a sports stadium with a field

Melbourne, VIC · Summer

Boxing Day Test

26-30 December

The Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian summer institution. Five days of Test cricket begin on 26 December, and day one regularly draws 80,000 or more, one of the biggest crowds in world cricket. When the Ashes are on, the day is an event of national scale.

You do not need to be a cricket obsessive to enjoy it: the MCG on Boxing Day is as much ritual as sport, from the first ball roar to the long afternoon sessions. Later days are cheaper and quieter, and the ground's position in Yarra Park puts it a short walk from the city.

  • Sport
  • Major Event
When
26-30 December
How often
Every year
Venue
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Crowd
Approx. 250,000-350,000 across five days
Entry
Paid
Setting
Outdoor
Public holiday
Boxing Day
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)Approx. 250,000-350,000 across five daysOfficial event site

Dates shown follow the event's typical pattern; exact dates change each year, so confirm on the official site before booking travel.

Getting there by bus

Tell us where you're starting from and we'll find coach options to Melbourne. We’ve prefilled the usual event date; adjust it to suit your plans.

One-way trip

Fares and timetables are confirmed on the operator's site before you book.

More events around Melbourne