After nearly 87 years, the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) set a new Test match attendance record in Australia. Over five days, 373,691 people gathered to the arena, breaking the 1937 record of 350,534 established by Sir Donald Bradman’s Australia-England Test.
The final day of the blockbuster Test against India gathered 51,371 fans by the first session and more expected later in the afternoon. It eclipsed the 43,867 fans who attended day four, an unusual occurrence that astonished the MCC, which manages the MCG.
Over five days, attendance was 87,242, 85,147, 83,073, 43,867, and 74,362. The MCC miscalculated the population for the fifth day, creating to logistical issues, including major traffic congestion owing to limited gate access.
Public parking was opened in Yarra Park, usually reserved for major events, to accommodate the influx. After India’s dramatic tie against Pakistan at the MCG in the 2022 T20 World Cup, 90,293 spectators watched the match and 82,507 watched the match against Zimbabwe.
Australia has assigned India 340 runs to chase in the five-match Test series, which is level at 1-1. India is close to defeat after losing seven wickets for fewer than 150 runs on the final day.
