British & Irish Lions rugby test match at MCG delivers busiest Melbourne hotel night on record

An estimated 40,000 British & Irish Lions rugby fans visited Melbourne to watch the two games against Australia's National Rugby Union Team, the Wallabies with more than 90,000 fans turning out at the MCG on 26th July.

Melbourne was the only city in which the Lions played two consecutive games during the tour – ensuring local businesses were able to benefit from extended stays, increased foot traffic and global exposure.

A record 25,089 hotel rooms were booked in the CBD on Saturday, 26th July – with an occupancy rate of 94.7% – as fans flooded the city to watch the British & Irish Lions play the Wallabies at the MCG.

The Rugby event was among a blockbuster winter of major events for Melbourne which delivered the busiest ever June for Melbourne hotels – with 870,755 room nights booked across Greater Melbourne.

The huge calendar of events on offer across Victoria in July included Lego Star Wars, Melbourne Winter Masterpieces: French Impressionism and the Frida Kahlo: In her own image exhibition.

So far in 2025, both the Melbourne CBD and Greater Melbourne areas have had their busiest-ever January, March, April, May and June – with July also expected to set a new record.

It follows a strong run for major events bringing visitors to the city – with the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Australian Open delivering peak occupancy rates of 93% or more.

A number of new hotels have opened across the city in the past 12 months, including 1 Hotel, Melbourne Place and Lanson Place Parliament Gardens – bringing the total number of hotel rooms available across Victoria to 65,493.

Victoria’s $40 billion visitor economy supports more than 288,000 jobs and, in the year ending March 2025, international travellers spent a record $9.3 billion across the state.

Vic Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos noted “we are backing major events because record crowds boost our visitor economy – supporting local businesses and creating jobs.

“Our massive pipeline of major events attracts visitors both domestically and internationally, and they then stay on to experience our world-class experiences, landscapes, wildlife and hospitality scene.”

Accommodation Australia (Victoria) General Manager Dougal Hollis added “many British & Irish Lions fans decided to extend their stay, hire a car, and get out to explore the stunning breadth and diversity of Victoria’s hospitality and tourism offer.”

Image top: British & Irish Lions play the Wallabies at the MCG. Credit: MCG; Image below: Frida Kahlo: In her own image exhibition at Bendigo Art Gallery.Credit: Bendigo Art Gallery