Melbourne Cricket Ground Sports Fan Tips
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is the home of multiple teams in the Australian Football League, in addition to being a venue used for International Cricket and domestic T20 competitions like the BBL. "The G" is an outdoor arena primarily used for Australian Rules football games with a seating capacity of over 100,000. Located in Richmond, about 2km from Melbourne's city centre. This prestigious venue is the pride of Melbourne, which is a city that boasts of being "the sporting capital of Australia". It goes without saying that the MCG is a must-visit for any sports fan.
Best Bars near Melbourne Cricket Ground?
Where to start….there's the traditional pubs on Punt Road being The Royal and The Cricketer's Arms. Just down the road on Swan Street, Richmond is where you'll find the majority of pre and post-match crowds. The Precinct is located right across from Richmond Station and is one of the larger venues in the area. There's plenty of open spaces inside with heaps of screens broadcasting every sport imaginable. The food and drink menus are tailored for the crowd and you'll find all your pub favourites there. Allow about 10 minutes to walk up to the 'G'.
Directions to Melbourne Cricket Ground?
The MCG is a pretty dominant feature of the Melbourne skyline so it's pretty hard to miss. Walking from Federation Square through Birrarung Marr will take about 10 minutes and is a great way to absorb the sheer size of the 'G' on the way there.Public Transport – get off at Richmond or Jolimont, depending on which line you're travelling on. Follow the crowds and signs from there. Trams do drop fans off outside of Jolimont Station too.
Best restaurants near Melbourne Cricket Ground?
Richmond Kebab house on the corner of Swan and Church streets is the go-to spot if you are in desperate need of a late night celebratory or commiserative kebab after watching your team. You won't see any michelin stars on the window of this place but nobody wants Bluefish Sashimi at 11pm.The late night kebab is somewhat of a Melbourne tradition too. A source of great delight and great remorse. It is also a great way to kill some time while you wait for the train crowds to die down.For those with the more developed palate I would recommend Fonda at the top of Swan street. Worth the walk for some great Mexican food. The Mex Bim Bap is a personal favourite.
Melbourne Cricket Ground seating?
With 100,000 seats available, there are numerous! Level 1 in the Great Southern Stand will give you a great view of the ground for both AFL and cricket. If you're in General Admin, for matches which draw large crowds, you may need to get in early if you want seats undercover.The upper levels will give you a greater appreciation for the sheer size of the ground and an overall perspective of the playing surface. The bowl type construction of the ground means the noise will rise to the upper reaches of the grandstands too, so you won't miss any of the atmosphere up there.Typical prices for AFL tickets are around $30 which is the same for the cricket. For higher profile matches, those ticket prices will rise quite significantly.
Best Insider tip at Melbourne Cricket Ground?
Take some time to walk around the ground and soak up the atmosphere and history of one of the world's most famous and iconic sporting stadiums. Bronze statues of past greats from a variety of sports look over the arena they once plied their trade on.
What to expect from the Melbourne Cricket Ground crowd?
With so many different sports and teams playing at the MCG, the crowds will vary greatly. One thing you are guaranteed though is a well-educated and knowledgeable crowd. During AFL matches, the cheer squads, which sit behind the goals, lead the main chants and support throughout the game. If Collingwood happen to win at the MCG, look for 'Joffer' and his gold jacket!During the Big Bash (Cricket), dancers, fireworks, and all sorts of other off-field entertainment have also been added to enhance the fan experience.
Things to check out around Melbourne Cricket Ground?
The National Sports Museum is located in the member's section of the MCG and is a must for any sport lover in Australia. The museum takes visitors on a journey through Australia's sporting history and development with tonnes of photos, documents, videos, and interactive displays. Temporary displays are brought in from around the world from time to time to give sports lovers a chance to see sporting memorabilia and artefacts that would otherwise have been beyond their reach. 'Game On!' is the interactive section where you can try to bowl out an Aussie cricketer, speed test yourself against Olympians, or even kick for goal in a grand final.Ticket prices are $30 for adults and $16 for kids (under 5 are free). Family passes are also available.
Best Food and Drink at Melbourne Cricket Ground?
If you're in the MCC (Members) there are a number of bars to pick from, some with views over the ground. The crème-de-la-crème is the Long Room, but only full MCC members are allowed in there. The Jim Stynes Grill is fast becoming the new go-to bar/restaurant, with the 1.2kg Tomahawk Steak the popular menu item.In the outer, there are a number of bars to pick from too. The Haydn Bunton Bar and The Lock-Up are two of the newer bars in the bowels of the Great Southern Stand. The Outer Bar on Level 1 of the Ponsford Stand has daylight and a good selection of beers on tap.The food has also moved on from the traditional pie and chips, with a number of healthier options available from outlets right around the ground.
Melbourne Cricket Ground parking?
Start the Event by always parking at Federation Square. Then walk with the crowd to the MCG. The talk by the crowd on their way to the MCG is part of the experience.
Safety at Melbourne Cricket Ground?
The MCG trialled a security perimeter fence around the venue in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in Paris with an increased focus on bag checks entering the ground. The perimeter fence has gone, but the bag checks have remained. The high-profile events that the MCG hosts will always mean that the security level is high, but there is a strong security presence, supported by Victoria Police for all events.