The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has chosen architects WilkinsonEyre to design two new stands in the next phase of development at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Read more
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JanWilkinsonEyre scoops Lord’s redevelopment job
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Lord’s Cricket Ground has adopted Exterity IP video and digital signage to give cricket fans a world class spectator experience. Read more
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Footy fans attending last Friday’s AFL Qualifying Final between Geelong Cats and Hawthorn at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) were encouraged to connect to the stadium’s Wi-Fi at half-time to help the venue set a new Wi-Fi connection record.
The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Trust have presented a billion-dollar plan to the Victorian Government that proposes a link between the MCG and the Melbourne and Olympic Parks.
MCG Free Wi-Fi
The state-of-the-art Wi-Fi network is free, and allows fans to access real-time and interactive content, post and check in on social networks, use apps to check fantasy team scores and stream video – all without tapping into their own mobile data plans.
Melbourne Cricket Club’s (MCC) CEO, Stephen Gough, said:
We are delighted to be able to offer an improved MCG experience for the 2016 AFL season, with visitors able to stay connected wherever they are in the stadium.
Since December, more than 50,000 MCG patrons have connected to the Wi-Fi network.
Unsurprisingly, the longer-form Test matches played over the summer attracted more Wi-Fi users and data usage compared to the shorter BBL games – with day one of the Boxing Day Test recording the highest data use to date.
Gough added:
We have received fantastic feedback about the free Wi-Fi throughout the summer and look forward to seeing how fans enjoy the enhanced connectivity during the AFL season.
There are some big games scheduled for the MCG in Round 1, and we encourage everyone to connect and make the most of the improvements.
The scale of the Wi-Fi project is on par with the world’s best and biggest stadiums, with more than 227km of cable installed to enable Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the entire stadium.
Put into context, that is enough cable to wrap around the hallowed turf almost 480 times, or stretch from the MCG to Yarrawonga, on the New South Wales border.
Gough concluded:
This project has involved significant investment by the MCC, and we have worked closely with our partners – including Cockram Construction, IBM and Cisco – to find the most appropriate and long-term technology solutions for the MCG and our patrons.
Fans will need to complete a one-off registration to connect to the Wi-Fi when first visiting the MCG for the AFL season – and can simply reconnect on future visits. Those who have connected during the cricket season will need to re-register for the AFL season.
Enhanced 3G and 4G coverage
Fans will also find it easier to use their mobile device wherever they are in the MCG. Telstra led the installation of the largest Distributed Antenna System (DAS) of its kind to improve the 3G and 4G mobile connectivity within the stadium.
Mike Wright, Telstra Group Managing Director, Networks, said:
The design, collaboration and construction of core infrastructure has taken over two years and required an extraordinary amount of technology needed to connect up to 100,000 fans. It’s the equivalent of providing network coverage for Ballarat and Shepparton – towns with a combined population of more than 100,000 people across nearly 400 square kilometres – but compressed within the confines of the MCG. This will provide spectators with a world-class experience when they use their device from anywhere in the ground, to stream video, browse the internet, upload photos to social media, receive telephone calls and access content on apps.
Cisco Systems’ Director, Jonathon Dixon, said:
Fan expectations are greater than ever, mandating a more connected sporting venue that enables fans to share and consume relevant content and services, while engaging with more people from any device, anywhere in the stadium. Cisco is excited and honoured to be a part of the MCG’s long-term road map for transforming one of the most historic stadiums in world and creating unimaginable new experiences for fans in the future.
The MCG’s General Manager, Commercial Operations, Gavin Corcoran, provides insights for the Fan Engagement roundtable-style feature running in our Q1 edition, which goes to print this week, with the digital edition to be available for download from next week.
The MCG’s Arenas Operations Manager, Tony Gordon, also provides his expert opinions for another major industry feature running in this issue, which offers advice on how to keep your playing surface in perfect condition.
Our Q1 edition also includes a Regional Market Report highlighting sports venue projects across Australia and New Zealand.
Plans are being developed to bring an exciting new tourism product to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), allowing visitors and locals to see and experience Australia’s most famous stadium like never before.
With the assistance of an AUD$650,000 grant from the Federal Government’s Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure program, Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) will now seek to develop the finer details behind a Roof Experience attraction at the MCG.
In addition to the ever-popular stadium tour and National Sports Museum products, visitors will be able to walk on the MCG’s city-end roof, taking in spectacular views of the ground itself, as well as Melbourne’s sporting precinct and city skyline.
As if that wasn’t enough, they will also be able to add to the thrill with a unique zipline that will transport participants from the city end scoreboard to a landing on the opposite side of the stadium.
The roof experience will enhance the MCG’s existing multi-faceted tourism offering and be a must-see attraction that will encourage repeat visitation.
The project represents a multi-million dollar investment by MCC, with management to continue scoping how and when the new attraction will be implemented at the stadium.
MCC CEO Stephen Gough said:
We are very confident that these new products will add value to the experience of visiting the MCG and enhance its reputation as a premier tourist attraction.
This will cement the MCG as a one-stop shop for events, with an all-round, unique Melbourne experience in the one venue – a stadium tour, roof experience, meeting and function facilities, sports museum, and food and beverage services all on site.
Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events, John Eren, welcomed funding for the new MCG tourism venture. He confirmed:
The MCG is renowned as one of the world’s top stadiums. This new access will be unprecedented, and will offer great views of the best of everything Melbourne offers.
