We’re a nation of sports enthusiasts and participants in Australia, so a visit to the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) to see any event, is one that’s high on many sports fans list. To get a really in depth, behind the scenes look at this iconic sporting ground, make sure to take a guided MCG tour.

From Cricket matches to AFL, (Aussie Rules football games), to concerts and even the Olympics back in 1956, the MCG has quite a history of memorable moments. Today it’s also home to the Australian Sports Museum, a place that you can spend hours looking through, and even try your skills in some sporting activities.

To tour the MCG is very easy to arrange, with guided tours departing regularly between 10am and 3pm on weekdays and some weekends, but not on days where events are held. Dates of availability can be checked, and bookings made online, or you can just turn up and join in on a next available tour. You can purchase tickets for the MCG tour and visit the Australian Sports Museum on the same day which we did, and although there will be a lot of walking, it’s well worth seeing both.

Before you enter the MCG you can take a walk around the outside of the arena to see some statues of some of Australia’s greatest cricketers including Dennis Lillee and Shane Warne.

The oval tour takes around 75 minutes and includes a visit to the boundary line of the arena, parts of the stands and seating for spectators and then, some exclusive areas only usually available to MCG members or sporting teams.

These include members only viewing areas, the media centre, after match interview room, cricketers viewing rooms, players change rooms and more. Amongst the items of interest you’ll see is the seven metre long and two metre high 150^th anniversary tapestry, which depicts various sporting and entertainment events that have been held at the MCG over the time.

There’s also a brilliant painting by Archibald Prize winning painter, Vincent Fantauzzo, of the Australian 2020 ICC Women’s World Cup T20 winning team celebration, and a photo of the great Don Bradman with Sachin Tendulkar, the cricketer who he thought most closely resembled his style of play.

Viewers of the AFL Grand Final will be familiar with the entertainment each year and there’s also a tribute to the artists who have played at the MCG over the years. In 2022 the star was Robbie Williams, who brought the house down with his typical powerhouse show and flamboyance, where he entertained the crowd in a bright pink suit. That suit is now also on display in the MCG, having been secured by the Melbourne Cricket Club Foundation via the McGrath Foundation, pink test auction.

After the MCG tour you can visit the Australian Sports Museum which houses memorabilia from the Melbourne Olympics as well as paying tribute to many of Australia’s favourite sports identities.

It’s especially noticeable how many women athletes have played a huge role in representing Australia in various sports at world champion, elite level, including surfer Layne Beachley, netball player Liz Ellis and tennis great Evonne Goolagong Cawley. They are amongst many that have paved the way and remain role models for other Australian female athletes.

One of the unforgettable exhibits is a hologram of Shane Warne in which he talks about his own cricket career and it’s quite moving to see and hear him as if he were still here today. It leaves you with goose bumps and a sadness of what he could have continued contributing to the sport of cricket.

The museum is highly interactive, with touchscreens throughout and a fun section where you can put your skills (or lack of) to the test with interactive challenges. Can you jump as high as an AFL player? Kick a winning goal? Take a cricket slips catch? These and more challenges will test you, or in our case provide a lot of laughs along the way.

The guided tour of the MCG and entry to the museum costs $48 for adults, and other ticket prices can be found on the website.

Have fun,

Glenys