Resources: Sports & Sports Bars

We get quite a few calls for places showing American gridiron and baseball when the seasons are in session. Here are some organisations who play American sports in Australia, as well as list of pubs known for showing American sports.

Most pubs and clubs show the big games in American sports (Super Bowl, US Masters, US Tennis Open, and so on).  More and more pubs and clubs are showing the regular competition games as well. Foxtel and Austar has ESPN, Fox Sports, Setanta, and other channels. In 2010, Foxtel will broadcast the Olympics on 4 channels, but it is by subscription only so you must be a Foxtel customer. Free-to-air TV will show highlights.

The following TV channels carry American sports throughout the year:
Foxtel Cable:
ESPN
ESPN HD
Fox Sports 1-3, HD
Setanta (by subscription only)
Free to Air :
SBS, other channels who buy rights to broadcast certain events
(High Definition TVs only)
One HD, 10 HD

All major US sporting events are covered, some live, some on delay.
Not all pubs show American sport. Below is a list of those we are aware of that show some events (like tennis) or most of  American sports. Some pubs and clubs will accomodate your request to watch a game if the pub is not crowded.

Call ahead to make sure or find a friend who has cable TV at home, or has Foxtel IQ and can record that hockey game at 3am that you're dying to watch.

Australian Baseball Federation
www.baseball.com.au
Governing body for the sport of baseball in Australia. Includes links to Australian baseball associations and teams at the state level, as well as various competitions around Australia. Tracks MLB stats and TV schedules.

Gridiron Australia
www.gridironaustralia.org.au
The governing body for American Football (gridiron) in Australia. Has links to the various states that have gridiron associations and competitions, including the university teams.

National Basketball League
www.nbl.com.au
Australia's official basketball league and competition. Provides information on the sport in Australia as well as details on the competition and state teams.