks, Saudi Arabia, Korea DPR and China.

View Source Article for Video Clips of these Star Players

Ricciardo revved up for F1 Melbourne

Ricciardo revved up for F1 Melbourne

Australian superstar Daniel Ricciardo was in Melbourne today to launch the 2015 Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix, as the event prepares to celebrate a milestone of two decades in Melbourne on 12-15 March.

Ricciardo took to the steps of the iconic Flinders Street Station, posing for photos alongside a Formula One car in an Australian Flag design, as excitement builds ahead of the event.

The spectacular Albert Park street circuit will again play host to the season opener of the 2015 FIA Formula One World Championship™ – with the V8 Supercars  once again part of the line-up – and Ricciardo believes the opening weekend in Melbourne is easily the most anticipated of the year.

"The Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix is pretty much the best way to start the season for me. It's one of my favourite events, not just because it's on home soil but because it's the first race, the first time you really get to put everything on the table and see where you stack up," Ricciardo said.

"The last year has been an incredible year for me, I couldn't have wished for a better start to my career with Infiniti Red Bull Racing. The fans and the support we get at the Australian GP is incredible and last year I definitely felt it on track. I'm looking forward to getting out there already – I'm excited!"

The Minister for Tourism & Major events, the Hon. John Eren MP, was also in attendance – he said the event is a proud part of Victoria's major events calendar.

"As the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix prepares to stage its 20th consecutive race since it came to Melbourne in 1996; there is no question that the event holds huge value to the State. This significant milestone is a timely reminder of how truly entrenched this event is in the social, cultural and sporting fabric of the city,” Minister Eren said.

"We are delighted the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix has been secured until 2020, the benefits to the tourism industry and the economy are indisputable. The global broadcast of the race is the perfect platform to showcase Melbourne to the world, with images of our stunning city skyline and parklands shown to millions across the globe.”

Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman, Mr Ronald J Walker AC CBE, said with the most promising local driver in decades set to line up on the grid; anticipation for the 2015 event is particularly high.

"We have an exceptional talent in Daniel Ricciardo; his fighting spirit and infectious smile have captured the imagination of all Australians. He has built on the strong foundations of Mark Webber, and we are incredibly fortunate to have the privilege of seeing him challenge the world's very best on home soil this March,” Mr Walker said.

Sunday General Admission tickets purchased before 1 March, 2015 are available at the early bird price of just $79. For more information, visit www.grandprix.com.au

Shows Australia: 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) Australia Show Tour

Hot on the heels of selling out two shows at London's iconic Wembley Arena, the chart-topping Sydney boys are heading out on the road to play their first-ever headline Australian arena shows, touring in support of their recently released self-titled #1 smash hit debut album - not bad for four teenagers from the Western suburbs of Sydney. 

5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) – Luke, Calum, Michael and Ashton, started the month with an incredible five songs in the top 50 of the ARIA single chart: double platinum debut and worldwide iTunes #1 She Looks So Perfect, UK #2 Don't Stop, Amnesia, Kiss Me Kiss Me and Everything I Didn't Say. The lyric video for their upcoming single, Amnesia, has already had more than 5.7 million views.

5SOS are a worldwide success with more than 92 million views on YouTube, more than five million fans on Facebook, a combined 15-million-plus Twitter followers and more than 1.75 million followers on Instagram.

Australia Tour Dates:

Allphones Arena, Sydney NSW  Sat 20 Jun
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, QLD  Tue 23 Jun
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC  Thu 25 Jun
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, SA  Sat 27 Jun
Perth Arena, WA   Mon 29 Jun

Ideal Show Accommodation | Metro Hotels

About 5SOS (5 Seconds of Summer)

Formed in Sydney in 2011, the band consists of Luke Hemmings (lead vocals, guitar), Michael Clifford (guitar, vocals), Calum Hood (bass guitar, vocals) and Ashton Irwin (drums, vocals). The group were originally YouTube celebrities, posting videos of themselves covering songs from various artists in 2011. 

From there, they gained a small following in 2012 after posting a series of cover versions of popular songs ontoYouTube, then rose to international fame when One Direction invited them on their Take Me Home Tour.

- See more at: http://showsaustralia.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/5-seconds-of-summer-5sos-australia-show.html#sthash.G9aVAyFg.dpuf

Summer Sporting Extravaganza to Boost Australian Economy

In Australia, summer is all about sport. This season the addition of two major international events to the calendar is a big bonus, not just for sports lovers but for the economy as well.

Australians who don't enjoy sport turn off the television and head for the beach at this time of year.

