Super Bowl champion touches down in Melbourne

As Melbourne gets ready to stage a trio of US sporting blockbusters, a Super Bowl legend is set to bring his unique style to the city when he meets fans at Caulfield Racecourse.

NFL great Rob Gronkowski is set to touch down in Melbourne, as the city gets set to stage a trio of US sporting blockbusters.

Four-time Super Bowl champion “Gronk” will attend the Caulfield Blue Diamond race meet this month.

The future hall of famer — who played alongside legendary US star Tom Brady in a nine-year career for the New England Patriots — will meet fans and take part in a trackside NFL activation on February 22.

Rob Gronkowski played alongside legendary quarterback Tom Brady during his nine-year career for the New England Patriots.

It comes after the Herald Sun last week revealed Melbourne would next year stage a historic first NFL match, had scored an Australian first NBA series and was bidding to bring NHL games back to Victoria.

It will be Gronk’s second visit to Melbourne in five years, with betting giant Sportsbet bankrolling his trip in partnership with the Melbourne Racing Club.

“I loved my time down in Australia in 2021,’’ Gronkowski said.

The Gronk will be in Melbourne this month.

“And after the announcement that NFL games are coming to Melbourne next year, it’s clear to see that American football has such a huge following so I can’t wait to mix it with locals trackside at Caulfield.”

Gronkowski will take part in a Q and A with fans and take to an NFL field built on the side of the racecourse.

One of the greatest tight ends in history, Gronkowski will take part in throwing, punting and a ‘Gronk spike’ competition for fans to see.

Gronkowski is widely regarded as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history.

The Los Angeles Rams – who won the Super Bowl in 2022 – were last week confirmed for an MCG match next September, with an NBA march against Aussie teams this October and more NHL action likely.

It comes as research by Flight Centre found more than half of all people intending to travel this year were likely to do so for a major event such as a concert or sporting match.

Australians and Americans were among the most likely to do so, according to the global study, at 51 per cent and 60 per cent respectively.

Interest in major events travel was outperforming other motivators including eco-tourism at 48 per cent, cruising at 47 per cent and luxury travel at 43 per cent.

Gronkowski will take part in a trackside activation at Caulfield Racecourse on February 22. Picture: Getty Images

Flight Centre Travel Group Global Leisure chief executive James Kavanagh said major events travel was “a huge emerging trend’’ with travel agents being asked to build holiday itineraries around matches and concerts.

“The NFL is going to add something unique to Melbourne’s already impressive calendar of major events and we expect travel demand to the city during it to boom just as it does during other mainstays like the Australian Open and Formula 1,’’ he said.

“Our research shows that not only are more than half of travellers intending to base a trip around a major event in 2025, but Aussies and Americans are particularly keen on the idea.

“So it’ll be a huge boost for tourism when The Rams take centre stage at the MCG in 2026.”

Caulfield’s NFL field will be unveiled on Monday, as part of Superbowl celebrations being staged at The Heath for the Kansas City Chiefs-Philadelphia Eagles clash.

Originally published as Super Bowl champion touches down in Melbourne