State and national sporting associations, local government authorities, event organisers, sporting venues and local councils are encouraged to apply to the $17.7 million program.

The program gives organisations a kick start to deliver sporting events that are national or international in focus, or have regional significance and are recognised by a relevant sporting body.

It helps Victoria maintain its status as Australia’s sporting capital, and showcases our state to interstate and overseas visitors.

In the past year, the program supported more than 75 events, including the Australian Gymnastics Championships, the AGL Loy Yang Traralgon International, the Australian Masters Squash Championship, the Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles and the Victorian Open Golf Men’s and Women’s Championships.

Over the next four years the Significant Sporting Events Program will secure more than 300 sporting events for Victoria.

Of these, more than half will be held in regional Victoria, bringing competitors and tourists to local towns, stimulating the local economies and inspiring more Victorians to get active and healthy through sport.

Coming up in June, the program is supporting the Australian Open Billiards and Australian National Billiards Championships in Yarraville, the Japan-Australia Women’s Baseball Challenge in Bendigo, and the Saddleworld Melbourne International in Werribee.

Other events supported by the program include the 2018 Australian Open Table Tennis Championships in July and the 2018 World Junior Motocross Championships in August.

For application details visit the Significant Sporting Events Program grants page.