Melbourne, Dec 27 (NationPress) A remarkable total of 162,408 spectators filled the stands on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, alongside the Big Bash League 15 matches held at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Optus Stadium.

Attendance on Friday surpassed the previous year’s tally of 152,375 fans on Boxing Day 2024, marking a significant achievement. Each of the three venues set new attendance records, reflecting the immense popularity and appeal of Australia’s national sport.

In Melbourne, 94,199 fans witnessed a thrilling display as 20 wickets fell during the fourth Ashes Test, establishing a record for a single day of cricket in Australia. This figure exceeded the prior record of 93,013 set during the ODI World Cup final in 2015. The second match of the day featured the Melbourne Stars triumphing over the Sydney Sixers by seven wickets in front of 25,589 attendees, marking the largest crowd ever for the SCG’s annual Boxing Day event.

The record-setting attendance continued at Optus Stadium, where the Perth Scorchers drew in 42,620 fans—their biggest crowd for the Boxing Day Bash, surpassing the previous record from BBL 13—during their match against the reigning champions, the Hobart Hurricanes.

The Boxing Day attendance record follows a series of outstanding total and single-day records set during the initial three Ashes Tests, with the Big Bash League enjoying significant growth in both attendance and viewership on Foxtel and Seven.

Todd Greenberg, CEO of Cricket Australia, remarked, “Boxing Day 2025 has proven to be a historic moment for Australian Cricket, with records being broken at all three venues hosting Test and BBL matches.

“Achieving a new single-day attendance record of 162,408 is a proud milestone for Australian Cricket, showcasing the sport’s popularity and strength across the nation.

“The Boxing Day Test transcends cricket; it is one of our nation’s great events, and those fortunate enough to be at the MCG will hold onto that experience forever.

“Likewise, attending Big Bash games has become a cherished summer tradition for many Australian families, and the excitement surrounding the competition is at an all-time high. We are witnessing extraordinary performances, record run chases, and an ongoing trend of thrilling finishes night after night.

“The unmissable action on the field has attracted record crowds to every Test match, with all formats experiencing a surge in attendance and viewership this summer.

“We express our gratitude to everyone who watched or attended a match on this extraordinary day for cricket and look forward to seeing packed venues across the nation for the rest of the summer.”