The Melbourne Cricket Ground, or referred as “The G” by locals, is the 11th most largest stadium in the world with a staggering total of approximately 20,000 square meters in area. If you’re a sports enthusiast who would like to visit the MCG, you should consider staying at the Oaks on Lonsdale , one of the premier Serviced Apartments in Melbourne , located just about 5 minutes away from the stadium.
This famous stadium was built in 1853 with the foundation stone being laid by Prince George of Wales and Prince Albert Victor on the 4th July. Opened in 1854 the MCG has gained international fame for a vast number of reasons that included being the birthplace of Test cricket in a historic game between England and Australia on the 15th of March 1877.
The Melbourne Cricket Stadium caught the attention of the whole world when the 1956 Summer Olympics were held there with the participation of over 60 countries. Thus, the MCG was the venue where a new Olympic tradition was born when athletes instead of marching as teams, behind their national flags, mingled with one another as they paraded into and around the arena for a final appearance before the spectators. Other top moments of history for the Melbourne Cricket Stadium include the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the 1992 Cricket World Cup.
Apart from athletics, the stadium is also famed for being the venue of soccer and hockey finals attended by many. During winter the MCG serves as the home of Australian Rules Football, and next year the European champions Real Madrid with soccer legend Christiano Ronaldo, is set to play exhibition matches with an English Premier League side and a Serie A club.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground boasting a total capacity of 100,024 is a 365-days-per-year function facility that holds about 80 events annually. The MCG is a stadium revered around the world for not only facilitating athletic games but also for hosting top entertainment events such as blockbuster music concerts featuring Madonna, U2, Michael Jackson, Rolling Stones and The Police.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.