Visiting the MCG for the 2024 Boxing Day Test: Australia v India

The Melbourne Cricket Club looks forward to welcoming you to the MCG for the 2024 NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test between Australia and India.

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Here you will find everything you need to know to make your experience at the MCG a great one.

Large crowds are expected at this year’s Boxing Day Test. Plan your journey, arrive early and allow plenty of time for the entry process.

If you require assistance when at the stadium, please speak to one of our friendly staff members.

Match Details

All public tickets for Day 1 of the NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test are currently exhausted. There is a chance further public tickets will be released on December 24.

Tickets for days 2-4 of the 2024 Boxing Day Test are available via Ticketek.

Day 5 arrangements and tickets, should play reach a fifth day, will be confirmed during the Test and details published on our Day 5 event page.

Your ticket will be delivered digitally via Ticketek. You will need to download your mobile ticket prior to arriving at the MCG. If you have purchased tickets for others, remember to forward tickets to your group for easy entry.

Admittance to the public areas is free for children under the age of 3, provided they sit on the lap of their parent or guardian and do not occupy a seat.

Match details	Gates open	Play starts
Day 1 – Thursday December 26	9:00am AEDT	10:30am AEDT
Day 2 – Friday December 27	9:00am AEDT	10:30am AEDT*
Day 3 – Saturday December 28	9:00am AEDT	10:30am AEDT*
Day 4 – Sunday December 29	9:30am AEDT	10:30am AEDT*
Day 5 – Monday December 30	9:30am AEDT	10:30am AEDT*

*Times are subject to change. Check the MCG website for updates throughout the match.

To ensure you are inside the MCG in time for the first ball, arrive early and leave plenty of time for the entry process.

Plan Ahead

Before your visit, we encourage you to plan ahead and familiarise yourself with the venue and the amenities available. Further information can be found under the ‘Planning your visit’ tab on our website.

Find My Seat
Your entry gate, level and seat location will be listed on your ticket. To help you find the location of your seat, visit the Find My Seat map on the MCG website.

Seating Map
A seating map for the 2024 NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test can be viewed here.

Stadium Directory
The MCG has a range of amenities available to patrons including bars, food outlets, bathroom facilities and first aid rooms. View our stadium directory here.

Getting to the ‘G

Public Transport
Public transport is the best way to get to the MCG. The stadium is easily accessible via major train and tram lines. Jolimont and Richmond stations are closest to the MCG, and route 75, 48 and 70 trams stop near the venue. Plan your journey via public transport here.

Road and Rail Disruptions
Works will continue on Victoria’s Big Build projects in December and may impact your journey to the MCG. Changed traffic conditions and closures are expected on the West Gate Bridge and West Gate Freeway. Plan ahead and view road and rail disruptions via bigbuild.vic.gov.au.

Car Parking

Days 1-3
There is no general public car parking available on days 1-3 of the Boxing Day Test. For these days, car parking is available to accessibility passholders only. Parking for accessibility passholders can be pre-booked here (subject to capacity).

Days 4-5
Car parking will be open to the general public on days 4 and 5 of the Test (subject to capacity). Parking is available at a cost of $10, payable via EFTPOS only upon arrival. Cars may be held for a short time after the match to allow for safe egress from the MCG. Accessibility passholders can also pre-book parking here (subject to capacity).

For further information on parking and to view car park opening times, click here.

Road Closures
Road closures will be in place around the MCG during high-traffic times throughout the match. Visit the event pages listed here for road closures relevant to each match day.

At the ‘G

Boxing Day Test Summer Fest
The Boxing Day Test Summer Fest will be held in Yarra Park outside Gate 3 of the MCG throughout the match. This festival is designed around food, music, community and of course, cricket.

The festival invites fans to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of modern Indian and Australian culture and cricket legacy. Tailored specifically for cricket fans, this fan festival promises an unparalleled experience with an array of festivities, delectable cuisines, and engaging activities.

Shane Warne Legacy Heart Tests
Cricket Australia have teamed up with Shane Warne Legacy to celebrate Shane’s significant contribution to cricket and encourage fans to undertake a heart health check during the Boxing Day Test.

Free five-minute heart and health checks will be available via self-serve stations at seven locations around the concourse and stadium throughout the Test.

Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide
Warm weather is expected during the Boxing Day Test. Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat. Seek shade around the stadium concourse and slide on sunglasses to protect from the sun.

Patrons can fill up their water bottles for free at one of our many water stations available around the internal concourse. See their locations here.

Cashless Venue
The MCG is a cashless venue. All food, beverage, merchandise and ticketing outlets are cashless – so all transactions will need to be made with a debit or credit card.

Cloaking
Cloaking facilities are located at Gates 1 and 3 of the MCG. Large bags, such as duffle bags, sports backs or suitcases must be checked into the cloaking facilities located at Gates 1 and 3. Religious and cultural items such as Kirpans must also be cloaked at the venue.

