Quick Answer
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has been the Melbourne Stars’ home ground since the club’s first Big Bash League season in 2011–12. It still holds the all-time BBL attendance record of 80,883, set on 2 January 2016 when the Stars played the Melbourne Renegades. That mark has never been beaten. A 68,124 crowd for the same fixture in the 2025–26 season ranks as the second-highest BBL attendance ever.
Quick facts before you read on:
- All-time BBL attendance record: 80,883 (Stars v Renegades, 2 January 2016)
- Second-highest BBL crowd: 68,124 (Stars v Renegades, 2025–26)
- Closest train stations: Jolimont and Richmond
- Gates open: around 1.5 hours before the first ball
- Payment at the ground: card only, fully cashless
- Ticket booth at the gate: none — tickets must be bought online first
You can check live scores and match updates any time on CRIC INFO 365.
What Makes a Melbourne Derby Night So Big?
Two Melbourne teams, one shared home ground, and a rivalry that started in the BBL’s first season. That mix turns a normal league game into something closer to a local football derby.
The Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades have met many times at the MCG. Every season, the highest Stars home crowd almost always comes against the Renegades. No other opponent pulls the same numbers. Fans treat the fixture like a must-see event. Players talk about the noise and the extra edge. Captains and coaches treat it as a season highlight.
In 2026 the clubs added a new prize called the Melbourne Mace. The winner of each Melbourne Derby takes the mace. The Renegades claimed the first one in a last-over thriller in front of more than 68,000 fans.
The Record Night: 2 January 2016
| Detail | Number |
|---|---|
| Final attendance | 80,883 |
| Previous BBL record (Adelaide Oval) | 52,637 |
| Fans inside by the first ball | 56,674 |
| Fans still stuck outside after play started | Over 24,000 |
| Player of the match | Luke Wright (century for Stars) |
According to ESPNcricinfo’s report from that night, the old record was broken before James Faulkner had even bowled the first ball. The night was not smooth. New security measures could not process fans fast enough. According to SBS News coverage, more than 24,000 fans were still outside well after play began. The official figure of 80,883 was only reached at the innings break once the queues cleared. Cricket Australia later issued a public apology.
That single night remains the high-water mark for any domestic cricket match in Australia.
The Closest Challenger: 2025–26 Season
| Detail | Number |
|---|---|
| Attendance | 68,124 |
| Result | Melbourne Renegades beat Melbourne Stars |
| Ranking | Second-highest BBL crowd ever |
| Season context | Biggest crowd of that entire BBL season |
According to Australasian Leisure Management, this crowd stood well clear of every other game played that day, including a 37,643 crowd at Optus Stadium for Perth Scorchers versus Adelaide Strikers.
How Have Melbourne Stars Crowds Changed Over the Years?
Crowd numbers at Stars home matches have moved up and down across seasons. Here is a selection of the club’s own season-by-season attendance figures at the MCG, drawn from public records of individual Melbourne Stars seasons.
Let me dig deeper into individual match attendance records for the Stars’ MCG games post-2020.Good news — individual match records do exist (via austadiums.com and ESPNcricinfo), even though Wikipedia stopped compiling them into per-season “highest/average” boxes after 2019–20. Let me pull the actual derby-game figures for each season, which are the most documented ones.Now I have solid figures. Here’s the full picture, straight from Wikipedia (through 2019–20) and Austadiums match-by-match records (2020–21 onward, since Wikipedia stopped compiling per-season attendance boxes for the Stars after that year):
| Season | Highest Home Attendance (MCG) | Opponent | Average Home Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–12 (debut) | 40,227 | Melbourne Renegades | 27,424 |
| 2012–13 | 46,581 | Melbourne Renegades | 13,684 |
| 2013–14 | 25,266 | Melbourne Renegades | 19,951 |
| 2014–15 | 37,323 | Melbourne Renegades | 27,871 |
| 2015–16 | 80,883 | Melbourne Renegades | 40,298 |
| 2016–17 | 71,162 | Melbourne Renegades | 49,578 |
| 2017–18 | 48,086 | Melbourne Renegades | 31,628 |
| 2018–19 | 46,418 | Melbourne Renegades | 21,541 |
| 2019–20 | 54,478 | Melbourne Renegades | 21,446 |
| 2020–21 | Crowds capped/no full data | — | COVID-restricted season |
| 2021–22 | Crowds capped/no full data | — | COVID-disrupted (squad outbreak) |
| 2022–23 | 38,564 | Melbourne Renegades (3 Jan 2023) | Not compiled |
| 2023–24 | 27,024 | Melbourne Renegades (2 Jan 2024) | Not compiled |
| 2024–25 | 40,636 | Melbourne Renegades (4 Jan 2025) | Not compiled |
| 2025–26 | 68,124 | Melbourne Renegades (4 Jan 2026) | Not compiled |
Key things worth flagging:
- 2020–21 and 2021–22: COVID-19 crowd caps and, in 2021–22, a squad-wide outbreak disrupted the season — no full attendance data was ever compiled for these years.
