Melbourne Cricket Ground: The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Melbourne Cricket Ground

Known as The G, The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. It also holds the title of the largest stadium in the Southern Hemisphere. The Melbourne Cricket Ground was included on the Australian National Heritage List in 2005.

The MCG has undergone numerous renovations since it was built in 1853. It served as the centrepiece of the 1956 Summer Olympics, the 2006 Commonwealth Games and two World Cups in cricket: 1992 and 2015. Renowned for its role in international cricket development, the MCG hosted both the First Test match and the First One Day International. A visit to this iconic stadium is a must for cricket lovers, and many Australia tour packages include the Melbourne Cricket Ground alongside other top attractions in Melbourne for a complete sightseeing experience.

History of Melbourne Ground

Melbourne Cricket Ground

The current Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of the famous places to visit in Australia for sports lovers. The site was selected in 1853 by the Melbourne Cricket Club. Until 1933, the government stipulated that the ground was to be used for cricket and cricket only. In later years, the region closest to the river was also built for sporting purposes, including the 1956 Olympic venues. The list of events that have taken place in the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

• Cricket
• Olympics
• CommonWealth Games
• Australian football
• Soccer
• Rugby League
• Various Concerts

Interesting Facts About Melbourne Ground

Melbourne Cricket Ground

• It was at the MCG, on 11 February 1984, that, for the first time, an ODI ended in a tie, with both West Indies and Australia scoring 222.
• The MCG is referred to as Australia’s ‘Spiritual Home.’
• The MCG light towers are the largest for any global sporting venue.
• Groundsman Jack House agreed on January 2, 1955, according to a report, to water the pitch on the rest day of the 3rd Ashes Test match between Australia and England to save the 22 yards; after a hot Saturday, it formed massive cracks. The Australian Cricket Association and the Melbourne Cricket Club, however, launched an inquiry into the matter and dismissed the rumour.
• Joe Solomon, of the West Indies, was called out hit-wicket on January 2, 1961, after his hat dropped onto the stumps when looking at a delivery from Richie Benaud.
• Sunil Gavaskar, an Indian batsman, took Chetan Chauhan off the field in a test match in 1981, after being upset by an LBW verdict on him.
• At the MCG on 1 February 1981, the infamous incident of Greg Chappell, Australia’s captain, asking Trevor Chappell to underarm the final delivery of the match, when New Zealand needed a six off the last ball to tie the ODI, was held. While that was not against the rules, the event was viewed as ‘against the game’s meaning.
• It was on this ground, in 1995, that the umpire Darrell Hair called Muttiah Muralitharan, a Sri Lankan spinner, for throwing the ball (chucking) seven times during the Boxing Day Test.
• The MCG is part of the annual Melbourne Marathon and has held a number of rock concerts.
• On 27 August 1999, an electrical fault caused the city’s end scoreboard to catch fire, delaying the beginning of an AFL match by 30 mins
• The MCG is the spot where the Super Sopper was first seen.
• For Day 1 of the 2013 Australia-England Boxing Day Test, an audience total of 91,092 set a high for one-day Test Match attendance.
• The MCG was used for military purposes during World War II, from 1942 to 1945, and more than 200,000 personnel were camped at the venue.
• In 1869, Australia organised the first-ever road competition at the MCG.
• In 1878, the MCG also played the first-ever Tennis game by Victoria.

Getting to Melbourne Ground

The Melbourne Cricket Ground is located at proximity to the heart of the city of Melbourne, Australia.  It is right next to Melbourne Park and is part of the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Precinct. It can be accessed by Richmond and Jolimont railway stations, as well as the route 70 tram. Alternatively, visitors can drive down if they are hiring a car to drive around the country.

Things to do in Melbourne Ground

Melbourne Cricket Ground

The Australian Sports Museum

The Australian Sports Museum is home to a number of special faces sharing first-hand accounts of their sporting story. It houses Australia’s largest collection of sporting memorabilia. It is a technologically advanced museum featuring life-size 3D holograms. Tickets can be pre-purchased online for the museum. Many Melbourne tour packages include the Australian Sports Museum along with the Melbourne Cricket Ground, making it an excellent attraction for sports enthusiasts visiting the city. 

Bars and cafes

The Melbourne Cricket Ground features a number of bars and cafes within the premises. It is a perfect reflection of Melbourne’s thriving culture of good food in a relaxed setting. The visitors can enjoy the Melbourne Cricket Ground’s extensive choices of food and drinks. You can also sample iconic Australian foods such as kangaroo steak, barramundi, Moreton Bay bugs, Lamingtons, and Pavlova, offering a taste of Australia’s unique culinary heritage alongside the sporting experience.

The outlets available are as follows:

• The Founder’s Bar
• The Lock-up Bar
• Brassi Cafe
• Haydn Bunton Sports Bar
• The Outer Bar
• Paddock Cafe

Melbourne Cricket Ground Shop

The Melbourne Cricket Ground Shop is a one-stop shop for all sporting merchandise. 

Best Time To Visit Melbourne Ground

The perfect time to tour Australia itself will be from December to February during the mild days. It is the busiest time of the season, which draws tourists from all over the world. Such months have the lowest amount of rainfall, and days may range from 16 to 19 degrees centigrade, while not yet dry. A large number of crowds despite being the peak time of the season. If slim crowds and off-peak prices are the targets of your travel, then the best period to schedule the travel will be the off-peak seasons between February and March or October and November. The days are fairly mild and dry.

Essential Information about Melbourne Cricket Ground

1. Location

MGC is located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria

2. Ticket Fare / MCG Tour Price

Ticket prices for the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) vary based on whether you are booking a stadium tour or attending a live sporting event like an AFL match or cricket test 

• Adult: $35 AUD (₹2,291)
• Concession: $29 AUD (₹1,900 to ₹1,915) 
• Children (5-15 years): $18 AUD (₹1,179 to ₹1,188)
• Family (2 Adults + 2 Children): $76 AUD (₹5,020)
• Children under 5: Free

3. Timings

MCG Tours are daily operated and depart every 30 minutes between the time period of 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. The timings of the MCG Tour and the Australian Sports Museum may vary on event days. You can check the official website of MCG for updated information. 

The tours are closed on Good Friday, Melbourne Cup Day and Christmas Day.

How to Plan for a Visit to Melbourne Cricket Ground

Immerse yourself in the high-class facilities of MCG. You can plan your holidays at the time of cricket events to spectate an energetic match while having some delicious snacks, or else be a part of the MCG tour that happens on a daily basis when there are no events in the stadium. Gain insights into Melbourne cricket culture and other sporting cultures with surprising facilities. It also fits perfectly into a 9-day Melbourne itinerary, allowing visitors to combine the stadium with nearby attractions for a memorable day of sightseeing.

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