Shaded Seats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of Melbourne’s major multi-purpose venues. Set on the Yarra River near the CBD, MCG hosts AFL, international cricket, and many of Australia’s marquee events. Melbourne can swing from hot to cool in short periods of time. The angle of the sun shifts throughout the day and the huge stadium casts shadows that are constantly changing. Fans can use this guide along with the stadium seating chart to find the best shaded seats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Where Are the Seats in the Shade and Sun at Melbourne Cricket Ground?
As a general rule, the seats in the shade at MCG depend on the time of day:
- Morning: Shaded on the east and north sides of the stadium
- Early Afternoon: Shaded on the north and west sides of the stadium
- Late Afternoon: Shaded on the west, north and south sides of the stadium
- Evening: Shade everywhere except the east side of the stadium
Shade always changes with the season, clouds, and start of play. Test matches at the MCG can start as early as 10:30 AM, which means seats in the shade during the first ball may be in the path of the sun later and vice versa. For shade seekers, the best bet is to choose a seat that will be shaded for a large portion of the day, and bring quality sun protection for the other hours.
Melbourne Cricket Ground Orientation to the Sun
The pitch at MCG is oriented north-to-south. The sun rises in the east, tracks across the northern sky and dips toward the western horizon. For a test match, this means the east side is shaded for the morning session. After the lunch break, the west side is more favorable to shade while the east starts to become sunny.
The graphic below shows the approximate hour-by-hour position of the sun throughout the day on January 1st.
Where to Buy Tickets
Ticketek is the official ticketing agency for most events at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. However, some major concerts and special events at the MCG are instead sold via Ticketmaster under promoter-specific deals, so the safest option is to consult the official MCG or event promoter website.
Navigating the Melbourne Cricket Ground Seating Map
The MCG is one of the world’s largest stadiums, with the seating bowl divided into four big chunks:
- Shane Warne Stand (Bays 1-28)
- Ponsford Stand (Bays 29-36)
- MCC Members’ Reserve (Bays 37-48)
- Olympic Stand (Bays 49-57)
Within each stand, seats are identified by a letter plus number pattern:
- M level = Level 1 (ground level)
- N level = Level 2
- P level = Level 3
- Q level = Level 4 (upper deck)
Every bay starts with Row A closest to the fence, then runs back through the alphabet (A, B, C, etc.). After Z, rows continue as AA, BB, CC, and so on.
MCG Shade During Morning Sessions (approximately 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
First ball at a Test match at the MCG is usually at 10.30 AM. At this hour, shade seekers should focus on the east and north sides of the stadium. The Olympic Stand (Bays 49-57) is a good choice for shade during this session. Bays 1-5 in the Shane Warne Stand can also offer early shade, though many other bays in this stand are exposed to morning sun.
MCG Shade During Afternoon Sessions (approximately 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
By the lunch break, the sun is near its highest point of the day. When the afternoon session begins, it’s almost directly above the stadium. The MCG has a roof that runs around the bowl, but it doesn’t extend far enough to cover every row in every bay. At this time of day your best chance for shade is under cover, which generally means a Q-level bay. If you don’t want the upper deck, prefer the north and north-west sides: the Olympic Stand and MCC Members’ Reserve may not be shaded in every level for the whole session, but as the day goes on you will be happy you chose this side of the stadium over the opposite side.
MCG Shade During Evening Sessions (approximately 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM)
After tea, shade concentrates on the west side. The MCC Members’ Reserve and Ponsford Stand are now the best options for shade. As the sun dips the shadows move back to front: the farther you sit from the field, the earlier your row is shaded. In order, Q-level is shaded first, then P-level, N-level, and finally M-level.
Right after the tea break, shade is concentrated in the MCC Members’ Reserve and Ponsford Stands on the west side of the stadium.
Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire
MCG Shade During Events Starting After 6:00 PM
T20s, concerts and other events often start in the evening and take place under lights once the sun goes down. Shade is more abundant, but it’s still important to know where to find it. The sun is now directly in the eyes of many spectators before it dips entirely behind the stadium.
At this hour, shade is concentrated on the west side. The Ponsford Stand and MCC Members’ Reserve are shaded on all levels. Bays 19-28 in the Shane Warne Stand are shaded as well. As the sun continues to set, the sunniest seats are those nearest the east-side video board: Bays 1-8 in the Shane Warne Stand and Bays 50-57 in the Olympic Stand stay sunny the longest.
Ready to get your MCG tickets?
Use the individual game links or click or tap here to see an upcoming list of events at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Upcoming MCG Events
Where to Buy Tickets
Ticketek is the official ticketing agency for most events at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. However, some major concerts and special events at the MCG are instead sold via Ticketmaster under promoter-specific deals, so the safest option is to consult the official MCG or event promoter website.
Stay Safe in the Aussie Sun
