European giants establish record MCG football record

In a landmark year of record crowds at the MCG, last night's International Champions Cup football fixture between Real Madrid of Spain and Manchester City of England attracted a crowd of over 99,000 - the largest of the year.

The massive crowd on Friday 24th July brought more people to the ground than the ICC Cricket World Cup Final, rugby league's State of Origin and the Anzac Day AFL match.

While the crowd total is likely to be overtaken by the AFL grand final on 3rd October, the number presents a further example of the popularity of major international football fixtures in Australia.

The crowd size following a sell-out crowd of just over 53,000 people who watched Liverpook FC play at the Adelaide Oval last week and significant crowds for games involving Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in Sydney in late May and early June.

The large MCG turnout wasn't lost on the participants, with Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez said he was proud of his team for performing well given the big stage.

Benitez stated "I am very satisfied with the number of people that showed up today and it was a great match for them to see.

"So many people, great players, and it's been a fantastic show."

The crowd was a record for a football-only event at the MCG, overtaking the 95,446 in attendance for Melbourne Victory's match with Liverpool two years ago.

It was also the biggest crowd that Manchester City has played in front of since the 1981 FA Cup Final, held at London's Wembley Stadium which at that time had a capacity of 100,000.

With increasing competition between Australia's rival football codes, the crowd figures will have been noted by the AFL, which has reportedly been unhappy over having lost access to the MCG during the International Champions Cup.

Going back to last year, AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan expressed his displeasure to Melbourne Cricket Club Chief Executive Stephen Gough over losing access to the stadium on 18th and 24th July.

The MCG infuriated its biggest client, which has already been forced to restructure the 2015 season due to World Cup Cricket, with its hosting of the Cup.

The dispute has also involved the Victorian Government - which is financially backing the International Champions Cup games along with significant private funding - and the Victorian Major Events Company.

MAJOR MCG CROWDS IN 2015

99,382 - Real Madrid v Manchester City, International Champions Cup
93,013 - Australia v New Zealand, Cricket World Cup Final
91,513 - New South Wales v Queensland, NRL State of Origin
88,395 - Collingwood v Essendon, AFL Anzac Day match

23rd July 2015 - REAL MADRID SCORES EDUCATION DEAL WITH FLEDGLING TORRENS UNIVERSITY

18th June 2015 - MCG SETS STATE OF ORIGIN CROWD RECORD

4th June 2015 - EUROPEAN FOOTBALL GIANTS ATTRACT MASSIVE CROWDS

31st March 2015 - MASSIVE CROWD NUMBERS FOR CRICKET WORLD CUP