For everyone else, there's a smorgasbord of Test and one-day cricket, PGA golf, an internationally famous yacht race, a grand slam tennis event, cycling and Formula One races.

The country is set to enjoy an unprecedented quantity of world sport worth an estimated A$320m ($267m; £172m) to the economy thanks to the addition of two major events.

The Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup - being held across five cities in January - and the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup, which will be played in Australia and New Zealand in February and March, eclipse other events in size and dollar value.

The Asian Cup is the biggest sporting event in Asia and the cricket World Cup is the third biggest sporting event in the world after the summer Olympics and the FIFA World Cup.

Australia's summer of sport

• December 9 - January 10: Four cricket Test matches, Australia v India.
• December 11-14: Australian PGA golf Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast.
• December 26-30: Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
• January 9 - January 31, 2015: Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup.
• January 16 - February 1: Cricket one-day international tri series, Australia, India and England.
• January 17-25: Tour Down Under cycling classic, Adelaide and South Australia.
• January 19 - February 1: Australian Open grand slam tennis, Melbourne.
• February 14 - March 29: ICC World Cup.
• March 12-15: Australian Grand Prix Formula One, Melbourne.

Every year, between 1 December and 1 April, there are five million tickets on sale for sport and entertainment events across New South Wales, according to state government body Destination NSW. For the same period in 2014-2015, there are eight million tickets on sale.

"That's what happens when you add an Asian Cup and a World Cup to the calendar," says Asian Cup chief executive officer Michael Brown. "There's going to be a lot more people spending a lot more dollars."

Test Cricket

Australia's golden summer begins with the first of four Test cricket matches between Australia and India on 9 December. The fixtures were rescheduled to start later in the month because of the sudden death in late November of 25-year old Australian Test player Phillip Hughes.

Golf

The first Test now clashes with the Australian PGA golf event, while the Sydney to Hobart yacht race - which organisers claim is the largest spectator sporting event in the world - competes with the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

An estimated one million spectators will watch the start of the yacht race - about 300,000 of them from the water and another 700,000 lining Sydney's harbour and coastline, says chief executive officer of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Mark Woolf.

Economic Ipmact

The economic impact, however, is incalculable, says Mr Woolf, because it is a free spectator event.

"The metrics that come out of this race are enormous," he says. "It's not a stadium event. We don't have a captive audience. But there are tentacles everywhere.

"There's the investment of transporting and accommodating 118 boats and crew for the start. The crews bring their friends and families. Then there's provisioning and fuelling and self-catering for spectator picnics.

"Even the NSW town of Eden gets an economic lift. It's the last safe harbour for boats to refuel and restock before crossing Bass Strait. Once they reach Hobart the boats and crews have to get back to Sydney.

"Then there's the impact of those TV pictures of a perfect Sydney harbour beaming into Europe and America in the middle of winter on their Christmas night. It's hard to quantify the publicity and future tourism impact."

Asia Cup Soccer

As the Test cricket ends the Asian Cup kicks off on 9 January, with 16 teams playing 32 matches in Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.

According to Mr Brown, PricewaterhouseCoopers has said the event will pump A$225m into the economy. Asian Cup organisers target ticket sales of 500,000, with 50,000 international visitors expected to attend.

Three of Australia's top ten trading partners - China, Japan and South Korea - have qualified, which means hosting the Asia Cup is a unique tourism, trade and investment opportunity for the country and the region, he says.

"The Asian Cup is Asia's biggest sporting event and football is the biggest team sport and the most popular sport in Asia," Mr Brown says. "In Asia, football outstrips cricket as a sport."

Tourism Tsunami

But the Asian Cup will also have to compete for spectators and TV audiences with the Tour Down Under cycling classic in South Australia and the Australian Open grand slam tennis tournament in Melbourne.

ICC World Cup Cricket

Then, the biggest sporting event of the summer begins on 14 February. More than one million people are expected to attend 49 one-day matches featuring 14 teams playing in the ICC World Cup at venues in Australia and New Zealand.

ICC World Cup chief executive officer John Harnden says 500,000 tickets have already been sold and tens of thousands of international spectators are expected to attend, creating a tourism tsunami between the two countries.

"There will be a lot of travel between Australia and New Zealand, and then India, the UK and the US are the three primary points of origin (for spectators)," says Mr Harnden.

"It is a great opportunity to showcase ourselves to the world and benefit from that great word of mouth from all those tens of thousands of tourists saying what a great time they had. If the Australian and New Zealand teams do well, that will be an even bigger bonus."

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