Magazine: MCG Snubbed on Survey of World's Best Stadiums
By Editor in General News on 3rd Jun 2010 6:00
The MCG has been left lingering on a list of the world's best sports venues - snubbed in favour of little-known stadiums in Taiwan and South Africa.
In a move that's sure to fire up debate among global sports fans, the 'G was ranked just 15th in the international survey. Melbourne's home of footy and cricket - which was recently billed as key to Australia's hopes of hosting a FIFA World Cup - was outclassed by venues including Veltins Arena, Germany, and Meydan Racecourse, Dubai.
Critics were scathing of the polling results, saying the MCG should be rated higher. The UK study did, however, rank Melbourne's venue ahead of New York's Yankee Stadium and the traditional home of cricket, Lord's in London. Sydney's ANZ stadium, which was ranked 24th, was the only other Australian venue to make the list.
Victorian Sports Minister James Merlino said the survey showed the MCG was among the world's best."Melbourne packs more punch when it comes to hosting major sports events and the city has once again outranked Sydney as the best in Australia," Mr Merlino said.
The Top 20
1. World Games Stadium, Koahsiung, Taiwan
2. Meydan Racecourse, Dubai
3. Cowboys Stadium, Dallas
4. Wembley Stadium, London
5. Soccer City, Johannesburg
6. Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, Japan
7. All England Club, Wimbledon
8. Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi
9. Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
10. The Bird's Nest, Beijing
11. Dubai Sports City, Dubai
12. Flushing Meadows, New York
13. Camp Nou, Barcelona
14. Madison Square Garden, New York
15. MCG, Melbourne
16. Yankee Stadium, New York
17. Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta
18. Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis
19. Lord's Cricket Ground, London
20 Fenway Park, Boston
Source & More: www.news.com.au
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