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Up to 30,000 fans a day will be allowed to watch the Boxing Day Test live at the MCG, after Victorian health authorities approved an increase in the number of spectators allowed into the venue.

With the previous capacity for the Test match between Australia and India having been set a daily limit of 25,000 spectators a day, one quarter of the MCG's total capacity, the higher attendance capacity is to be permitted as a result of the COVIDSafe event plan submitted by the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) and Cricket Australia having been endorsed by the Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton.

Announcing the capacity increase, Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula stated “it's fantastic that we will be able to welcome 30,000 fans to the MCG on each day of the Boxing Day Test.

"It's testament to the hard work of all Victorians in fighting the virus that Cricket Australia and the MCC have been able to put together a plan that allows for more supporters than had been originally planned."

Cricket Australia also tweeted to say public tickets would go on sale from Friday, advising “we're so excited to be able to welcome so many fans to the MCG in what's been such a challenging year for Victorians.”

Amid uncertainty over fans attending sporting events due to the Coronavirus, during the winter months it was unclear whether the Boxing Day Test would be able to go ahead in Melbourne.

At the end of October it was announced the Test would be played at the MCG, although at that point crowd numbers had not been finalised.

The MCG has not hosted a cricket match since the Women's T20 World Cup final against India was held there in March.

Nonetheless, in October, the MCC agreed a new three-year deal with Cricket Australia to continue hosting international and domestic events until at least 2022.

Australia’s Test series against India will begin at the Adelaide Oval from 17th to 21st December before the MCG hosts its Test from 26th to 30th December. Subsequent Tests will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from 7th to 11th January and The Gabba in Brisbane from 15th to 19th January.

Image: The MCG during the 2019 Boxing Day Test.

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