The highest-ever attendance for a single day was attained by Australian cricket yesterday. 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 drew 152,375 spectators.
The record set 12 months ago, when 120,662 fans entered the gates on Boxing Day 2023, has increased by 26%. Australia chose to bat first in the fourth NRMA Insurance Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Melbourne, where an audience of 87,242 watched them score 6-311. This attendance set a new record for a day of Test cricket in Australia against India.
The Sydney Sixers defeated the Melbourne Stars by eight wickets in the second game of the day, which was seen by 23,212 spectators, the most ever at the SCG’s yearly Boxing Day encounter.
At Optus Stadium, the Perth Scorchers welcomed 41,921 spectators, their second-largest-ever home and away audience, to watch them defeat the defending champion Brisbane Heat by 33 runs, setting a new national single-day attendance record.
The Boxing Day attendance record follows the setting of single-day and total attendance records for Test matches against India in Adelaide, Brisbane, and Perth. The Big Bash also saw notable improvements in broadcast audiences across Foxtel and Seven.
“With records falling across all three venues to host Test and BBL matches, Boxing Day 2024 has been a landmark day for Australian cricket,” stated Nick Hockley, CEO of Cricket Australia.
Australian cricket is thrilled to have achieved a new single-day attendance record of 152,375, which demonstrates the power and appeal of our sport across the country.
Two exciting BBL matches have maintained the pattern of nightly nail-biting finishes, while Sam Konstas‘ amazing Test debut will live on in the memories of those at the MCG.
Every Test match has attracted record crowds with to the captivating on-field action, and this summer, attendance and audience growth have increased across all formats. It was an amazing day for cricket, and we thank everyone who watched or went to a match. We hope to see crowded stadiums around the nation for the rest of the summer.
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