Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is Australia's biggest and most popular stadium as well as a cultural icon to Melbourne and Australia. The land was granted to MCG in 1853 and was inaugurated in 1838. It is an exceptionally active stadium accommodating international cricket, Australian Rules football, concerts, dinners, and other major functions on its natural turf arena. There are more than 90 days of cricket and football each year and attendance exceeds 3.5 million annually. Apart from hosting national and international sports events, the MCG is also a major tourist attraction with much of Australia's sporting history residing within the walls of its stately old Pavilion and modern day Australian Gallery of Sport and Olympic Museum. Guided tours take visitors through the members' pavilion, which includes the MCG's museum and library. Access is via the Australian Gallery of Sport and Olympic Museum. Souvenirs and gifts are also available at the MCG shop.
The Australian Gallery of Sport and Olympic Museum is a must visit for all sport buffs. They gallery is dedicated to the history of 20 selected sports and features a fine collection of mementos from each of the Modern Games, especially the 1956 Olympics for which the MCG was the main stadium. The most recent addition is the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, which opened in 1996 and is a shrine dedicated to great game performers.
Melbourne Park
Melbourne Park, also known as the National Tennis Centre, is Melbourne's sports and large-scale concerts venue. International sport events including the Australian Open, one of the four Grand Slam competitions of tennis, are held under Melbourne Park's unique retractable roof. This complex was completed in 1988 at a cost of A$94 million and underwent significant expansion in 1995. Facilities include 4 show courts, 20 outdoor and 5 indoor courts, a 1,800 sq. meter Function Centre, and a capacity of 16,000 seating in the main stadium. It is also famous for its opening roof that allows the main arena to accommodate different games' requirements.
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