Shaded Seats at the Sydney Cricket Ground
Sydney Cricket Ground is Sydney’s premier cricket and AFL venue. Located in Moore Park, it’s known for its heritage Members and Ladies Stands and close-to-the-action feel. Sydney’s summers are hot and sunny, and the low sun reaches under roof lines during day games. Fans can use this guide along with the stadium seating map to find the best shaded seats at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Where Are the Seats in the Shade and Sun at Sydney Cricket Ground?
As a general rule, the seats in the shade at SCG 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 SCG 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.
Sydney Cricket Ground Orientation to the Sun
The pitch at SCG 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
For most events at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Ticketmaster is the official ticketing partner. However, Cricket Australia’s matches at the SCG (including the Ashes) are sold through Ticketek, which is the authorised seller for those events.
Navigating the Sydney Cricket Ground Seating Map
The SCG is one of Australia’s largest stadiums. The SCG is made up of distinct stands rather than one continuous bowl. Going counter-clockwise from the Noble/Bradman/Messenger Stands, the stands are:
- M.A. Noble / Don Bradman / Dally Messenger Stands (north side)
- Members’ Pavilion (northwest side)
- Ladies Pavilion (northwest side)
- Brewongle Stand (southwest side)
- Clive Churchill Stand (southwest side)
- Victor Trumper Stand (southeast side)
- Bill O’Reilly Stand (east side)
Bays in each stand are numbered (e.g., Bays 1-11 in Brewongle, 30-38 in Bill O’Reilly), though exact ranges can vary by event map. Different events (BBL, internationals, AFL) use slightly different colour-coding and category names and not every event uses every stand, but the physical bay numbers stay put.
Rows usually start with A closest to the field, then B, C, etc., running back up the stand. After Z, rows continue as AA, BB, CC, and so on. A simple rule: the lower the letter, the closer you are to the field.
SCG Shade During Morning Sessions (approximately 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
First ball at a Test at the SCG is usually 10.30 am. At this hour, shade seekers should focus on the east and north sides. The Bill O’Reilly Stand is comfortably shaded during this session. The Noble/Bradman/Messenger Stands also provide morning shade, particularly Bays 401-404 and 443-448, which sit nicely under the large roof.
SCG Shade During Afternoon Sessions (approximately 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
By lunch, the sun is near its highest point; when the afternoon session begins, it’s almost directly overhead. The large roof over the Noble/Bradman/Messenger Stands provides shade for those seated below. The 400-level (upper deck) and 200-level (middle deck) are safe bets for shade. Some 100-level (field level) rows, especially those closest to the fence, can also be shaded for parts of the session. Be careful with Bays 4, 5 and 5A near the video screen: they are not under the roof and are exposed to the elements.
After the lunch break, fans can find shade in the middle and upper levels of the Noble/Bradman/Messenger Stands as well as the Members’ and Ladies’ Pavilions.
Stephen Dwyer / Alamy Stock Photo
SCG Shade During Evening Sessions (approximately 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM)
After tea, shade concentrates on the west side. The Members’ Pavilion, Ladies’ Pavilion, and Brewongle Stand are now your best options. The Members’ and Ladies’ Pavilions are fully covered in single-digit bays and stay shady for most of the day. By the evening session, even the uncovered rows closer to the field in these areas are shaded. In Brewongle, shadows move back to front: the farther you sit from the field, the earlier your row is shaded.
SCG Shade During Events Starting After 6:00 PM
T20s, concerts and other events often start in the evening under lights. At this hour, shade is concentrated on the west side: the Members’ Pavilion, Ladies’ Pavilion, and Brewongle Stand are shaded on all levels. The Victor Trumper Stand is also a good option, and higher-numbered bays tend to be shaded earlier than lower-numbered bays (e.g., Bay 18 before Bay 11).
As the sun continues to set, the sunniest seats are in the Bill O’Reilly Stand. The sun points directly at these seats, and even some rows under cover can be bright right before sunset. The Noble/Bradman/Messenger Stands can also be sunny at this hour, especially at field level and on the 200-level. Only the very top of the 400-level stays shaded under the big roof.
Around 7:00 PM most seats are shaded but the sun is pointed directly at the Bill O’Reilly Stand and portions of the Noble/Bradman/Messenger Stands.
Ready to get your SCG tickets?
Use the individual game links or click or tap here to see an upcoming list of games at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Upcoming SCG Events
Where to Buy Tickets
For most events at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Ticketmaster is the official ticketing partner. However, Cricket Australia’s matches at the SCG (including the Ashes) are sold through Ticketek, which is the authorised seller for those events.
Stay Safe in the Aussie Sun
