Hundreds Gather at The MCG to Raise Money for Youth Homelessness

Thousands of young Australians experience homelessness every day with no support, according to a Kids Under Cover report, but Melbourne City Mission wants to change this. 

The MCM aims to support the 8,000 15 to 24-year-olds who do not have a permanent home. 

The MCG lit up with sleep at the G slogans as the event began. (Credit: Emma Giles)

MCM CEO Paul Wappett emphasised that this issue is a very real, current problem for many Australians.

“We want to make something visible that is often hidden, and that is the scourge that is youth homelessness,” Wappett said. 

The current cost of living crisis, coupled with issues such as family violence and mental wellbeing, has caused a spike in homelessness. 

MCM reports that only 3 in 20 young people who access their services can find housing. 

For the last 13 years, MCM have hosted Sleep at the G, a night which brings together Victorians to raise money for youth homelessness, while participants sleep rough at the stadium overnight. 

The night is a moment of connection to bring together a community of supporters, with music, magic and a silent disco

The event this year included performances from BABBA, Australia’s popular ABBA tribute act, and opened with a poem by the Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece called Ode to Melbourne. 

Babba performing on the MCG grounds at Sleep at the 'G. (Credit: Emma Giles)

MC Briohny Dawson is proud that, after over a decade, the event still brings hundreds of people to support the cause. 

“I really do take a moment to have a look around and consider how lucky I am to be involved and invited here to this”, Dawson said.

2026 was their second year hosting the event, and they are drawn to the passion and joy which participants bring to support young people. 

“There are people who have lived experience or know people who have slept rough and all that kind of stuff and so everyone in the crowd is really passionate”, Dawson said. 

The purpose of an event like Sleep at the G is to build a supportive community, but it also helps to fund programs that aim to reduce homelessness. 

This year, they have raised over $700,000, which will help combat the rapidly rising numbers of young people who are sleeping rough. 

Empty seats at the MCG before the crowd arrived to sleep for the night. (Credit: Emma Giles)

Housing facilities are experiencing long waiting lists and are predominantly at capacity, where they are unable to cope with the rising number of young people needing support.

“For most people homelessness isn’t a short-term thing, it’s prolonged, it’s unpredictable and it’s deeply isolating”, Wappett said.

Sleep at the G gives people the chance to help fund MCM while gaining a greater understanding of the experiences of those homeless youth that suffer every night. 

“We know that just putting a roof over people’s heads, while really important, is not enough and there’s more work to be done.”