Melbourne, Dec 27 – The Boxing Day weekend was a record‑setting affair for Australian cricket. At the Melbourne Cricket Ground a crowd of 94,199 watched 20 wickets tumble in the fourth Ashes Test, while the Sydney Cricket Ground drew 25,589 fans for the Melbourne Stars’ seven‑wicket victory over the Sydney Sixers. Optus Stadium welcomed 42,620 spectators for the Perth Scorchers’ Boxing Day clash against the Hobart Hurricanes. The combined attendance of 162,408 fans broke the previous all‑time Boxing Day mark of 152,375 set a year earlier and set new single‑day totals for each venue.
The MCG’s 94,199 is the highest number of spectators for any day of cricket in Australia, surpassing the 93,013 gathered for the 2015 ODI World Cup final. The SCG’s crowd is the largest ever for the annual Boxing Day fixture, and Optus Stadium’s figure eclipses the Scorchers’ previous BBL 13 record.
Cricket Australia’s chief executive, Todd Greenberg, hailed the weekend as a “landmark day for Australian Cricket.” He added, “To set a new single day attendance record of 162,408 is a proud moment for Australian Cricket and reflects our sport’s popularity and strength nationwide.” Greenberg went on to say, “The Boxing Day Test is bigger than cricket. It is one of the nation’s great events and those who were at the MCG yesterday will cherish the experience forever.” He also noted that “attending Big Bash games is a summer ritual for many Australian families and the buzz around the competition is as loud as it’s ever been.”
The record‑breaking day follows a summer of rising crowds and viewership, with all three formats enjoying expanded audiences across Foxtel and Seven. Cricket Australia thanked fans for making the day one of the most memorable in recent history and looks forward to packed stadiums for the remainder of the season.
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