Melbourne Cricket Ground

Melbourne Cricket Ground, or the 'G as it is affectionately known, is the largest stadium in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere, and is the world’s largest capacity cricket ground. Located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria, it is the home of the Melbourne Cricket Club.

At the heart of the MCG are the Long and Committee Rooms in the middle of the MCC Members Reserve area. Between the two, the Foundation Gallery displays names of past MCC Committee leadership and four portraits of the original founders. A search for the fifth still continues.

The MCG and surrounding facilities have hosted a multitude of different sports including cricket, Australian rules football, soccer, rugby, tennis, cycling, athletics, bowls and more. Different MCC-affiliated sports clubs are acknowledged in a series of wall displays.

From 1942 until 1945, the government requisitioned the MCG for use by World War II forces. Plaques near Gate 2 acknowledge that over 200,000 personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force, the United States Army Air Forces and the United States Marine Corp were barracked here.

Located outside the Long Room, the tapestry depicts many iconic moments from the history of the MCG and represents the importance of the ground in the sporting and cultural life of Australia. It was created in 2002-03 by artist Robert Ingpen and the Victorian Tapestry Workshop.

In the Anniversary Gallery, mounted opposite the tapestry, are sculptured bronze panels depicting iconic sporting moments that have occurred at the stadium. The panels were also designed by Robert Ingpen and were originally part of doors in the Members Pavilion.

The media centre hosts TV and radio broadcasters during matches. It is named after Ronald Arthur Casey (5 July 1929 – 2 October 2018) who was an Australian television presenter, sports journalist and talk-back radio host.

The first grandstand at the MCG was reversible to allow views of cricket on the field and the football played in Yarra Park. This function room has floor-to-ceiling windows, offering scenic views over the park.

In 1982 Australia's first full colour video scoreboard was added to the Western Stand. In 1999 it caught fire and was replaced. In 1994 a second screen was installed opposite, on Level 4 of the Olympic Stand. New, double-sized scoreboards replaced both screens in 2013.

There are many ways to get to the MCG: by car, train, tram, bus or on foot! Seven gates spaced around the arena ensure the large crowds can get easily get into and out of the stadium during events.

The arena has multiple function rooms that provide presentation, meeting, dining and bar facilities, with a view of the arena. The Jack Ryder Room is named after cricketer John "Jack" Ryder MBE (8 August 1889 – 3 April 1977) who played for Victoria and Australia.

Many of the MCG's corporate suites sit on 3rd level of the Southern stand. Nestled among them is the Jolimont Club offering luxurious hospitality from some of the best seats in the house.

Near Gate 1, the entrance to the Ponsford Stand, is a portrait of William Harold "Bill" Ponsford MBE (19 October 1900 – 6 April 1991), the former player it is named after. He played for Victoria and Australia, and still holds several first-class batting records.

MCG corporate suites are leased on an annual basis, providing access for all domestic and international cricket matches, and AFL games, including finals.

The Ponsford Stand terrace bar overlooks its neighbour Tennis HQ (on the right) and the Melbourne & Olympic park precinct. These facilities are home to the Australian Open, the largest annual event in the Southern Hemisphere.

The 2002-2006 rebuild created a seamless ring of stands, but the traditional MCG stand names persist. They are part of the identity of the unique sports venue that hosts the Boxing Day cricket Test Match and the AFL Grand Final, two cornerstones of the Australian sporting year.