The Melbourne Cricket Ground and National Sports Museum Place guide

They say sport is the sum of Victoria’s culture, which is easy to believe when faced with all the cheering, theme-song singing and applause. Victorians indeed take the spectacle of the playing field very seriously – undeniably the state’s most dominant expression of common beliefs and behavior. The sporting life brings people from all backgrounds together in a fun activity. Head to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to catch the action!

With a capacity of 100,000 people, The Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of the world’s greatest sporting venues. It hosts cricket in the summer and Australian Football League or “footy” in the winter. 

Watching a game at the MCG is a one of a kind experience, but for those whose travel schedules don’t allow it, there are also guided tours that take you through the stands, media and coaches’ areas, changing rooms, and members lounges. These 75-minute guided tours depart regularly, from 10:00am to 3:00pm daily, except on event days when modified hours apply. A full list of modified hours may be found by clicking here, but note that these change every year. 

The MCG also houses the National Sports Museum (NSM), one of Melbourne’s premier exhibitions. It celebrates Australia’s rich sporting history, offers insight into its athletic culture, and houses the country’s largest collection of sporting memorabilia. The NSM has the following permanent displays: 

• Olympics Through the Years - Faster, Higher, Stronger 
• Australian Gallery of Sport and Olympic Museum
• Sport Australia Hall of Fame
• Australian Cricket Hall of Fame
• Australian Football Hall of Fame
• Champions – Thoroughbred Racing Gallery
• Melbourne Cricket Ground – The People’s Ground
• Melbourne Cricket Club Museum
• Backyard to Baggy Green Exhibition (including a Shane Warne 3D hologram)
• Australian Football Exhibition (including a James Hird 3D hologram)
• An interactive gallery for visitors of all ages: “Game On!”
• Other displays of basketball, boxing, netball, soccer, cycling, tennis, golf, Paralympic Games, rugby union, and rugby league
• Temporary exhibitions

The NSM is open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm, except on event days when modified hours apply. A full list of modified hours may be found by clicking here. 

Ticket prices are listed online here and may be purchased by calling +613 9657 8879, emailing contactus@nsm.org.au, or clicking here. Visitors purchasing their tickets online are able to join any single tour on the selected date of their ticket. 

Melbourne Cricket Ground, Brunton Ave., www.mcg.org