Pram Cloaking
To maintain a clear concourse and safe aisles, prams and strollers are not permitted inside the stadium for this event.

Prams can be stored external to the stadium at dedicated cloaking areas outside Gate 1A and Gate 3A.

Gate 1A is closest to Gate 1, 6 and 7.

Gate 3A is closest to Gate 2, 3, 4 and 5.

It is free to cloak a pram and the cloaking areas will be staffed from 8:30am – 6:30pm each day (or 30 mins after the last ball).

Antisocial Behaviour
The MCG is a smoke, e-cigarette and vape free venue. Patrons found smoking or vaping inside the Ground will face immediate eviction.

At the MCG, your safety is our priority. If you experience any form of antisocial behaviour, please report it by texting 'Assist' to the MCG's antisocial text hotline on +61 483 933 622.

Food and Drink

A range of food outlets, bars and cafes are available throughout the MCG. For a list of available outlets, click here or view our stadium directory here.

Please note, available food outlets may vary per match day.

Cultural Food Offerings
MCG food outlets will feature a range of additional cultural food offerings throughout the Boxing Day Test including a cheese and spinach roll, samosas with mint chutney, a chicken tikka burger, tandoori chicken baguette and more. The additional menu can be viewed here.

Dietary Information
The MCG’s hospitality partner, Delaware North, aims to cater to all dietary requirements at the MCG. Find a list of food options available here.

Access & Inclusion

Accessible Seating
Accessible seating is available in all stands at the MCG. Patrons are encouraged to book accessible seating in advance via Ticketek. For more information, click here.

G-Train Mobility Shuttle Service
The G-Train Mobility Shuttle Service is free and available to patrons with mobility challenges to help get to and from your entry gate. The G-Train also features vehicles with wheelchair-friendly access.

Pre-booking is not required. Simply wait at a designated pick-up point (available nearby Richmond Station, Jolimont Station and the Accessible Parking Area. For further information, click here.

Accessible Bathroom Facilities
Accessible bathrooms, all gender bathrooms and a Changing Places facility are available at the MCG. For bathroom locations, click here.

Baby Change and Parents’ Rooms
The MCG has four parents’ rooms located around the stadium on Level 1 (M Level). In addition to the Parents’ Rooms, many bathrooms also contain baby change tables. For more information, click here.

Sensory Friendly Space
A sensory friendly space is available at the MCG offering visitors some quiet and calm on event day no matter the size or volume of the crowd.

Located within the Australian Sports Museum* on Level 1 (inside Gate 3, behind bay M51) this is a space for patrons of all ages who have sensory sensitivities, processing differences, or other hidden disabilities (e.g. autism, acquired brain injury, mental illness, PTSD, dementia). Click here to find out more.

Visual Story
Prepare for your visit to the MCG by downloading a copy of the ‘Cricket at the ‘G’ visual story, available here. This is a step-by-step guide with photos to help familiarise you with the MCG and the event day experience.

MCG Multi-Faith Prayer Room
The MCG Multi-Faith Prayer Room is open to all patrons. Located on Level B1 of the Shane Warne Stand (at approximately M13), the room is able to cater for more than 50 patrons at one time, and is suitable for patrons of all faiths including Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Hindu.

The Multi-Faith Prayer Room is accessible for all patrons from across the stadium, regardless of where they are seated.

Conditions of Entry

Prohibited Items
For the comfort, safety and enjoyment of all patrons, staff and event participants, certain items are not permitted into the MCG. For the full list of prohibited items, as well as conditions of entry for the Boxing Day Test, click here.

Security Technology
As part of the Melbourne Cricket Club’s ongoing commitment to provide the safest possible environment for fans, the MCG utilises Evolv touchless security screening technology at all gates on event days, providing a more efficient entry for patrons.

As patrons pass through the gates, the technology detects any prohibited items and comes up on a small screen that is monitored by security. If an item is flagged, security will do a secondary search of the patron’s bag or with a hand wand.

Australian Sports Museum and MCG Tours

The Australian Sports Museum is only open to those attending the Boxing Day Test from Thursday December 26 to Monday December 30. Boxing Day Test ticketholders can access 50% off Australian Sports Museum tickets, which are available from the Australian Sports Museum desk located inside Gate 3 on match days.

Explore cricket memorabilia, climbable objects, our interactive Game On section plus first-hand accounts of sporting stories from legends including Shane Warne.

Please note, MCG Tours will not operate during the Boxing Day Test. Tours will recommence on Tuesday December 31, and must be booked in advance via the Australian Sports Museum website here.

For more information and opening hours, visit the Australian Sports Museum website.

We’re Here to Help

Attendees are encouraged to contact management in the event they need any assistance or have witnessed anti-social behaviour. The channels in which patrons can contact management are through:
Facebook: @MelbouneCricketGround
X: @MCG
Instagram: @MCG
Email: contactus@mcc.org.au
Information found at: mcg.org.au