The MCG

Just back from Melbourne where among other things I went along to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, better known as the 'MCG'.

It's truly an awesome experience. With a curent capacity of 100,000, and record attendance of 130,000, it's one of the world's largest and most famous stadiums. It plays host to the AFL, rugby, and cricket, as well as the odd football (soccer) game and music concert. I'd definitely rank it up there with some of my other favourite stadiums like Old Trafford, the Maracana, and the Camp Nou.

Originally built for the '56 Olympics it's a 5 minute walk from the city, in Yarra Park. Indeed, the square mile around here must be one the greatest concentrations of sports arenas anywhere in the world. Next door to the MCG is the 15,000 all-seater Rod Laver Arena, host of the annual Australian Tennis Open. The neighbouring 56,000 'Telstra Dome' looks after another 5 of the 9 AFL teams in Melbourne. A 18,500 Olympic Park caters for those after some athletics action. And a 11,000 venue called the 'Hisense' hosts more tennis as well as basketball and concerts. Finally, a 8,000 'Lexus Centre' features swimming. And as if these aren't enough, a new 32,000 Melbourne Rectangular Stadium is being built adjacent to all of these to host rugby league and football (soccer).

You can see why Melbourne has three times been voted the world's most livable city. It's very sophisticated with lots of great cafes and bars, first-rate galleries and musuems, and plenty of parks and green spaces in and around the city centre. An excellent tram system gives it quite a European feel. It's close to the beach and has a river (the Yarra) running through the centre so you're never far from water. And with 29 stadiums of 10,000 people or more you get all the sport you could ask for - the Melbourne Cup, the Tennis Open, the MotoGP, the AFL final to mention but a few.

I'm really very envious...