Significant Sporting Events Program

Program guidelines

A web page with fully accessible guidelines has been developed for this program.

To view it, please go to Significant Sporting Events Program guidelines.

PDF and accessible Word versions of the guidelines can be downloaded using the links below.

Grant types

The Significant Sporting Events Program (SSEP) has 2 streams of grants available.

* Higher grant amounts may be available and will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis by Sport and Recreation Victoria.

The final funding amount will be determined in relation to the scale of the event and key outcomes measured against the assessment criteria; only one grant is available for the same event, per year.

Funding rounds

The SSEP has 6 funding rounds each financial year. Applications must be received a minimum of 6 months prior to the event.

Applications may be considered outside these timelines on a case‑by‑case basis by Sport and Recreation Victoria and will only be granted under exceptional circumstances.

Event eligibility

Eligible sporting events must:

• be delivered in Victoria
• be for a sport recognised by the Australian Sports Commission as the National Sporting Organisation for their sport in Australia and listed on the Australian Sports Directory
• be nationally or internationally sanctioned by a recognised sporting body and meet the criteria of at least one Event Type as detailed below
• occur at least 6 months after the date of the submitted application
• offer equal prize money for people of all genders, where prize money is awarded.

Applications for multi‑year events and events that are subject to a bid process that otherwise meet the program criteria are acceptable.

Event Type

Eligible events must meet all the criteria for one of the following event types.

Application Process

There are several common features in successful applications. Good applications are:

• well planned;
• clearly demonstrate how the event delivers against the assessment criteria; and
• provide the appropriate supporting documentation.

Step 1: Confirm eligibility

Read the SSEP guidelines in full and check the detailed information contained in these guidelines to determine if your organisation and the proposed event are eligible.

Step 2: Stakeholder consultation

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their event with agencies such as venues, local councils and sporting associations. Where possible, applicants should demonstrate the support of key stakeholders in their applications.

Step 3: Apply online

All applications must be made online via the Significant Sporting Events Program webpage.

Ensure you have the required information on hand and click on the ‘Start new application’  buttons at the top or bottom of this page to submit your application.

You will receive an Application Number when you apply online. Please quote this number in all correspondence relating to your application.

If you experience any issues with submitting your application, please contact us.

Significant Sporting Events Program – Event Summary (DOCX 186.54 KB)
Significant Sporting Events Program – Supporting Document Checklist (DOCX 186.57 KB)

Program area and assistance

For general information about the Significant Sporting Events Program please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

To contact the Department’s Customer Contact Centre call 1800 325 206 between 9 am and 5 pm on Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

To speak with a member of the Significant Sporting Events Program please contact the Events Unit on (03) 9623 1429 between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) or contact us.

Supported events – July 2025 to June 2026

Below is a list of events supported by the Significant Sporting Events Program.

Where an event happens across 2 months, it will be listed in the month in which it begins.

Events will be updated periodically, so please check back.

2025 events

2026 events