National Sports Museum in Melbourne set to receive $17.1 million upgrade

February 18, 2019

The National Sports Museum at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is set to undergo a $17.1 million redevelopment that will include expanded exhibits of sporting memorabilia and new multi-media displays.

Increasingly identified as a way of generating attendance at venues during non-event days, sport museums around the world are being redeveloped as entertainment and educational experiences.

The MCG redevelopment will include expanded coverage of football and a new Hall of Fame section to tell its history to visitors from both home and abroad.

The Victorian Government will contribute $5 million to the overall $17.1 million upgrade to the attraction, which originally opened back in 2008.

Revealing that over 140,00 people visited the museum annually and a hope that the upgrade would encourage visitors to return time and time again, Melbourne Cricket Club President Steven Smith advised “if the MCG is the home of Australian sport then the National Sports Museum is the heart of it.

“Sport is about who we are as a nation. Everyone has a story and connection to sport and its pivotal role in Australia’s social, cultural and national identity. It’s part of our fabric.

“This upgrade will ensure a visit to the National Sports Museum is fun, exciting and interactive and offer a shared family experience that will encourage people to come back over and over again.

“The new-look National Sports Museum will be a leading-edge venue in the sporting and cultural landscape and we’re thrilled by the support from the State Government to ensure we create a vibrant and unique sporting experience for all visitors.”

The museum will close later this year for renovations with its upgraded form to reopen in March 2020.

Image show swimming legend Shane Gould and AFL legend Kevin Bartlett with Victorian Sports Minister Martin Pakula and MCC President Steven Smith at yesterday's announcement.

15th February 2019 - National sports raffle to aid fundraising for grassroots sports and charities

22nd January 2019 - Global award recognises Melbourne Cricket Club’s customer service achievements

26th January 2019 - Prominent industry achievers recognised in Australia Day Honours

21st September 2017 - National Gallery of Victoria rated Australia’s top museum

25th April 2011 - Museum marks Australian Institute of Sport’s 30 Years

9th October 2018 - Olympic legend to be honoured at Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium

20th December 2018 - Leisure portfolios confirmed in newly sworn in Victorian Government

21st July 2015 - South Australian Sports Museum concept moves forward

4th May 2016 - Billion-dollar plan to link MCG and Melbourne Park

6th July 2010 - Sport tourism takes centre stage

13th October 2017 - Hall of Fame Awards recognise Australian sporting achievement

9th October 2008 - Australian sporting heroes honoured

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