MCG calls on AFL fans to help make Wi-Fi history

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September 8, 2016

Fans attending Friday night’s AFL Qualifying Final between Geelong and Hawthorn at the MCG will be encouraged to connect to the stadium’s Wi-Fi at half-time to help it set a new Wi-Fi connection record.

With a crowd of more than 85,000 expected, the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) is hoping to better the stadium’s previous mark for the most people connected to the Wi-Fi network at any one time.

Fans simply need to connect during the half-time break for the chance to win a special Guns N’ Roses experience, including four tickets to the upcoming MCG concert and access to an exclusive cocktail function.

MCC Chief Executive Stephen Gough said the finals series provided a perfect opportunity to put the Wi-Fi network through its paces and test its full capacity.

Gough explained “since launching our free Wi-Fi network last summer, we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from cricket and football fans alike.

“However, just as the competing teams will be looking to reach their peak during the finals series, we too are hoping to put our Wi-Fi network under maximum pressure and set a new record for the most people connected to Wi-Fi at one time at the MCG.”

More than 150,000 people have connected to the MCG free Wi-Fi network during this AFL season, allowing them to access real-time and interactive content, post and check in on social networks, use apps to check fantasy team scores and stream video - all without tapping into their own mobile data plans.

The Wi-Fi network was installed prior to Christmas last year, part of a $40 million technology investment in the MCG that included new scoreboards, hundreds of networked television screens, exterior lighting and LED signage inside the stadium.

MCG image courtesy of the MCC/Craig Musselwhite.

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