FAQs

Field of Women is Breast Cancer Network Australia’s (BCNA’s) signature event that aims to bring the statistics of breast cancer to life in a meaningful and visually powerful way that highlights the personal impact of breast cancer on our community.

Previously held in Melbourne in 2018, 2014, 2010 and 2005, and in Sydney in 2007, the event features over 10,000 people standing together to represent the over 20,640 people who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023. 

The Field of Women event will be hosted at the MCG prior to the Round 23, Melbourne v Hawthorn, AFL match on Sunday 20 August 2023.  

MCG gates open for the Field of Women at midday and the event will take place at 12.45pm on the ground and will be followed by the Pink Lady AFL match at 3.20pm.

Everyone is invited to participate – men, women and children. We encourage you to bring along partners, friends, supporters and survivors. 

You do not need to have breast cancer to participate.  We are standing in support of all Australians affected by breast cancer.

Field of Women will see over 10,000 people standing together on the MCG prior to the AFL Pink Lady Match to form BCNA’s Pink Lady to show collective support and raise awareness of the impact of breast cancer.

The main ceremony of the event will profile BCNA through a live and virtual event experience that showcases the strength, courage and emotional journey of breast cancer and the impact it has on the community. 

There will also be various activities on event day, including a family festival in Yarra Park featuring a mini tribute Field of Women.  

An estimated 20,640 Australians will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023. Field of Women is a chance to support all Australians that have been affected by breast cancer.  

A breast cancer diagnosis affects family, friends and can have a ripple effect through communities.  Standing together in solidarity on the hallowed turf of the MCG is a powerful message to these Australians that they are not alone on this journey.

Yes, not only are men diagnosed with breast cancer but they are also an incredible source of support for women with breast cancer.  It is estimated 212 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 and there are many friends and family members, including husbands, brothers and sons’ part of imperative support networks.

We will have blue ponchos available to wear on the field to represent the number of Australian men who will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. All event gift packs will automatically include a pink poncho. At previous events many men chose to wear a pink poncho, so they could stand beside their wife, sister, mother or friend. 

If you would like to pick up a blue poncho for Field of Women please visit the merchandise tent near the Tribute Field opposite Gate 3.

Yes, Field of Women 2023 is a family friendly event.  

In line with the AFL ticketing policy, children are aged 4 – 15 years of age. Those 16 years and above will be charged as an adult. Children under 4 years of age will be complimentary.

There will be family activities running outside the MCG in Yarra Park on event day. Arrive early and join in all of the festivities on the day.Please be aware that over 10,000 people standing on the MCG is a lot and small children may find the crowd a little overwhelming when on the field for the ceremony.

Adult Tickets are $69 including GST. The cost of the ticket includes: 

• access to the MCG and participation in standing on the field to help form BCNA's Pink Lady
• Field of Women ceremony and entertainment
• a Field of Women tote bag
• a Field of Women pink poncho
• a Field of Women commemorative keyring
• an exclusive offers booklet and product gifts from our event partners
• general admission (GA) seat ticket to the AFL Pink Lady match – Melbourne v Hawthorn.

Tickets for children aged 4 – 15 years of age will be classified as a 'junior' with entry at $15 per person.

 Children under 4 years of age will be admitted for free, however still require this ticket to scan entry.

A child’s ticket will also include a Field of Women pink poncho.

Once the event tickets are available to be booked directly via Ticketek, if you have any special needs with mobility, please select the 'special needs access' ticket option to ensure we can assist you. 

On event day - special needs guides will be wearing yellow vests.

Designated disabled parking is via the Yarra Park Entry Gate 3 via Wellington Parade South or Gate 7 via Brunton Avenue.

Wheelchairs are allowed on to the grounds.

We can make arrangements with VicDeaf for an interpreter during the event. 

When booking via the pre-sale early bird ticketing period or should you require this or any other assistance, please contact BCNA via email fieldofwomen@bcna.org.au to advise of your request to ensure this is provided.

Tickets are available directly from the match day ticket provider here - Ticketek.  Tickets will go OFF sale at midday on Sunday 20 August.

You will be required to scan into the MCG with this ticket (or your eligible club membership) and you will need to present your Field of Women ticket (proof of purchase) to collect your gift pack and wearing your pink (or blue) poncho is what enables you to then stand on the field.

Tickets will be issued online via email as 'ezytickets' directly from Ticketek. A maximum of 10 tickets may be booked in each transaction.

'After the Field' hospitality upgrade is available to book via the BCNA ticketing page on this site and includes a Field of Women ticket and sit down hospitality (2 course meal, guest speakers and an upgraded reserved seat for the Pink Lady Match). Bookings close on Thursday 17 August. No refunds can be issued after this date and catering numbers are confirmed.

For corporate packages and group ticketing options for groups larger than 10 people, please email – fieldofwomen@bcna.org.au

Your ticket to the Field of Women includes entry to the MCG and a general admission (GA) seat to stay  and watch the game. (Pink Lady Match : Melbourne V Hawthorn)

Club and MCC members will be offered the opportunity to upgrade their member entry ticket to include the 'Field of Women' .  Communications to members will also come directly from these clubs to help navigate this upgrade. These Field of Women only upgrades are available via Ticketek HERE  

Your ticket will be emailed to via Ticketek once official match tickets are on sale and released. If you do not have internet access then ask a friend or family member to assist you. Enquiries: fieldofwomen@bcna.org.au 

In line with Australian Taxation Laws, your ticket fee is not a tax deduction. There is a donation option when booking your ticket. Donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Please refer to Ticketek’s policy on this.

