BGT Boxing Day Test – All-time attendance record for a Test in Australia broken at the MCG

A new attendance record for a Test match in Australia was set: More than 373,691 spectators passed through the gates of the MCG over the five days of the fourth Test between Australia and India, surpassing the previous mark of 350,534 set in 1937.

Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed early on Monday that 51,371 had already turned up for the first session of day five to break the record. By late afternoon the number of spectators had increased to a total of 74,362.

The crowd size for this Test match was absolutely exceptional, with daily viewership figures of 87,242, 85,147, 83,073, 43,867 and 74,362. A larger crowd on day five than day four is unprecedented as the Melbourne Cricket Club, which runs the MCG, underestimated the number on day five.

On the fifth day they opened Yarra Park off-site to general public parking, a rarity. But they only had one goal open and there was a significant traffic jam before the game as a number of fans were late getting into the ground.

The record numbers follow the huge crowds India attracted at the MCG in the T20 World Cup 2022, when 90,293 spectators watched India vs Pakistan and 82,507 watched India vs Zimbabwe.