The Melbourn Cricket Ground is a multipurpose stadium located in Melbourne. The stadium was initially built in 1853 and currently features a capacity of 100,024 making it the 11th largest in the world and largest overall in the Southern hemisphere. Over its long history the stadium has become one of the most famous and important cricket venues in the world.
Historically the stadium was known to have featured several individual stands arounds the oval playing surface, a common feature at cricket stadiums in Australia. The current design features two larger, uninterrupted stands that more or less feature similar seating capacities. The new southern stand opened in 1992 with the newer of the two stands opening in time for city’s hosting of the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
As the name would suggest, the Melbourne Cricket Ground regularly hosts cricket matches. Along with the Sydney Cricket Ground, the stadium is one two major test venues in Australia. The Boxing Day test is one of the more popular events held at the stadium drawing large crowds each December 26th.
The stadium is also renowned as the home of Australian Rules Football (AFL). Six of the leagues 18 teams play most of there home games at the MCG with each year’s grand final also held at the stadium, an event which regularly attracts over 100,000 spectators.
The stadium was famously used at the main stadium for Melbourne’s hosting of the 1956 Olympic Games. The opening and closing ceremonies, athletics program, and the field hockey and association football finals were held at the stadium.
Although not ideal, due its ovaloid shape, the stadium also regularly hosts rugby union, rugby league and association football matches drawing record attendance numbers on most occasions to the stadium’s large seating capacity.
The stadium is located within Melbourne’s vast Sport’s and Entertainment District located close the Yarra River and walking distance from the Melbourne CBD. The stadium is easily accessible via Melbourne’s vast public transport network. Jolimont and Richmond train stations are both located within walking distance of the stadium with the No. 48, 70 and 75 trams also stopping nearby.
Leave a Reply