- 2022–23 onward: Wikipedia simply stopped maintaining the “highest/average home attendance” infobox for individual Melbourne Stars season pages. The figures I found came from Austadiums.com’s individual match records — I don’t have a verified season-wide average for these years, only the standout derby crowd.
- 2025–26’s 68,124 is a big deal — it’s the third-highest crowd ever recorded for a domestic T20 match, just shy of the all-time record (80,883, set by these same two teams in January 2016).
- Bigger picture: as of 2 June 2026, it was reported that the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades brands are being merged into a new, not-yet-named BBL franchise using the Stars’ existing license — so this rivalry (and separate club) may be nearing its end.
If you want, I could try to reconstruct full-season averages for 2022–23 through 2025–26 by pulling every individual Stars home match from Austadiums — it’d take a bit more digging but is doable.
What Memorable Cricket Has the MCG Seen During Stars Matches?
Big crowds are only part of the story. The ground has also produced rare cricket during Stars home games.
| Record | Detail | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest team total in BBL history (at the time) | Melbourne Renegades all out for 57 | 2014–15 |
| Largest successful run chase in BBL history (at the time) | Stars chased 182 against Perth Scorchers, finishing 7 for 182 in 19.3 overs | 2014–15 |
Two BBL records at the same ground in the same season give a sense of the drama the MCG has packed into Stars matches.
Other notable moments include the club’s first-ever BBL home game in 2011–12, captained by Cameron White and coached by Greg Shipperd. Luke Wright’s match-winning century on the record night in 2016 remains one of the standout individual performances. The team has worn green at the MCG since the beginning.
Marcus Stoinis now captains the side. Cameron White, a former Stars captain, is the coach. The squad mixes local Victorian players with overseas talent each season. Past names linked to strong MCG performances include Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, Kevin Pietersen and Luke Wright.
How Does the MCG Pitch Usually Play in Big Bash Games?
The MCG uses drop-in pitches. Conditions can change from season to season and even from match to match. Early in the innings, the new ball can move a little. Seamers often get some help under lights.
Boundaries are large by T20 standards. Batters who hit into the gaps and clear the shorter sides do well. Spinners can play a role, but the bigger boundaries make pure power hitting harder than at some other BBL grounds.
First-innings scores in recent BBL games at the ground have often sat around the mid-150s, though results swing both ways. Some nights produce high-scoring contests. Other nights the ball dominates and totals stay low. Teams that adapt on the day usually do better than those who stick to a fixed plan.
How Do You Get to the MCG for a Stars Match?
By train
| Station | Walk Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Jolimont Station | About 5 minutes through Yarra Park | Olympic Stand, Ponsford Stand, MCC Members Reserve |
| Richmond Station | Short walk | Shane Warne Stand |
By tram
| Route | Drops You Near | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Route 70 | Melbourne Park precinct | Gates 1, 5, 6 and 7 |
| Routes 48 and 75 | Near Jolimont Station | Gates 2 to 4 |
By car
- Parking is available in Yarra Park on event days.
- Payment is card only. No cash is accepted.
- Exit times can be slow because many pedestrians leave at the same time as cars.
- An alternative is to park in the CBD and walk about 20 minutes or take a short tram ride.
- Road closures are common. Brunton Avenue and nearby streets usually close from about 90 minutes before the match until roughly an hour after it ends.
This information is based on cricket.com.au’s official venue guide and the Melbourne Stars attending page.
What Should You Know About Gates, Seating and Match Day Extras?
Gate timing
| Ticket Type | Recommended Arrival |
|---|---|
| General admission (unreserved seating) | Right when gates open, for the best seat choice |
| Reserved seating | 45 to 60 minutes before play starts |
Gates generally open around 1.5 hours before the first ball, according to guides such as Koobit’s complete BBL match guide.
