There are quite a few reasons for you to visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground, known locally as the MCG - or simply "The Gee". It is a huge sports stadium, seating almost 100,000 people, where people enjoy the winter spectacle of Australian Rules Football (AFL, the "footy") or summer Cricket at state, national and international level. Rock concerts are held here, as are many cultural events. Indoors, the football clubs and cricket clubs have their rooms for players and members. The Melbourne Sports Museum is here, with several sporting artefacts and exhibitions from history. There's also several restaurants and conference spaces which are varied and practical. Car parking is underneath and public transport (trams, trains) are very close walking distance. It's a varied and useful venue.
Melbourne at the height of the football season is the best time to visit the MCG. The atmosphere is amazing (but, sadly, the weather is often not at its best) The crowds, the panoramas and the buzz of being there for a big game is remarkable! When the weather gets rough you do miss the roof at Etihad but the "G" is a Melbourne icon. Even if I can see better on my big TV at home!
This is an iconic place within Melbourne, must see if you are visiting to watch a cricket match (in the summer) or AFL match in the winter! One of the largest sporting grounds in Australia. My friend who is a Melbourne Cricket Club member got us tickets and passes to the balcony seat which provided a really nice atmosphere for us to enjoy the game. Make sure you wear a collared shirt if you are a guy and entering into the MCC area as the rules are fairly strict and you will get checked.
More than just a sporting venue
There is so much to say about the MCG that it is hard to know where to start (and keep it within length). Not only can you come here to watch a football or a cricket match, but you can also go on tours and even visit the national sporting museum. In fact there are people who consider this place to be their second home (though I am not one of them).
The best time to go to the MCG though is when there is one of the big games on (or a one day international game of cricket where people seem to dress up in the craziest costumes and chug enormous amounts of beer).
It certainly is a place that I would highly recommend for anybody passing through Melbourne, especially at the height of the football season.
