AusLeisure

Cricket Australia has revealed that not only did the five days of Boxing Day Test at the MCG achieve a record crowd but that 26th December also saw the game record its highest-ever attendance for a single day.

A total of 152,375 fans attended Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG and BBL 14 matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Optus Stadium.

This is a 26% increase on the record set 12 months ago when 120,662 fans came through the gates on Boxing Day 2023.

In Melbourne, a crowd of 87,242 watched Australia electing to bat first in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test - a record attendance for a day of Test cricket against India in Australia.

The day’s second match saw the Sydney Sixers defeat the Melbourne Stars by eight wickets in front of 23,212 fans, the largest-ever crowd at the SCG’s annual Boxing Day fixture.

The national single-day attendance record was then sealed at Optus Stadium, as the Perth Scorchers welcomed 41,921 fans - their second-largest-ever crowd for a home and away match - to watch them defeat reigning champions Brisbane Heat by 33 runs.

The Boxing Day attendance record comes after total and single-day records were set for Test matches against India in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane and with the Big Bash achieving significant increases in attendances and broadcast audiences across Foxtel and Seven.

Welcoming the crowd numbers, Cricket Australia Chief Executive, Nick Hockley stated “Boxing Day 2024 has been a landmark day for Australian Cricket, with records tumbling across all three venues to play host to Test and BBL matches.

“To set a new single-day attendance record of 152,375 is a proud moment for Australian Cricket and reflects our sport’s popularity and strength nationwide.

“The unmissable on-field action has driven record crowds to every Test match, with all formats experiencing attendance and audience growth this summer. We thank all those who watched or attended a match on an incredible day for cricket and look forward to seeing packed venues around the country for the remainder of the summer.”

Image: Crowds at the MCG on day 1 of the Boxing Day Test. Credit: MCG.

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