For India vs Australia 4th Test, MCG breaks staggering 87-year feat with all-time attendance record
The Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has set a new attendance record, with over 350,700 fans attending the match across five days. This figure surpasses the previous record of 350,534 set during an Ashes Test in January 1937. Cricket Australia confirmed this milestone on Day 5 of the thrilling contest.
The MCG saw crowds exceeding 80,000 on the first three days, with day one alone attracting 87,242 spectators. The excitement continued with 83,073 on day three and 43,867 on day four. Despite a lower turnout on day four, attendance surged again on the final day, with over 51,371 fans arriving for the first session.
The match has drawn significant interest from Indian fans, creating an electric atmosphere reminiscent of a home crowd for players like Nitish Kumar Reddy. Tickets for Day 5 were priced at just AUD 10 (approximately INR 530), with free entry for children under 15, enhancing accessibility for families.
This record-breaking attendance places this Test as the second-highest attended match in cricket history, trailing only behind the iconic India vs Pakistan match at Eden Gardens in 1999, which had an astounding attendance of 465,000. The successful turnout reflects cricket’s ability to unite communities and showcases the enduring popularity of the sport in Australia.