What You Need to Know Before Booking AFL Games at the MCG

Key Takeaways:

• Arriving early helps you avoid queues and find better general admission spots

• Reserved seating and member access vary depending on the club and game

• Food inside the stadium is basic, so many locals eat beforehand

• Planning your exit from the ground saves time and avoids crowd stress
  

You don’t need to be a lifelong footy fan to feel the pull of an AFL match at the MCG. The sheer scale of it hits you as soon as you step off the tram and see the crowds streaming toward the stadium. Flags waving, voices rising, scarves knotted tight — it’s not just a game, it’s part of Melbourne’s rhythm. Whether you’re heading to your first match or returning after years away, there’s something unforgettable about watching the game unfold on that massive field surrounded by nearly 100,000 people.

But it’s also easy to underestimate how much is happening around the game itself. Between navigating ticket types, picking the right gate, and dealing with a crush of people before and after the match, a bit of planning goes a long way. If you know what to expect, it’s a smooth ride. If you don’t, you’ll probably still have fun — just with cold chips and a sore neck from walking in circles. Here’s what’s worth knowing before you lock in your matchday plans.

The MCG Layout Can Catch You Out If You’re Not Prepared

The first surprise most people get is just how big the MCG really is. It’s not just the number of seats — it’s the scale of the place. You can walk ten minutes from your entry gate and still not be in your section. If you’re not paying attention to your ticket details, that quick dash to beat the siren turns into a sweaty jog across the concourse.

General admission is common for regular-season matches, but it often means less choice on where you end up. Most fans gravitate to the Ponsford Stand or Southern Stand if they’re not tied to a specific club area. But unless you’ve picked a reserved seat, getting there early is key. Late arrivals risk sitting behind goalposts or near stairwells, which kills the view.

The outer ring of the stadium also has fewer screens and limited cover. If you’re attending during winter, some seating areas catch the wind straight off the Yarra and hold it all game. The flip side is the view — even up high, the sightlines are solid. Just be prepared to walk. Following signs doesn’t always make things faster, especially when 80,000 people are doing the same thing.

Why Game Day Timing Matters More Than You Think

There’s a tempo to AFL match days in Melbourne, and it starts hours before the first bounce. If you’re meeting friends, lining up early, or hoping to snag general admission seats, it’s worth arriving well ahead of time. Around the MCG, things get busy from the moment gates open, especially when the game falls on a Friday night or during school holidays.

Friday night games have a buzzier crowd — packed trains, bigger queues at the bar, and longer waits for food. Afternoon games feel more relaxed, with families rolling in from the suburbs and kids chasing Sherrins on the grass outside. Either way, getting in early means fewer headaches. Security checks, ticket scanning, and even bathroom lines start to pile up fast about 45 minutes before the bounce.

Inside the ground, the early crowd often picks the better food options and gets seated without hassle. Once the siren goes, you’ll see a stream of latecomers still scrambling up aisles trying to find their row. If you’re keen to catch the pre-game entertainment or anthem — or just avoid squeezing past knees mid-quarter — don’t cut it too close. Even 15 minutes can make a big difference in how your day kicks off.

Ticket Options Vary Depending on the Club and the Match

Getting tickets to an AFL game at the MCG might seem straightforward at first, but there are a few layers worth knowing before you start scrolling through seating charts. Not all matches are treated equally, especially when crowd-pulling teams are involved or finals are on the line. The opponent, the round, and the venue setup all shape how access is handled — and when tickets actually go on sale.

For most regular-season games, there’s a general public allocation available a few weeks out. Members from each club typically get first access, with seating options varying depending on the membership tier. Some supporters opt for reserved season seating, while others stick with general admission and arrive early to claim a spot. When matches sell out fast, especially during finals or when demand spikes for Collingwood Football Club tickets, it’s worth checking if club members have early access or priority booking windows.

