Melbourne sets Lions attendance record at MCG thriller

A record-breaking crowd filled the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday as 90,307 fans watched the British and Irish Lions edge Australia 29-26 in a dramatic second Test.

The figure set a new benchmark for attendance at a Lions match, surpassing the previous record of 84,188 set during the 2001 series in Sydney.

The atmosphere inside the 100,000-seat MCG was electric as fans turned the venue into a sea of red and gold. The Lions, who won the opening Test 27-19 in Brisbane, were looking to clinch the series in Melbourne—a city where they had never before won a Test match.

What unfolded was one of the most memorable encounters in Lions history. Australia stormed to a 23-5 lead, dominating much of the early action. But the Lions mounted a spirited comeback, with a last-minute try sealing a stunning 29-26 victory and the series with a game to spare.

The result not only secured the series but also etched the match into the record books for its scale, drama, and significance. Melbourne’s MCG, better known for hosting cricket and Australian rules football, proved once again it could stage top-tier rugby with global appeal.

As the series now moves to Sydney, the Lions will look to complete a clean sweep, while the Wallabies will aim to salvage pride on home soil.