MCG accused of running out of beer for massive AFL crowd

The MCG became the venue with no beer on the weekend after huge crowds flocked to the first round of the AFL season.

No beer may have been good for some patrons’ hip pockets given the exorbitant price of food and beverage at sporting venues at the moment, however some Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) members weren’t too happy.

The MCC, which manages the MCG, has come under fire for its lack of preparation or foresight.

Footy fan Russ called into Neil Mitchell’s radio show on 3AW to complain: “Delaware (North, the hospitality partner of the MCC as of 2022) have just got to go”. 

“That organisation at the MCG last night was just dreadful,” he said. 

“Dreadful, dreadful, dreadful.

“Members area, level 1, beer stall ran out of beer, cold beer, just after half time.

“We were left drinking the fruit-infused beer!

“We were drinking (fruit-infused) craft beer because they ran out of standard, normal beer in level one in the members.

“In the Stumps bar (the STUMPS Tavern, a premium bar bordering the Olympic Stand), they would’ve had 200 people waiting but they had only four or five staff on.”

Another patron said, “It took a whole quarter to line up for a drink. 

“Only two staff on any bar at any one time.” 

Delaware North manages London’s Wembley Stadium, and MetLife Stadium in New York. It has also been responsible for hospitality at the Australian Open since 1988, so should know a thing or two about catering.

And the company should be ready for fan backlash given the costs of food and drink prices at the MCG.

A schooner of beer will set a punter back $10.50, while a traditional pie now costs $5.50.

MCC chief executive Stuart Fox blamed the high prices on inflation, supply chain issues and labour costs.

“We continue to strive to maintain price points that are manageable for all fans, and in particular families, coming to the footy,” he said. 

Delaware North defended itself.

“At last night’s exciting AFL season opener, which was attended by nearly 90,000 fans, at no point did any of the 48 fully stocked and fully staffed retail or pop-up bars run out of any product, including beer.

“Naturally, the process of restocking products at some outlets can occasionally cause slight, temporary delays in service, which is normal in a stadia environment.”

A former Delaware North employee said it was likely there was not enough staff to meet the need.

Jonathan Jackson - 21-3-23