Festival Atmosphere to Takeover Yarra Park for Boxing Day Test Match at the MCG

The fourth Test of the five-test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between Australia and India will be a riot of color and sound at the Melbourne Cricket Ground's renowned NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test Match.

Prior to the historic CommBank Women's Ashes Test between Australia and England at the MCG in January, the Boxing Day Test will be bigger and better than ever with a Summer Festival in Yarra Park, in collaboration with the Victorian Government.

During the first three days of the Boxing Day Test (December 26–28, 2024), Cricket Australia will host the Summer Festival, which is free for spectators to attend and will highlight the rich ties between India and Australia through food, music, art, cricket, and community

The previous time India visited Australia for a Test series, the MCG was packed, with almost 176,000 spectators.

A packed house is anticipated on the first day at the MCG, and overall ticket sales have more than doubled compared to the same period in 2018.

In addition to the historic women's test match, Melbourne's cricket schedule has a CommBank Women's Ashes one-day international and men's KFC Big Bash League action in December and January.

The Ashes Test, which will take place from January 30 to February 2, 2025, will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the first women's Ashes series in 1934–1935 and be the first women's Test to be played at the MCG since 1949.

The Australian women's cricket team will also be playing at the MCG for the first time since their thrilling triumph against India in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020 Final, which was witnessed by 86,174 spectators.

Nick Hockley, CEO of Cricket Australia, stated:

"One of the most recognizable matches on the cricket calendar is the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, which is acknowledged worldwide. Australia and India's rivalry is only growing, and we are eager to see the MCG in full force on Boxing Day.

We would like to express our gratitude to the Victorian Government for supporting the Summer Festival in Yarra Park, which has an Indian theme and will undoubtedly improve the experience of MCG visitors. To be a part of this momentous and historic event, we urge everyone to purchase their tickets as soon as possible.

"We're also getting closer to the Women's Ashes, which starts on January 30 and ends with the Pink Ball Test. The first-ever day-night Test at the MCG will be celebrated as another cricket milestone, much as the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Final in 2020.

Steve Dimopoulos, Minister of Tourism, Sport, and Major Events, stated: 

"This collaboration with Cricket Australia will provide exciting cricket action throughout the summer, with a major Boxing Day Test Match against India and a historic women's Ashes Test Match in January as the highlights."

"As some of the most ardent cricket fans in the world travel to Melbourne to pack the MCG, the Boxing Day Test against India will be the perfect way to celebrate our state's strong relationship with India, giving a huge boost to our local economy and packing our hotels, bars, and restaurants."