- Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events
Marvel Stadium will tomorrow host the biggest international supercross and freestyle motocross event ever held outside the United States, as the world’s best riders take flight at the Aus-X Open Melbourne.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula was joined by international stars, including Australian legend Chad Reed, on a remade Marvel Stadium arena today as riders prepared for the first Aus-X Open to be held in Victoria.
More than 30,000 dirt-bike fans are expected to turn out for the Open, which has moved from Sydney to Melbourne under a three-year deal secured through the Andrews Labor Government’s Major Events Fund.
The move to Victoria has brought with it a significant leap in patronage – a crowd of 21,000 was achieved in Sydney last year.
Showcasing supercross and freestyle motocross, the Aus-X Open Melbourne will be the largest indoor competitive action sports event ever held in the southern hemisphere.
The Open is the latest addition to Victoria’s nation-leading major events calendar, a collection of sporting and cultural attractions that together generate more than $1.8 billion for the economy each year.
A very different major sporting event will follow close on the wheels of the Aus-X Open, with tens of thousands of golf fans expected in Melbourne in less than two weeks for the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne.
Action at the Aus-X Open Melbourne will kick off at Marvel Stadium from 5:30pm tomorrow.
As noted by Minister for Tourism and Major Events Martin Pakula
“Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australia and a record turnout for the first Aus-X Open to be held in Melbourne will reinforce that standing.”
“Major events like this are crucial for our visitor economy, helping drive Melbourne’s international profile and draw visitors who fill our bars, restaurants and hotels.”
“Melbourne’s events calendar is the envy of cities across Australia and we will continue to work hard to deliver attractions like the Aus-X Open.”
