Melbourne is known for its sporting culture, waterfront areas, art-filled laneways, historic buildings, and a busy calendar of major events. As Australia's cultural capital, it draws visitors looking for entertainment, great food, museums, and live sports.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is central to this lively atmosphere and has played a big role in Australian sport for many years. Besides watching matches, you can take a guided tour, visit the Australian Sports Museum, and get to know about the stadium's history.
This guide includes details on tickets, tours, seating, capacity, and other practical tips to help you enjoy your time in Melbourne and at the MCG.
What Makes Melbourne Cricket Ground Australia So Important?
The Melbourne Cricket Ground Australia was established in 1853, less than 20 years after Melbourne's founding. It has been the home of Australian Rules Football since 1859, the birthplace of Test cricket in 1877, and the venue for the first-ever one-day international cricket match in 1971.
Major events hosted at the Melbourne Cricket Ground include the 1956 Olympic Games (where it served as the main stadium), the 2006 Commonwealth Games, the annual AFL Grand Final with crowds of up to 100,000 fans, and the Boxing Day Test held every 26 December.
In 2026, the MCG is hosting the NFL Melbourne Game on 11 September, the first-ever NFL regular-season game played in Australia; tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster rather than Ticketek, an unusual exception to the MCG's standard ticketing arrangement.
Year | Event | Significance |
1853 | Melbourne Cricket Ground established | Foundation of the venue |
1859 | First AFL match held | MCG becomes home of Australian football |
1877 | First Test cricket match | Birthplace of Test cricket |
1956 | Olympic Games | Main stadium for Melbourne Olympics |
1971 | First ODI cricket match | Birthplace of one-day international cricket |
2006 | Commonwealth Games | Main stadium |
2026 | NFL Melbourne Game (11 Sep) | First NFL regular season game in Australia |
What Is the Melbourne Cricket Ground Capacity and Why Does It Matter?
The Melbourne Cricket Ground capacity is 100,024 in total, with 95,000 seats and about 5,000 standing spaces, according to the official MCG website. It is Australia's largest stadium and one of the biggest in the world.
The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), one of Australia's oldest sporting groups, manages the stadium. The MCC Long Room in the Members’ stand is a historic spot in Australian sport and can only be visited on an MCG Tour.
Different parts of the stadium are used for different sports. Cricket matches use a circular outfield, while AFL games use the whole oval turf.
Detail | Information |
Established | 1853 |
Location | Brunton Avenue, Yarra Park, Melbourne |
Melbourne Cricket Ground Capacity | 100,024 (95,000 seats + 5,000 standing room) |
Sports hosted | AFL, Test cricket, ODI cricket, concerts, rugby, soccer |
AFL Grand Final capacity | Up to 100,000 |
Surface type | Grass (natural turf) |
What Can You See at the Australian Sports Museum and MCG Tours?
Two separate experiences are available at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for non-match day visitors: a guided MCG Tour and entry to the Australian Sports Museum, both accessed via Gate 3 on Brunton Avenue.
Behind the Scenes With an MCG Tour
MCG Tours let you go behind the scenes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground Australia when there are no matches happening.
- Tours leave from Gate 3 regularly between 10:00am and 3:00pm. Each tour lasts about 75 minutes.
- The standard MCG Tour includes walking along the boundary line, visiting the MCC Long Room (a members-only historic area), and seeing the player change rooms. The route may change depending on event schedules.
- The Premium Access Tour runs on selected dates at 10:00am or 1:00pm. It lets you spend time on the turf, visit extra members’ areas, and includes a visit to the Australian Sports Museum after the tour.
- You need to book Premium Access Tours at least one week ahead.
- Tours are not available on all event days, so check the current schedule on the official MCG website before booking.
- All MelboAll MCG tour tickets must be bought online in advance. Walk-in tickets are not available.
Inside the Australian Sports Museum
The Australian Sports Museum is an interactive, award-winning museum located inside Gate 3 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
- It is open seven days a week, except on certain event days. All tickets must be bought online from the official website.
- The museum features interactive exhibits, galleries, and memorabilia from over 95 sports, including the 1956 Olympic Cauldron and a Shane Warne hologram.
- The Game On! interactive gallery lets you try out sport simulations, making it one of the most hands-on parts of the museum.
- A full visit to the museum takes about two hours.
- Australian Sports Museum entry tickets are separate from the MCG Tour, but you can also buy a combined ticket for both.
- Temporary exhibitions change regularly, so check the MCG’s official website to see what’s on before you visit. For example, the Warne: Treasures of a Legend exhibit ran through winter 2026 due to popular demand.
