Melbourne, Dec 31: The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has set a new all-time attendance record for a Test match in Australia, drawing 373,691 spectators over five days of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia. The tally surpassed the previous record of 350,534, set during the 1937 Ashes Test at the same venue, which was played over six days.
Cricket Australia confirmed that 51,371 fans had passed through the gates by lunch on Day Five, officially breaking the record. The crowd swelled to 74,362 by late afternoon, a rare instance where fifth-day attendance exceeded that of the fourth day.
Daily attendance figures showcased the enduring appeal of the Boxing Day Test:
- Day One: 87,242
- Day Two: 85,147
- Day Three: 83,073
- Day Four: 43,867
- Day Five: 74,362
The match now ranks as the second-highest attended Test in cricket history, trailing only the 1999 India-Pakistan Test at Eden Gardens, which drew an extraordinary 465,000 spectators over the course of the game.
Ticket prices of just 10 Australian dollars for Day Five encouraged high turnout, as did the opening of Yarra Park for public parking. However, delays due to limited gate access caused some fans to miss the early action.
India’s drawing power at the MCG is well established. During the 2022 T20 World Cup, India’s matches attracted massive crowds, including 90,293 for the India-Pakistan game and 82,507 for India-Zimbabwe.
MCG Chief Stuart Fox, said: “I’ve not seen anything like it at a cricket match. The spirit in the stadium was incredible. I thought Taylor Swift was big, but this has been something else.”
The record-breaking attendance highlights the enduring rivalry between India and Australia and the growing global popularity of cricket. The Boxing Day Test, a hallmark of Australian sports culture, continues to captivate fans worldwide.
