Boxing Day Test to be held in Melbourne until 2030 under new deal

The Boxing Day Test will be held in Melbourne until at least 2030, under a new deal announced by the Victorian government.

The Boxing Day Test will stay in Melbourne until 2030. Picture: Michael Klein

The Boxing Day Test will be held in Melbourne until at least 2030, under a new deal announced by the state government.

After months of whispers, Premier Jacinta Allan and Tourism, Sport and Major Events minister Steve Dimopoulos on Sunday announced a deal had been struck keeping the cricket at the MCG for another seven years.

As part of the deal the 150th Anniversary Men’s Ashes Test between Australia and England will also be played at the MCG in 2027.

The deal is for another seven years. Picture: Michael Klein

“We are proud to welcome fans from around the world to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Ashes at the MCG, the boxing day test belongs in Victoria, and that’s where it will stay,” Ms Allan said.

The event has held in Melbourne for four decades but its future was left under a cloud amid contract negotiations, which Mr Dimopoulos has refused to comment on in recent months, simply confirming that negotiations were ongoing with licence holders.

However, upon the confirmation on Sunday said it would be a great tourism drawcard for the state.

“ “Victoria is Australia’s major events capital – and now there’s more reasons to travel from around Australia, and across the globe with events like these.”

Cricket, Australia, CEO, Nick Hockley said “We are enormously grateful to the Victorian Government, and we’re delighted, the MCG will host a fantastic array of matches and events over the next seven years.”

Ms Allan said Women’s Cricket will also benefit from the detail with matches from early 2025.

She also said she looked forward to the the 150th anniversary match to be held in March 2027.

“This will be a historic occasion, as well as a showcase of great cricket at the MCG “ she said.

Mr Dimopoulos said the new arrangement would change cricket in Australia.

“We are going to festivalise cricket,” he said.

“...it is something extraordinarily different, and especially than what we’ve done previously.

“We’re going to raise the show so high in terms of live music and food and festival zones and fan zones and community outreach.

“Come and try activities. This will be like the Australian Open festival of cricket over the next seven years.”