Footy food prices go up

Inflation, increased costs to blame: MCC chief

FOOTY food prices are set to rise at the MCG for the first time in four years.

The cost of hot chips, pies, soft drinks, water, beer, hotdogs and chicken burgers will rise in a move the MCC has blamed on rising costs.

Hot chips, a Four N Twenty pie and hot dogs will all go from $4.50 last season to $5.50.

A schooner of beer will rise from $9.50 to $10.50, a bottle of 600m soft drink is to increase from $4.70 to $5.50 and a bottle of water will cost 60 cents more than last year.

MCC chief executive Stuart Fox said it would be “the first increase to fan favourite items at the MCG – hot chips, pies, soft drinks and water – since the 2019 AFL premiership season’’. “We haven’t been immune to inflation, supply chain issues or the steadily rising cost of labour in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, making it necessary for us to adjust prices for some food and beverage items,’’ he said.

Some of the prices increased in October, for the cricket season, but Fox confirmed they would remain in place as the masses returned to the MCG for the AFL season this month.

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

In a win for fans, a branch of popular Melbourne restaurant Lucy Liu will open at the ‘G’.

The Lucy Liu Lounge will be between the Members and Ponsford stands in time for the start of the AFL season on March 16, as a match day dining option. It is part of a push to feature some of Victoria’s best eateries at the MCG, with Guy Grossi, SPQR Pizza, Gami Chicken and Royal Stacks slinging food alongside more traditional footy fare.

Lucy Liu executive chef and co-owner Zac Cribbes said the South East Asian street food inspired lounge would bring “a brand new style of stadium dining’’.

“We want to bring the laneway Melbourne experience to the MCG, where you can enjoy the best that Melbourne has to offer in terms of shared-style pan-Asian dining within a traditionally Western food environment,” he said.

“Not a challenge to the previous culture, I see it being an exciting addition to the experience of sports and entertainment viewing, by creating a world-class dining experience inside a stadium.’’

The AFL will, however, freeze the prices of popular items such as pies, hot chips, hot dogs and soft drink at Marvel Stadium.

The cost of a 425ml cup of Carlton Draught will rise by $1 to $10.50 and 600ml bottles of water will increase from $3.40 to $4 at the AFL-owned venue.

It means the cost of a Carlton Draught, water and soft drink will be the same at the MCG and Marvel Stadium.

Hot dogs will be cheaper at the MCG but most food will be cheaper at Marvel Stadium.