Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

Richmond, Victoria 3002

The Melbourne Cricket Ground is worth naming as one of the best stadiums in the world. It can house over one hundred thousand spectators for a single event!

While it’s mainly used for test cricket and Australian Rules Football, the Melbourne Cricket Ground is a versatile event space. Big international music acts like Madonna, U2, and Michael Jackson have all performed here, making this stadium one of the most popular venues in Australia.

Built in 1856, this stadium has made waves in the sporting world as one of the most incredible sport structures ever created. Throughout the years, the stadium has transcended from just a test cricket stadium to a multi-use phenomenon.

Home to the birthplace of test cricket, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has seen over 100 matches throughout the years, including the first ever cricket game in Australia in 1877. It was also the main sporting location for the 1956 Summer Olympics. Aussie Rules hosting duties doesn’t stop there. The stadium has also hosted international rugby matches, World Cup qualifying games, State of the Origin, and the Commonwealth Games.

This stadium is open 365 days a year and hosts more than 80 events each year. People from every corner of the earth visit Melbourne just to see this stadium. It’s known locally at the “G” and internationally as one of the greats in the sporting world thanks to its role as being the home of the Boxing Day Test each year, a tradition that began in 1950.

National Sports Museum

The stadium is also the location of the National Sports Museum, which houses Australia’s rich sports history and artefacts. Even if watching a sporting event is not your thing, visiting the stadium to see its sheer size and engineering is worth the visit.

What’s so great about the National Sports Museum you may ask? Well, here you’ll find iconic artefacts honouring some of Australia’s sporting legends such as the first gold medal ever won in the Olympics by an Australian and a vast collection of baggy greens worn by Australian cricketers. The museum is perfect for kids of all ages as well, with an interactive gallery that will see you testing your sporting skills in activities such as archery, footy and racing. If one of your main reasons for visiting Australia is to watch the cricket, fear not as you will find exhibits here that pay homage to the sport this country loves. Along with this is a 3D hologram of one of Australia’s most well-known and beloved cricketers; Shane Warne. Listen as he recounts his most memorable matches and career milestones in a personal account that will make you feel as if he is actually right in front of you!

How to get to the Melbourne Cricket Ground

Another great element to the MCG is the distance to the city centre. The stadium is only located a few tram stops away.  Two train stations; Richmond and Jolimont are within walking distance from the stadium if you’re wanting to take this transit option instead. The MCG is surrounded by other sporting stadiums such as AAMI Park where soccer is played, and Rod Laver Arena, home to concerts galore.

Cricket and Australian Rules Football are so popular, many events held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground are sold out well in advance so if you do plan on spectating a game, be sure to get your tickets quick!

The VIP Treatment

If you have the money, there are VIP suites that are worth the cash. Exquisite catering, an incredible view of the pitch, and VIP treatment throughout the day make it worthwhile. There are a variety of packages to choose from, depending on the amount you want to spend and the number of people you want to include in your suite.

Corporate suites are available throughout the year to purchase, giving you access to many matches. Now your goal is to get a job with a company who has one!

Upgrade your tour

Now we understand that the VIP suites may be a little out of reach for most, so we have the next best thing! When you jump on our Melbourne City Sightseeing Tour you have the option of upgrading to a 75-minute guided tour of the MCG. On this tour you’ll get a behind the scenes look at the players change rooms, visit other special areas of the stadium and even get to walk on the arena yourself! This is the perfect add-on tour if you’re travelling with a sports fan.

Food and Shopping at the MCG

After the tour be sure to stop at one of the two cafes on-site- the Paddock or the Hugh Trumble for a quality bistro meal or even just an iconic Australian meat pie! Whatever you’re after, whether it’s something filling or just a quick refuel, you won’t find anything lacking at the MCG.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or a sports fan, you can pick up all the official merchandise at the MCG shop just beyond the entrance of Gate 3. It’s here that you can purchase clothing and gear from both the official Australian cricket team and one of the 18 teams in the Australian Football League.

Hotels Nearby

So, if your mind is set on seeing the MCG then the next step is finding out where to stay during your time here in Melbourne. If you’re after something close by, just a short 10-minute walk away you’ll find the prestigious Pullman Melbourne On the Park. This 5-star hotel is located in a quiet inner-city neighbourhood and boasts all the necessities you’d expect from a hotel such as a spa, onsite restaurant and outdoor pool.

If something a little more lowkey is more your style, why not try the Travelodge Hotel Melbourne Southbank. This laidback property won’t break the bank however with its great location next to the Crown Casino complex and its many eateries nearby, you’re still very much in the heart of the action.