MELBOURNE, 4 December 2024: Victoria’s Summer of Cricket & the Boxing Day Test at the iconic MCG, when Australia takes on India in the 4th Test of the series, will have cricketing action inside the stadium and a cultural bonanza called the Summer Festival outside in Yarra Park. A reliable source says, attempts are being made to rope in a few prominent actors for the biggest ever Boxing Day Summer Festival at the MCG.
The Indian-themed Summer Festival in Yarra Park will be filled with family friendly activities – the Summer Festival, helping celebrate the rich connection between India and Victoria, with a focus on food, music, art, cricket and community.
The Summer Festival will feature live music, Bollywood dance performances, celebrity chef demonstrations, food trucks and pitches for pop-up cricket games and each morning experts will provide a preview of the day’s play and big screens will show all the action from inside the ground throughout the days.
The Summer Festival, which is free entry for fans, will be delivered by Cricket Australia across the first three days of the Boxing Day Test (26-28 December 2024).
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos today joined Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley, Melbourne Renegades WBBL champion Nicole Faltum and Victoria player Todd Murphy at the MCG today. Minister Steve Dimopoulos addressing the media said the Summer Festival outside will reflect the colours of India.
As an added bonus after stumps on day three, fans will also have the opportunity to walk across to John Cain Arena to see the first ever professional Kabaddi matches played in Australia. The second biggest sport in India behind cricket, Pro Kabaddi Melbourne Raid will feature a double header with Indian and Australian sporting superstars.
Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia CEO, who ends his term at the end of December 2024, said the series will be the most watched in the history of Cricket and ticket sales are booming with a full house expected. This will be fantastic and wonderful, he said.
A trailer of the type of Bollywood entertainment that will be at the Summer Festival was performed by four dancers on the popular song ‘Nach Baliyae…’ in glittering Indian outfits in front of the Gate 2 at the MCG today after the media conference.
This season’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy series promises to be an unforgettable experience for cricket fans across Australia as the top-ranked men’s Test teams face off in a thrilling five match showdown.
The series begun with the West Test in Perth from 22 November, followed by the day- night Test at Adelaide Oval. Brisbane’s Gabba Ground will host the two cricketing giants from 14 December before the series culminates in two of the most iconic events in world cricket: the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, and the New Year’s Test at the historic SCG, promising an unforgettable experience for fans.
