Australia's Home of Sport
A look inside one of the world's most famous sporting venues, the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
About the MCGMelbourne Cricket Ground
Since it was established at its current location in 1853, the MCG has forged a unique place in the sporting and cultural life of Melbourne and is an Australian icon.
Photograph of Melbourne Cricket Ground, 1877 (1877)Melbourne Cricket Club
The Ground has hosted some of the most important sporting events in Australian and world history. The first cricket Test match, between Australia and England, was held on this Ground in 1877 and began one of the longest and fiercest rivalries in world sport.
Summer Olympics 1956 (1956-11) by John DominisLIFE Photo Collection
In 1956 more than 100,000 people watched the Opening Ceremony of the Melbourne Olympics. Dubbed the "Friendly Games", they showcased the best of Melbourne's character and its sports loving culture.
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Over its history the ground has undergone extensive redevelopment to improve the experience of the hundreds of thousands of visitors who attend each year.
The MCG has earned a place as one of the most famous sporting arenas in the world.
A rich history
Around the ground visitors can find acknowledgements of the cultural and sporting history of the MCG.
Melbourne Cricket Club foundation stone, 1928 (1928)Melbourne Cricket Ground
Just inside the entrance to the Melbourne Cricket Club Members' Pavilion visitors will find the foundation stones to each of the Pavilions that have served MCC Members since 1881.
Honour boards commemorating fallen MCC members, World War I & World War II Honour boards commemorating fallen MCC members, World War I & World War IIMelbourne Cricket Ground
Bronze Honour Rolls record the service of MCC Members who died in World War I and World War II.
Plaques commemorating World War II, and Melbourne Cricket Ground involvement Plaques commemorating World War II, and Melbourne Cricket Ground involvementMelbourne Cricket Ground
Around 200,000 members of the Royal Australian Air Force passed through the ground between 1943 and 1945.
Seats from 1927 Member's Pavilion, on display in Percy Beames BarMelbourne Cricket Ground
The MCG has undergone many redevelopments over its history, yet retains links to its past. Seats from the 1928 Members Pavilion adorn the wall of the Percy Beams Bar. The 1928 Members Pavilion was demolished as part of extensive upgrades to the ground in 2006.
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Links to the past are found throughout the Ground. Honour boards celebrate unique sporting achievements and noteworthy occasions.
Melbourne Cricket Club Best Averages honour boards Melbourne Cricket Club Best Averages honour boardsMelbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Club Best Averages honour boards are a permanent record of those players who have excelled for the club over its long history.
Intercolonial Cricket honour boards, Victoria v New South Wales Intercolonial Cricket honour boards, Victoria v New South WalesMelbourne Cricket Ground
Intercolonial cricket honour boards are a reminder of the important role of cricket in establishing a shared sense of identity throughout the colonies in the 19th century.
