Eddie McGuire calls for two HUGE changes to the MCG – and one of them would make the ground completely unrecognizable

Outspoken footy identity Eddie McGuire has called for major changes to the Melbourne Cricket Ground – including a retractable roof that would give the famous stadium a completely new look when deployed.

The former Collingwood president also wants the Great Southern Stand – now called the Shane Warne Stand – to be rebuilt and a retractable pitch added to make hosting multiple events in a short space of time much easier.

McGuire spoke about his Eddie and Jimmy podcast with Geelong great Jimmy Bartel on Monday as he outlined his vision for the future of the ground.

The MCG (pictured during last Saturday’s Essendon vs Hawthorn AFL match) currently seats 100,000 spectators, but McGuire would like to accommodate an additional 20,000 spectators

The 59-year-old was inspired by a recent conversation he had with Casey Wasserman, Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games chairman and entertainment executive, who told him that the stadium’s future should revolve around it being a multi-use venue .

McGuire revealed that he once met Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots NFL team, and left him stunned when he told him that the MCG can hold 100,000 people.

He sees that enormous capacity as the land’s strongest selling point – and one that should be built on.

“It’s our big difference, the 100,000,” McGuire said.

‘We have to replace that Southern Stand. It must be up to 120,000 here at the MCG.

Australia’s most famous ground needs a retractable roof and removable pitch, says former Collingwood president

McGuire used Real Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium with its retractable canopy (pictured) as an example of what the G should aim for

“We have to look at the retractable roof, but also the retractable surface forward.

“We need to look at infrastructure to take us forward, not backward.”

McGuire said a retractable roof would not only protect against rain, but could also be a solution to putting athletes and performers in a situation where they have to perform during very hot days.

He cited Spanish football team Real Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium, Canada’s BC Place and Germany’s Frankfurt stadium – all of which have retractable roofs – as examples of what the MCG should aim for.

“NFL games now go to these places for these reasons,” he said.

It’s not the first time McGuire has called for a roof at the G, with the Victorian government beginning a feasibility study in 2022.

Last year, McGuire estimated the cost of adding the roof and rebuilding the Warne stand at $1.5 billion to $2 billion.

If McGuire’s recommendations come to fruition, he is confident the famous venue will be much better positioned to attract bigger events such as Taylor Swift’s recent tour (pictured)

That doesn’t include the option for a retractable pitch, which allows playing surfaces for AFL matches to be quickly moved after major events such as Taylor Swift’s recent concerts on the ground, leaving staff struggling to repair the turf in time for the football season. .

Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium uses retractable pitches, with Aussies allowed to check out the system when it was used to erect a new playing surface for the NRL double header in the city earlier this month.

Instead of taking days to bring the playing surface up to standard, a new playing field can be moved to the stadium in just 65 minutes.