Tournament will be launched with two spectacular events in Australia and New Zealand
Melbourne to host opening ceremony
Melbourne has been revealed as the host of a spectacular Australian opening ceremony for next year's ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
Two opening ceremonies for cricket's marquee event will be held on Thursday, February 12, with co-hosts New Zealand to stage their own opener on the same evening in Christchurch.
The Melbourne celebration at Sidney Myer Music Bowl will involve World Cup players and legends, cultural and music performances, a spectacular fireworks display and a yet-to-be-revealed “special moment”.
Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events John Eren said Melbourne would now be the scene of the opening event, the first match on Australian soil when Australia plays England on February 14, and the final at the MCG on March 29.
“We are delighted that Melburnians and visitors from all over the world will have a chance to attend this once-in-a-generation event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl,” Mr Eren said.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 chief executive John Harnden said the event would get the tournament off to a "great start”.
The opening ceremony will be free to attend and tickets will be available to the public on a first come, first served basis.
People interested in attending should visit the Cricket World Cup website from midday (AEST) on January 12 and follow the prompts.
Each applicant can request up to four tickets and further details of the ceremony will be revealed closer to the event.
Christchurch's opening event will feature some of New Zealand’s best known performers, cricket legends including Sir Richard Hadlee and Stephen Fleming, and a special segment to recognise the rebuilding of the city following the disastrous earthquakes.