Melbourne Cricket Ground News

The MCG on Tuesday hosted a test event featuring some of Victoria’s biggest venues, events and sporting codes, preparing for the safe return of live events.

With Covid-19 restrictions finally beginning to ease in Melbourne, the Boxing Day Test looks set to be the first major event to be played in front of a crowd in the Victorian capital, as the summer cricket schedule is confirmed.

Test Cricket has been locked in at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for at least the next three years following a new agreement.

With the AFL Grand Final will be played outside of Melbourne for the first time this year, a piece of the MCG will feature at the Brisbane venue.

Empty stands, quiet concourses and siren-less Saturday nights – the last six months have been different to the norm for the MCG.

The AFL Grand Final appears all-but-certain to be moved outside of Victoria for the first time in its 122-year history, while the Australian Open and Melbourne Cup will remain.

The MCG’s new public announcement (PA) and Emergency Warning and Intercommunication System (EWIS) has received global recognition, taking out the prize for Venue Project of the Year at the 2020 AV Technology Awards.

Restrictions on sporting crowds continue to ease with Optus Stadium set to welcome a full house on July 19, mounting pressure on the MCG to retain the 2020 AFL Grand Final. While NSW has banned Victorian fans from events.

An historic lighting re-fit and an upgrade to the MCG’s PA system are just two of the major capital works projects completed by the Melbourne Cricket Club over the summer season.

Managing the turf at Australia’s largest and busiest stadium – the Melbourne Cricket Ground – is no small job and HG Turf have been charged with the responsibility since 1998.