Melbourne Cricket Ground

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is an iconic Australian sporting venue located in Yarra Park, home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. Affectionately known as the "G", the Melbourne Cricket Ground is widely regarded as one of the world's great sporting arenas. It hosted the 1956 Olympic Games and has welcomed Test Cricket, AFL, NRL, major concerts, a papal visit and countless other memorable occasions. The MCG is a stones throw and easy walk from the city centre, closely serviced by Richmond and Jolimont train stations. 1956 Olympics 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. Australian Rules Football 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. * most years Records Attendance VFL/AFL Game: 121,696 attended the 1970 Grand Final between Carlton and Collingwood. Test Cricket: 94,199 attended the opening day of the 2025 Boxing Day Ashes Test. Big Bash Cricket: 80,883 attended the Melbourne Stars–Melbourne Renegades Big Bash match in January 2016. Religion: 130,000 for a Billy Graham religious event in 1959 Ed Sheeran: concert attendance record is 109,500, set by Ed Sheeran in March 2023. Taylor Swift: Taylor Swift holds its highest combined attendance for one artist: 288,000 across three nights in February 2024. MCG concert history Firsts: the MCG hosted the world’s first Test cricket match in 1877 and the first One Day International in 1971, both between Australia and England. MCG timeline Highest Light Towers: the MCG holds the world record for the highest light towers. Australian Sports Museum The Australian Sports Museum at the MCG is your one stop shop for celebrating sport in Australian society. Australian Sports Museum Hotel Finder | Stay22 Use Stay22 map to find accommodation around the Melbourne Cricket Ground. MCG Accommodation Map Train - Catch train to either Richmond or Jolimont Stations + short walk --> Car - When available (closed 2026) parking* costs $20 per vehicle (eftpos only) accessed via 7 gates around the park. Only Australian Disability Parking (ADP) permit holders. --> Bus - refer local bus web sites --> Bicycle - parking available around park --> Taxi - ask driver Walking - travel to CBD and walk via --> William Barak Bridge from Birrarung Marr (near Fed Square) over Batman Avenue the Jolimont Railway corridor and Barassi Way before descending into Yarra Park. --> Rod Laver Arena footbridge links the park and Rod Laver Arena. --> John Cain Arena footbridge runs parallel to the Rod Laver Arena footbridge extending from the MCG's Gate 6 concourse over the railway corridor and descending into the Olympic Park precinct on Swan Street.