What is Boxing Day Test match? Know in detail

The Boxing Day Test is only a day away. This time at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australia will host England for the 4th of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 season on this very iconic day. Not only cricket fans but also fans of other sports are aware of the Boxing Day Test, a celebrated holiday that is on the 26th of December every year. 

Cricket connected with this day back in 1950, when Australia played a Test match against their archrival England at the iconic MCG. Back in old-school England, rich families used to give their servants Christmas presents in boxes. Somewhere along the way, cricket got added to the mix in the 1950 Ashes in Melbourne. 

The historic 1950 Australia vs. England Boxing Day Test took advantage of the public holiday, drawing large crowds and creating a festive atmosphere. Its success led to the tradition becoming a regular feature of Australia’s international cricket calendar. Over the decades, the Boxing Day Test has hosted many famous teams and legendary performances, earning a reputation as one of the most prestigious and eagerly anticipated Test matches in world cricket.

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What is Box Day Test?

On December 26, multiple countries across the globe marked it as a holiday. For which, people love to gather in large numbers to watch their favorite game live from the ground. Along with cricket, on this particular day, other sports events also can be arranged because of a possible large attendance. For sports lovers, especially for the cricket lovers, this day is no less than a moment of carnival. 

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Australia and SuperSport Park in Centurion, South Africa, are well-known venues for Boxing Day Tests. The MCG has been hosting Boxing Day Tests since 1950. It is one of the most iconic and largest cricket stadiums globally, with a capacity of over 100,000 spectators.