Buying tickets
There is no ticket booth at the gate. Tickets must be bought online in advance. Always check the gate number printed on your ticket because there are seven main entrances around the ground. Adult general admission tickets usually sit in the $30–45 range depending on the opponent and how early you buy. Family and concession options are available through the official Melbourne Stars site and Ticketek.
Facilities on match day
| Facility | Location |
|---|---|
| Parents’ rooms and change tables | Signposted around the ground |
| Multi-faith prayer room | Level B1, Shane Warne Stand |
| Australian Sports Museum | Open at half price until 15 minutes before match start |
| Accessibility entry gate | Gate 3B |
Gate 3B is a dedicated accessibility entrance for Stars matches. It sits near a Sensory Friendly Space and a Changing Places bathroom designed to reduce crowding and sensory pressure. Details appear on the MCG’s own event pages.
The MCG is a fully cashless venue. Have a card ready for food, drinks and merchandise once you are inside.
The Stars usually set up a fan zone in Yarra Park with activities for kids, giveaways and music. Night games under lights create a strong atmosphere as the stands fill.
Practical Checklist Before You Leave Home
| Step | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Buy your ticket online in advance | No ticket booth exists at the gate |
| Check which gate is printed on your ticket | Seven different entrances exist around the ground |
| Choose Jolimont or Richmond station | Both sit closest to the main stands |
| Bring a card, not cash | The entire venue is cashless |
| Plan for road closures if driving | Brunton Avenue closes roughly 90 minutes before and 60 minutes after the match |
| Arrive early if you have general admission seating | Reserved seating gives you more flexibility on timing |
| Check the weather | Melbourne evenings can turn cool even in summer |
FAQ
What is the biggest crowd ever recorded at a BBL match?
80,883 fans for the Melbourne Derby between Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades at the MCG on 2 January 2016.
Has that record ever come close to being broken?
Yes. A crowd of 68,124 attended a Stars versus Renegades match in the 2025–26 season. It ranks as the second-highest BBL attendance on record.
Which train station is closest to the MCG for Stars matches?
Jolimont Station is a five-minute walk through Yarra Park and is best for the Olympic Stand, Ponsford Stand and MCC Members Reserve. Richmond Station is better for the Shane Warne Stand.
Can you buy tickets at the gate on match day?
No. BBL tickets at the MCG must be bought online in advance. There is no ticket sale window at the ground itself.
What time do gates open before a Stars match?
Around one and a half hours before the first ball. This gives general admission ticket holders time to find preferred seats.
What is the seating capacity of the MCG?
The MCG holds 100,024 people in total, around 95,000 seats plus roughly 5,000 standing room spaces, making it Australia’s largest stadium and one of the biggest cricket grounds in the world.
What is the bag policy at the MCG?
The MCG operates a small-bag-only policy. Bags roughly A4-sized or smaller are generally fine, but large backpacks, suitcases and duffel bags are not permitted inside. There is no general public luggage storage at the ground, so plan to travel light.
Is there a cloakroom or luggage storage at the MCG?
No. The MCG does not offer a dedicated cloakroom or baggage storage facility for visitors, so oversized bags should be left at your accommodation or stored off-site before you arrive.
Does the MCG have a roof?
No. The MCG is a fully open-air stadium, so events go ahead rain or shine unless conditions become dangerous. Fans should check the forecast and dress accordingly, as there’s no roof to shelter under besides the concourses and grandstand overhangs.
Can I bring outside food and drinks into the MCG?
No. Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks generally aren’t allowed into major events, with an exception for a soft-sided reusable water bottle. There is a wide range of food and drink vendors inside the ground, including options in every stand.
Is there parking at the MCG?
Yes, but it’s limited and fills quickly. The main option is the Yarra Park car park right next to the ground, though it’s subject to closure in wet weather. Nearby paid options include Wilson Parking at Federation Square and parking around Exhibition Street. Most fans are advised to take public transport instead, since street parking is scarce.
Is the MCG wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Every stand has designated wheelchair-accessible seating and facilities, but these areas are limited and it’s recommended to book accessible tickets in advance rather than relying on general admission.
The Melbourne Stars and the MCG form one of the most recognisable pairings in Australian domestic cricket. The ground gives the team scale and atmosphere. The team gives the ground regular summer night action between the big international matches. For cricket fans in Melbourne or visitors, a Stars game at the ground is one of the best ways to experience the venue in a relaxed yet noisy T20 setting.
Check the fixtures each season, buy tickets early for the derby, and head to Yarra Park. The green army and the big stands still deliver.
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