MCG aiming for 40,000 fans at Boxing Day Test
A COVID limit of 25,000 fans has been set for the Boxing Day Test but MCG officials are making a case for a bigger crowd at the showpiece event.
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Cricket officials are secretly eyeing off a 40,000 crowd for Boxing Day, in a boost that would instantly lift the MCG Test back to its marquee status.
Plans are also still on the table for Melbourne to double up by hosting a historic day-night Test match to open the summer if there are any further complications with the Adelaide COVID outbreak.
But while that seems less likely now that South Australia’s lockout was lifted on Saturday night, hopes are growing the Victorian Government may raise the MCG’s COVID capacity of 25,000 significantly for the Boxing Day showpiece.
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Victoria has gone more than 20 consecutive days without a live case, and it’s understood the MCG has done modelling that shows that a 40,000 crowd could be safely managed inside the coliseum.
In NSW, venues have been permitted to seat at 50 per cent capacity, with 40,000 attending the NRL Grand Final and State of Origin at ANZ Stadium, while Queensland allowed a full 52,000 capacity at Suncorp Stadium for Origin III.
However, despite the MCG’s massive 100,000 capacity, it’s understood the Victorian Government and Health department — as well as ground officials — would feel uncomfortable with any more than 40,000 fans given what the city of Melbourne has been through with the pandemic.
The MCG has developed complex modelling, including the staging of a dress rehearsal with 300 patrons during the week.
A crowd between 35,000-40,000 could be managed while safely adhering to current guidelines on 1.5 metre space restrictions in exit areas, food stalls and boxes.
MCC officials would need to know by December 7 if the Victorian Government was prepared to lift the current 25,000 capacity, because that’s when a ballot will be opened up for members.
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Originally published as MCG aiming for 40,000 fans at Boxing Day Test
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