The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has made history again, setting a new all-time attendance record for a Test match in Australia. Over five days of the fourth Test between Australia and India, more than 350,700 fans passed through the gates, surpassing the previous record of 350,534 set in 1937 when Sir Donald Bradman’s Australia faced England in a six-day match at the same venue.
Cricket Australia confirmed on Monday that 51,371 spectators had already arrived by the first session of day five, with even more expected in the afternoon. Remarkably, the day-five crowd exceeded day four’s tally, a rarity in Test cricket. Daily attendance figures were extraordinary, with 87,242, 85,147, 83,073, 43,867, and 51,371 fans respectively filling the iconic stadium.
The Melbourne Cricket Club, which runs the MCG, underestimated the final day’s turnout, leading to some logistical challenges, including traffic delays caused by limited gate access. The club had to open Yarra Park for general parking, an uncommon move, to accommodate the massive influx.
This milestone builds on the MCG’s reputation as a hub for cricket enthusiasts. Huge crowds also attended India’s matches during the 2022 T20 World Cup, including 90,293 for India vs. Pakistan.
The MCG continues to be a testament to cricket’s enduring legacy and its ability to bring fans together in record-breaking numbers.