Third-party resellers do exist, but they often come with inflated pricing and unreliable seating details. It’s safer — and usually cheaper — to go through the official AFL or club sites. Keep an eye on game classifications too. “Blockbuster” games sometimes come with higher pricing or different allocations, especially when rivalries are involved. Planning ahead doesn’t just guarantee a better view — it also saves you from scrambling the week of the game when the good seats are long gone.

It’s Not Just About the Game — It’s a Full Melbourne Experience

Even before you scan your ticket at the gate, the buzz of an AFL match at the ‘G kicks in as you walk through Yarra Park. Families set up early with eskies, kids belt out club songs, and there’s always someone selling scarves for the team you forgot you supported. It’s all part of the atmosphere — loud, slightly chaotic, and deeply local.

Inside the ground, you’ll hear chants rolling from one side of the stadium to the other, fans clapping in unison after goals, and the unmistakable echo of the club anthem when players run onto the field. These aren’t just sideshows — they’re woven into the rhythm of the game. The crowd plays its own role, and first-timers quickly find themselves swept up in it.

What makes an MCG matchday memorable isn’t just the scoreline. It’s the details: the halftime ice cream queues, the roar after a specky, the older bloke next to you yelling at the umpire like he’s still on the team sheet. Whether your side wins or loses, there’s a strange comfort in knowing you’ve shared the day with tens of thousands of others who care just as much.

Food, Drinks and What to Skip Inside the Ground

There’s a certain nostalgia in grabbing a meat pie and sauce while watching the game, and for some, that’s reason enough to line up at the nearest kiosk. But if you’re heading to the MCG expecting variety, the in-stadium options are best viewed as functional rather than exciting. You’ll find hot chips, pies, sausage rolls, soft drinks, and mid-strength beers scattered across all stands, with a few newer outlets offering things like wraps and burgers.

What most seasoned fans do is eat before they go in. The precinct around Richmond Station and Swan Street is packed with pubs, bakeries, and takeaway joints that are faster, cheaper, and tastier than anything you’ll find inside. Some will even let you bring food in, as long as it’s not packaged in glass or bulky containers.

If you’re planning to drink, ID checks are common, and you’re limited to four beers per purchase. Security can also refuse service if they think you’ve had enough, and unlike other venues, there’s no option to upgrade to stronger drinks. Taps pour mid-strength only, and lines spike during the breaks. Bring your own water bottle, fill it at the bubblers, and you’ll dodge both queues and overpriced soft drinks.

Leaving the MCG Can Be as Tricky as Getting In

Once the final siren goes, it’s a slow shuffle to the exits. You’ll be moving with tens of thousands of others, all funnelling toward trams, trains, and rideshares at the same time. If you’re sitting on the outer side of the stadium near Jolimont Station, you might have a slightly easier time getting out, but even then, there’s no quick exit when the crowd is surging.

Trains from Richmond and Jolimont run frequently, but platforms get overwhelmed fast. If you’re in no rush, hanging back inside the stadium or grabbing a bite nearby can take the edge off the wait. Uber zones around the ground are usually packed, and GPS delays make pickups a pain — walking a few blocks away before hailing a ride often works better.

Night games bring the added challenge of limited public transport, especially on Sundays. Double-check the timetables if you’re relying on trains to get home. Locals know to avoid Swan Street immediately after the game and either head further into Richmond or walk toward the city to let the crowd thin out. It’s all part of the experience, but planning your exit is just as important as planning your arrival.

Conclusion: Think Ahead and You’ll Enjoy the Day Even More

An AFL game at the MCG has a rhythm of its own — part sport, part ritual, and entirely Melbourne. From the slow walk through Yarra Park to the echoing roars under the lights, it’s a day that stays with you well beyond the fourth quarter. And while the game itself is the main event, the lead-up and pack-down shape how it feels. The better prepared you are, the more you’ll enjoy what’s in between: the laughs, the tension, the first bounce, and the final siren. Whether you’re heading in solo, with mates, or making it a family day out, knowing what to expect makes all the difference.