Tens of thousands of Swifties will flock to Melbourne this week for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
To account for the influx, the Victorian government has announced it will add hundreds of train services and extend the free tram zone to the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
With an estimated capacity of 86,000 people at the MCG, tens of thousands of fans will move around the city during the three days of concerts: from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 February.
Authorities urge people to use public transport, as the MCG stadium is a short distance from Richmond, Jolimont and Flinders Street stations.
Concert organizers have worked with the Department of Transport and Planning to secure additional capacity on many of the services, including regional lines.
Tens of thousands of Swifties will flock to Melbourne this week for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and the Victorian government has announced it will add hundreds of train services and extend the free tram zone to the Melbourne Cricket Ground. (Pictured: Taylor Swift, Tokyo, February 2024)
Active and Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said the Eras Tour would have the same impact as “three AFL grand finals in a row” and the government urged attendees to plan ahead.
“We’ve added hundreds of additional free train and tram services across the three days so Swifties can get to the shows as easily and safely as possible,” he said.
The MCG is already locked in preparation, including preparing the stage Swift will use during the concert.
MCG chief executive Stuart Fox described the organizing process as “simply enormous”.
With an estimated capacity of 86,000 people at the MCG, tens of thousands of fans will move around the city during the three days of concerts: from Friday, February 16 to Sunday, February 18.
Concert organizers have worked with the Department of Transport and Planning to secure additional capacity on many of the services, including regional lines. (Pictured: Melbourne Cricket Ground)
“When building the seating plan, obviously we have people on the lawn, but it’s really all about the stage production: 70 trucks coming to your lot is quite challenging, and you have six days of setup, three concerts throughout the Friday”. “Saturday, Sunday afternoon, two or three days of luggage,” he said.
There will be disruptions to services on the Frankston and Belgrave train lines, with replacement buses on affected sections.
Stations that will be closed include Narre Warren, Keon Park, Croydon and Parkdale.
Meanwhile, eager Swifties have already started queuing at the MCG to get their hands on official Taylor Swift merchandise, days before the star’s first show on Friday. (Pictured: a Swiftie holding an official tour sign)
Earlier this week, Frontier Touring reopened ticket sales on Tuesday with “limited” numbers available for the pop superstar’s shows in Melbourne and Sydney, but warned fans will have a “restricted” view of the stage.
To plan accurately and check for interruptions overnight, use the PTV app or check for interruptions on ptv.vic.gov.au/taylorswift or 1800 800 007.
In the run-up to the event, police are also warning of scammers who will try to steal people’s money by selling them fake concert tickets.
“Scammers target fans with fake ticket sales through social media, often hacking into people’s accounts and then using the profiles to sell fake tickets to the victim’s friends,” said the Cybercrime Team. Victoria Police.
“Check once, then check twice, they may try to rush you into buying tickets and transferring money to them.”
Meanwhile, eager Swifties have already started queuing at the MCG to get their hands on official Taylor Swift merchandise, hoping to avoid the long queues at Taylor’s first concert on Friday.
Earlier this week, Frontier Touring reopened ticket sales on Tuesday with “limited” numbers available for the pop superstar’s shows in Melbourne and Sydney, but warned fans will have a “restricted” view of the stage.
Items such as t-shirts, hoodies, bags and posters are for sale in the official merchandise tent.