After smashing attendance figures in 2024, a new economic and social value study has revealed the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) continues to attract millions of visitors, support local jobs and generated more than $720 million to the Victorian economy in the past 12 months alone.
Today, the Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos were joined by MCG Trust Chair Steve Bracks, Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) – manager of the MCG – President Fred Oldfield and CEO Stuart Fox to release the MCG Social and Economic Value Study, which showcases the unequivocal value of the People’s Ground.
The MCG is the largest sporting stadium in the southern hemisphere and has held some of the most attended spectacles in the world with work set to begin on a redevelopment business case to ensure the stadium and precinct maintains its world-class status.
More than four million fans attended the MCG in 2024 witnessing 69 major events across sport, concerts and community events, including the AFL Grand Final, NRL's State of Origin, Tottenham vs Newcastle football friendly, three Taylor Swift concerts and a record-setting Boxing Day Test.
These and other events at the MCG brought more than 620,000 visitors to Victoria from interstate and overseas, with $290 million spent in Victoria and supported 7,500 full-time equivalent jobs.
Off the back of 2024’s record breaking year of events and economic contribution to Victoria, the MCC, in partnership with the MCG Trust, Victorian Government and other key stakeholders will lead investigation into the future requirements of the stadium to help ensure its world-class status.
The business case will review the current state of MCG, including the Shane Warne Stand and outline options for redevelopment to meet the contemporary facilities that athletes and spectators require.
Opened in 1992 in time for the Men’s Cricket World Cup, the Shane Warne Stand was originally named the Great Southern Stand, and was renamed in honour of the Victorian cricket legend. While the Northern side of the ground was redeveloped and opened in 2005 before the MCG hosted the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Melbourne Cricket Club CEO Stuart Fox said, “We’re absolutely thrilled the Victorian Government is partnering with us to carry out the next stage of planning work and I’d like to thank Premier and Minister Dimopoulos for their support. I’d also like to thank the MCG Trust, led by the Honourable Steve Bracks, for their support in getting us to this point where we embark on the next stage of reimagining the MCG.”
While the Honourable Steve Bracks AC, chair of the MCG Trust, said, “It is important we continue to invest in the MCG to ensure it remains a world-class stadium for future generations. The ‘G’ holds an incredibly special place in the hearts and minds of Victorians as well as interstate and global visitors. I would like to thank the Victorian Government for their support of our future vision.”
Image is artist’s impression of potential MCG redevelopment.
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