In 2006, the award was presented to the Melbourne Cricket Ground for its redevelopment and transformation to stage the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and its status as an iconic rallying point for Australian sport.

With the demolition of the old MCC Members, Ponsford and Olympic stands starting just after the 2002 AFL grand final (September), the development was completed in time for the Commonwealth Games in March 2006 with a new sweeping grandstand covering the northern side of the ground, providing state of the art facilities for the public and MCC Members.

Combining the stadium redevelopment with the ground reformation to host the opening and closing ceremonies and the athletics events at the Commonwealth Games, it truly was a remarkable transformation, ensuring the MCG is, and remains, one of the great stadiums in the world.