How Do Melbourne Cricket Ground Tickets Work?
Melbourne Cricket Ground tickets for all events are sold exclusively through Ticketek, the MCG's only authorised ticketing agency. The exception is the 2026 NFL Melbourne Game (11 September 2026), which is sold through Ticketmaster.
For most AFL and cricket events, you can pre-purchase Melbourne Cricket Ground tickets as reserved seats. Some domestic cricket matches make day-of-event tickets available at the gate, but this is not guaranteed. For the AFL Grand Final and Boxing Day Test, all seats are pre-allocated and sell out well in advance.
The MCG strongly advises against purchasing Melbourne Cricket Ground tickets from unauthorised resellers; tickets from unofficial sources risk being cancelled at the gate.
Event Type | Ticketing Platform | Pre-purchase Required? | Day-of-Gate Option |
AFL matches | Ticketek | Yes (recommended) | Sometimes; limited |
Test cricket | Ticketek | Yes | Sometimes |
Boxing Day Test | Ticketek | Yes; sells out early | No |
AFL Grand Final | Ticketek | Yes; all pre-sold | No |
Concerts | Ticketek | Yes | No |
2026 NFL Game | Ticketmaster only | Yes | No |
How Does Melbourne Cricket Ground Weather Affect Your Visit?
Melbourne Cricket Ground weather can change quickly, as Melbourne is famous for its unpredictable climate. You might even see all four seasons in one day. Check the Bureau of Meteorology the night before and again on the morning of your visit.
Season | Avg Temp | Typical Conditions | What to Bring |
Boxing Day Test (Dec to Jan) | 25°C to 35°C+ | Hot; occasional extreme heat days above 40°C | Sunscreen SPF 50+, hat, water bottle; choose shaded seats |
AFL season start (Mar to Apr) | 15°C to 22°C | Variable; can be cool and wet | Light jacket, umbrella |
AFL mid-season (May to Aug) | 8°C to 15°C | Cold; windy evenings common | Warm layers, scarf, waterproof jacket |
AFL Grand Final (Sep) | 15°C to 22°C | Usually mild and pleasant | Light layers; rain jacket as backup |
Melbourne Cricket Ground weather tips:
- When booking Melbourne Cricket Ground tickets, especially for summer day matches, try to book shaded seats to avoid too much sun at this open-air venue.
- Evening cricket matches and winter AFL games can feel much colder than daytime temperatures. Bring extra layers, adding at least 5°C to 8°C worth of clothing for evening events.
- The Melbourne Cricket Ground stays open in the rain. Matches only stop if there is lightning or extreme weather, as decided by officials on the day.
How Do You Reach the MCG and What Should You Know Before Visiting?
You can easily reach the Melbourne Cricket Ground Australia by public transport from the city centre.
Transport Mode | Route | Journey Time | Notes |
Tram | Routes 48 and 75 from CBD | 10 to 15 min | Requires Myki card (outside free tram zone) |
Train (Jolimont) | Hurstbridge or Mernda lines from Flinders Street | 5 min | 400m walk through Yarra Park to Gate 3; 5 min |
Train (Richmond) | Belgrave, Lilydale, Alamein, Glen Waverley, Frankston, Sandringham lines | 5 min | 900m from Gate 3; 11 min walk |
On foot | From Melbourne CBD | 15 to 20 min walk | Pleasant walk via Fitzroy Gardens or along the Yarra River |
Car | Via Brunton Avenue | Variable | Limited parking nearby; not recommended on major event days |
Practical notes:
- The Australian Sports Museum and MCG Tours are both at Gate 3 on Brunton Avenue. Make sure to buy all your tickets online before you arrive.
- If you have Melbourne Cricket Ground tickets to an event, try to arrive 30 to 45 minutes before the gates open on busy days, as security lines can get long.
- Bags bigger than an A3 sheet of paper (40cm x 30cm) are not allowed inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground on event days. Check the bag policy on the MCG website before your visit, as it can change depending on the event.
Final Takeaway
The Melbourne Cricket Ground Australia offers a full day of activities, whether you visit on a match day or a quieter day. The Australian Sports Museum and MCG Tours at Gate 3 are worth visiting year-round. Buy your Melbourne Cricket Ground tickets through Ticketek, check the weather with the Bureau of Meteorology before you go, and use tram or train to avoid parking hassles.
If you want a custom holiday in Melbourne, Australia, that includes the Melbourne Cricket Ground and other top spots, Holiday Tribe’s advisors can help plan every detail.
