Sports and fitness in Canberra: your complete guide

Canberra's fitness culture benefits from the planned city's extensive trail network, the mountain biking at Stromlo and Majura Pines, and the AFL Canberra Raiders and GFC Brumbies and Raiders that provide the professional sporting calendar that fills the city's major venues through the year.

Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium — the NRL's Canberra Raiders have the most devoted club following of any professional sports team in the ACT, with GIO Stadium (Raiders home) producing the atmosphere of a large regional sporting city entirely united behind a single team. The Raiders' 1989, 1991, and 1994 premierships remain central to Canberra sporting identity.

Brumbies at GIO Stadium — the Super Rugby Brumbies provide Canberra's rugby union identity, with two Super Rugby titles (2001, 2004) and a competitive record in recent seasons that the ACT's strong rugby tradition at club and school level sustains. Brumbies home games through the Super Rugby season (February to June) are well-attended.

Mountain biking — Stromlo Forest Park — the UCI-standard cross-country mountain bike course at Stromlo Forest Park is among the best purpose-built mountain bike facilities in Australia, with the XC course, the enduro trails, and the pump track supporting everything from elite racing to entry-level riding. The Monday evening social rides are open to all abilities.

Running — Lake Burley Griffin and the Centenary Trail — the 28-kilometre Lake Burley Griffin loop and the 145-kilometre Centenary Trail around the ACT boundary provide the running infrastructure for Canberra's active running community. The City2Surf Canberra and the Canberra Times Fun Run draw thousands of participants annually.

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