Anticipation for next year’s 150th Anniversary Test is building with Australian and England fans set to descend on Melbourne in record numbers for the one-off match in March 2027.
Given the high expected demand, the ticketing process being used by Cricket Australia is very different to typical Test matches at the MCG, with an online public ballot being used to allocate seating to Victorian residents and interstate/overseas fans.
How does the ticket ballot work?
The public ticket ballot is currently open where fans can register their interest in purchasing tickets for the historic Test, including preferred days and two main choices of seating categories: (1) Best Available, or (2) D-F Reserved.
Registrations for the public ballot close on Friday, 6 February 2026.
Once the ballot closes, a randomised system will be then used to assign tickets and processes payments for successful fans with notifications of the outcome of the ballot announced by Friday, 13 February.
Each household can apply for up to eight tickets per day of the Test.
The random ticket allocation will be evenly split between Victorian and non-Victorian residents with both receiving 50 percent of the available tickets in each ballot.
How much do tickets cost?
The most expensive individual tickets in the public ballot are Day 1 A Reserve seats at $340. Day 1 standing tickets are $50.
Reserve tickets for Days 2-4 are slightly cheaper while standing ticket prices remains the same.
Tickets for Day 5, if required, are not included as part of the public ballot.
Regardless of the seating category or day chosen, an additional $5 payment is required for each ticket request as part of the ballot registration process. This will be refunded if your application is unsuccessful.
Day 1 | A Reserve | B Reserve | C Reserve | D Reserve | E Reserve | F Reserve | Standing |
ADULT | $ 340 | $ 280 | $ 220 | $ 170 | $ 110 | $ 60 | $ 50 |
CONCESSION |
| $ 224 | $ 176 | $ 136 | $ 88 | $ 48 | $ 40 |
CHILD |
| $ 140 | $ 110 | $ 85 | $ 55 | $ 30 | $25 |
FAMILY |
| $ 630 | $ 495 | $ 383 | $ 248 | $ 135 | $113 |
Days 2-4 | A Reserve | B Reserve | C Reserve | D Reserve | E Reserve | F Reserve | Standing |
ADULT | $ 290 | $240 | $180 | $ 130 | $ 90 | $ 50 | $ 50 |
CONCESSION |
| $ 192 | $ 144 | $ 104 | $ 72 | $ 40 | $ 40 |
CHILD |
| $ 120 | $ 90 | $ 65 | $ 45 | $ 25 | $ 25 |
FAMILY |
| $ 540 | $405 | $ 293 | $ 203 | $ 113 | $ 113 |
Source: Ticketek FAQ
How will tickets be allocated?
The ballot process will be randomised to give all applicants a fair chance of receiving tickets with seats allocated on a ‘next best available’ basis.
According to Ticketek, for the best chance of success applicants should select the highest price ticket category they are willing to pay if they are successful in the ballot.
By choosing ‘Accept best available ticket’ the system will assign you the best ticket(s) still available in the ballot. For example, if A Reserve tickets are no longer available, B Reserve tickets will be allocated, followed by C Reserve tickets if necessary, and so on.
If you choose ‘Accept D-F Reserve’ and all seats in these categories have already been allocated, your application will unsuccessful.
How can MCC members get tickets?
Melbourne Cricket club members will have access entitlements to the Members’ Reserve for the 150th Anniversary Test Match as part of their membership.