Victoria is aiming to set the world record for the biggest ever crowd at a women's sporting match, when the MCG hosts the Women's Final of the ICC T20 World Cup one year from today.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula was joined by the stars of Australian women's cricket at the MCG today to mark one year until the women's final.
For the first time in its history, the ICC World T20 will feature two stand-alone events. The women's competition will be held in February and March, before the men play in October and November.
A sellout crowd for the Women's Final on International Women's Day would make history – breaking the world record attendance for any women's sport fixture.
Melbourne is Australia's sporting capital and with the eyes of the world focusing their attention on the MCG for the Women's Final, our state is set to embrace women's sport like no other location has before.
Group games for the women's tournament will be played at Junction Oval in St Kilda thanks to a $40 million investment from the Labor Government, Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria towards the redevelopment of the iconic ground.
The Government's $25 million contribution has given our top male and female cricketers the ground and facilities they deserve.
The Victorian Cricket and Community Centre features the new headquarters for Cricket Victoria, female-friendly facilities for our elite women's cricket team VicSpirit, and state-of-the-art medical and rehabilitation areas.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground, Junction Oval and Kardinia will be hosting more matches than any other state during the tournament, confirming Victoria's status as the sporting capital.
As stated by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula
"Victoria is one of the world's great sporting cities and the MCG is one of the world's greatest venues – there's nowhere better to set the record for the biggest ever crowd for a women's sporting match."
"It's an ambitious task, but imagine the atmosphere of a sold out MCG cheering on superstars like Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup on International Women's Day in 2020."
