Melbourne Cricket Ground

Overview

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is Australia's largest and most famous sporting venue, holding 100,024 spectators. Known simply as "The G," it is the spiritual home of both cricket and Australian Rules football.

Highlights

• MCG Tour: A behind-the-scenes tour explores the players' rooms, the Long Room, the media centre, and the hallowed turf.
• National Sports Museum: Located within the MCG, it houses the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, and interactive exhibits.
• Boxing Day Test: Attending the first day of the Boxing Day cricket Test match is an iconic Australian summer tradition.

History

Established in 1853, the MCG has hosted the 1956 Olympic Games, the 2006 Commonwealth Games, and numerous cricket and AFL grand finals. It was rebuilt in stages, with the current Great Southern Stand completed in 1992.

Visitor Tips

• Non-Event Days: Tours run daily when no events are scheduled — check the MCG website.
• AFL Match Day: Attending an AFL match (March–September) is the quintessential Melbourne experience.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours (tour).