RECORD CROWDS FOR BOXING DAY
Source: Cricket Australia – CA Multicultural Media (eLanka)
Australian cricket yesterday recorded its highest ever attendance for a single day.
A total of 152,375 fans attended Day 1 of the NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the KFC 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 score 6-311 after electing to bat first in the fourth NRMA Insurance Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test. This was 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.
Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer, said:
“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.
“Those at the MCG will never forget Sam Konstas’ incredible Test debut, while two thrilling BBL matches have continued a trend of nail-biting finishes every night.
“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.”
ENDS