Function tickets (BCNA hospitality tickets are transferrable) but not refundable after Thursday 17 August and catering numbers are confirmed.

Field of Women merchandise is available for pre-order when you purchase your Field of Women ticket. These may sell out prior to event day and we highly recommend you order at time of ticket purchase.

If you have pre- ordered or purchased merchandise with your Ticketek booking, it will be available for collection on event day at the MCG at the BCNA tent next to the Tribute Field opposite Gate 3.

 BCNA merchandise  may be ordered directly from the BCNA online store or at the event on Sunday 20 August.

You can scan in at any Field of Women open gate on the day. (Gate 1, 5, 6 or 7).

Gate numbers have been allocated to assist with the even dispersion of crowd numbers accessing the ground. 

You will be able to collect your event pack from outside Gate 1 or between Gates 5-6 at the ground of the MCG. Packs are available for collection between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

The Family Festival will open from 10.30am on match day with MCG gate entry opening at 12pm and access to the Field from 12.45pm.  All participants in Field of Women must be in side the venue and seated no later than 12.45pm .  

Late arrivals will not be granted access to the field. Please ensure you allow plenty of time to arrive and access the venue.

Please email fieldofwomen@bcna.org.au if you would like to request a blue poncho or visit a BCNA merchandise tent on event day.

Unfortunately, you cannot purchase a poncho without attending. *A limited number of poncho's may be available after the Field of Women is complete .

Participants will only be allowed on to the ground if they have flat shoes (no high heels). Make sure you wear comfortable shoes.  Please note patrons wearing high heels will not be allowed to access the MCG field.

We also encourage you to wear some pink! The pink poncho will create the solid sea of pink for our Field of Women Pink Lady formation, however we encourage you to dress up, have fun and get in the “pink spirit” of the day.

BCNA has secured accommodation offers to support your attendance at Field of Women 2023.  The Accor Hotels special offer provides discount exclusively for Field of Women weekend HERE

Public transport is the best way to get to the MCG.

There are two train stations close to the MCG. Jolimont is north of the ground and offers a five-minute stroll through Yarra Park to the ground. From any railway station in the central business district, take the Hurstbridge or Epping lines.

The other station is Richmond on the south-eastern side of the MCG. It's a slightly longer walk to the ground but you can walk past the Punt Road Oval to the Great Southern Stand side which is best for Gate 5 and 6 entry.

To get to Richmond station from the city, take any train on the Lilydale, Belgrave, Alamein, Glen Waverley, Dandenong, Pakenham,Cranbourne, Frankston or Sandringham lines.

Three tram routes provide access to the MCG. 

No. 75 (City-Vermont South) travels along Flinders St and connects with the eastern suburbs via Wellington Parade.

No. 48 (Docklands/City-North Balwyn) travels along Collins St and connects with the eastern suburbs via Wellington Parade. Both these routes stop just outside the MCG.

No. 70 (Docklands/City-Wattle Park) travels along Flinders St then detours via Melbourne Park and the tram stop is a short walk across the footbridge to the ground. 

Taxis are available from the ground at the conclusion of each event or alternatively from the Pullman Hotel directly opposite the MCG near Jolimont station.

Otherwise the venue is a pleasant 15 minute walk from the city.

Please come anyway! In extreme circumstances we may not be able to access the ground but we will still go ahead with a version of the event and contingency plans will be in place.  A poncho is also included in your event day gift pack.

As part of the terms and conditions of ticket purchases, we are unable to provide a refund.

Yes – you are welcome to volunteer to help at this event.  Please be aware that many of the volunteer roles occur outside the ground and will not be able to see or participate in Field of Women.

To register on our list of volunteers please email fieldofwomen@bcna.org.au

We understand that many of you would love to be involved but can’t be there with us for the event. 

Those who are unable to stand with us at the G, will be able to help fill the Virtual Pink Lady by purchasing a virtual place and leaving a message of support for those affected by breast cancer. You can purchase your virtual place  HERE

You can watch the event on TV (through Channel 7 and Fox Footy) and follow our updates on Breast Cancer Network Australia’s Facebook page or our @BCNAPinkLady Instagram page and Twitter feeds. A BCNA Facebook LiveStream will take place between 12.45pm and 1.25pm on event day.

If you would like to make a donation to Breast Cancer Network Australia in support of the event fundraising please go to the Virtual Pink Lady to make a donation HERE  

100% of proceeds from Field of Women tickets and Virtual Pink Lady donations go towards supporting Breast Cancer Network Australia’s important work. 

BCNA provides a wide and growing range of services to newly diagnosed Australians, survivors of breast cancer and Australians living with metastatic breast cancer. 

All of BCNA’s resources and support services are provided free of charge including:

• a telephone helpline
• a range of high quality print and digital resources
• an online community
• information forums around Australia
• post-surgery bras (with the assistance of Berlei)
• bilingual resources in six languages
• accessible resources for people with a disability or low English literacy
• and much more including volunteer led projects and representation.

To learn more about us and what we do, visit www.bcna.org.au

The Field of Women would not be possible without the support of the Melbourne Football Club, Melbourne Cricket Club, MCG and our Major Event Partners, Bakers Delight and Red Energy.