Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is an iconic Australian sporting venue located in Yarra Park in inner Melbourne, home to the Melbourne Cricket Club.

It holds the world record for the highest light towers. The MCG is an easy walk from the city centre, and is serviced by Richmond and Jolimont train stations.

Internationally, the M.C.G. is remembered as the centrepiece stadium of the 1956 Summer Olympics. The open-air stadium is also one of the world's most famous cricket venues with a "Test match" held there every year starting on Boxing Day.

Throughout winter, it is the home of Australian Rules Football with at least one game held there every week. On the last Saturday in September the A.F.L. Grand Final fills the stadium to capacity with the 2 teams battling to be the AFL Premiers. Until the 1970s, more than 120,000 people crammed into the venue when stadium renovations reduced standing room and increased seating to a maximum of roughly 99K.

The record attendance at the MCG is 130,000 for a Billy Graham religious event in 1959, followed by 121,696 for the 1970 VFL Grand Final betweeen Carlton and Collingwood.

The MCG, referred to as "the G" by Melburnian's has also hosted events from International Rules between the Australian Football League and Gaelic Athletic Association, to international rugby, soccer World Cup qualifiers and even rock concerts. When Madonna visited with her Girlie Show Tour in 1993 she called it "The G Spot".

MCG Tour

There is a really good guided MCG tour that starts at the entrance to the Gallery of Sport.

The MCG Tour gives the visitor the opportunity to relive their great sporting memories through a comprehensive tour of this marvellous stadium, where so many champions have performed.

The National Sports Museum is home to the Olympic Museum, Sport Australia Hall of Fame, Australian Cricket Hall of Fame along with much more, including the Melbourne Cricket Club Museum. See all this and more on a visit to the MCG - visitors can choose between an MCG Tour, a visit to the National Sports Museum, or both!

MCG Tours, which take approximately one hour and includes a tour guide, depart regularly from Gate 3 on all non-event days from 10am-3pm (except Christmas Day and Good Friday).

View the MCG Tour and National Sports Museum admission prices

Bookings are not essential.

Open Hours: 9.30am-4.30pm daily
Nearest transportation:
Train: Jolimont train station (Epping, Hurstbridge lines);
Trams: 48, 75
Walk: It's a nice walk from anywhere in the city, whether via Mirrarung Marr / Yarra River or through the Fitzroy Gardens / Yarra Park Gardens.

Web Link: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)