The Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has achieved a historic milestone, with a record-breaking attendance of 93,442 fans. The figure was reached before tea on December 26, 2023, as England’s fast bowler Josh Tongue recorded five wickets, contributing significantly to the tourists skittling Australia for a modest total of 152. This remarkable turnout surpasses the previous attendance record of 93,013 set during the ODI World Cup final in 2015.
The crowd not only established a new record for a day of Test cricket but also eclipsed the previous one-day record of 91,092 fans who attended the first day of the Ashes contest in 2013. That match ultimately attracted a cumulative total of 271,865 fans throughout its duration, a figure that Stuart Fox, the Chief Executive of the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), hopes will be surpassed in the coming days of this series.
High Hopes for Attendance Growth
Fox expressed optimism about future attendance at this year’s Ashes series, stating, “It’ll be a record today, but I’d love to shoot for one for the whole Test. I think it was 2013 when we had 271,000 through the gate, so I think that’s realistic.” With substantial crowds anticipated for the second and third days of the Test, England is aiming for their first victory in the five-Test series, while Australia seeks to maintain their dominance.
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg remarked on the impressive influx of travelling supporters from both interstate and overseas, noting that nearly 35 percent of attendees to this Test match were experiencing the MCG for the first time. “It’s incumbent on us—the sport, the venue, the government—to give people a wonderful experience,” he said. “When they’re here today, they’re going to watch some great cricket clearly, but it’s more than about the cricket. It’s actually bigger than cricket.”
The enthusiasm surrounding the Ashes series and the Boxing Day Test reflects its status as one of the nation’s premier sporting events. Last year, the attendance record for a Boxing Day Test was shattered when a cumulative total of 373,691 fans witnessed Australia’s victory over India.
As the match unfolds, the MCG stands as a vibrant hub of cricketing passion, with fans united in their support for their respective teams. The atmosphere is charged with energy, promising an exciting contest as the series progresses.
