Anyone for Tennis? The Australian Open is held over three weeks from 12 January to 1 February. And if you have never been, you will be blown away by what’s on offer, and it’s not all about the tennis. Here you can watch the world’s best tennis players battle it out for a share of the $111 million AUD prize money. But there is so much more going on at Melbourne Park than the tennis. AO 2026 is the biggest and best it’s ever been.
The Happy Slam, as the players call it, welcomed over 1,218,831 fans in 2025. This year, we’ve already been all over Melbourne Park, during Opening Week, to suss out our favourite places on and off the courts, so that you can make the best use of your time.
Top Tips: Plan Ahead
I compare a ticket to the Australian Open to a trip to Disneyland; sure, you can head on in without much of a plan, and you will forever relish the atmosphere of Melbourne Park. However, it’s so big that without a plan, you will surely miss out. Here’s your guide to what to see, do, and love at this year’s event.
Won’t you wander with me, and I’ll show you around?
What to See, Do, and Love at the Australian Open Tennis 2026
The Australian Open is more than just a tennis tournament—it’s a celebration of sport, culture, and entertainment set against the city backdrop of Melbourne – no other Grand Slam is as well placed for transport and access. Whether you’re a lifelong tennis fan or a first-time attendee, the 2026 Australian Open promises excitement on and off the court.
Watch World-Class Tennis
Main Draw Matches: Watch the world’s best players compete for glory, from first-round clashes to the finals at Rod Laver Arena. You have a variety of courts to choose from
Choosing your Courtside view
The three courtside arenas (Rod Laver, Margaret Court and John Cain) with roofs offer guaranteed viewing, whatever the weather, and are ticketed. You can buy tickets via Ticketmaster. A Ground Pass gives access to all outdoor courts.
Top Tip! Check out the nine Practice Courts; the courts 18 -26 are tucked away behind John Cain Arena. Get up close to your favourite stars as they warm up for their matches.
Ticketed Courts
Rod Laver Arena – Retractable, covered roof, top seeds and top Australian Interest play here. Rod Laver Arena (RLA) favours the top-ranked players, but the draw can sometimes produce a one-sided match. RLA is all about TV coverage, so if there is a popular Aussie, they will get a match there or at the popular John Cain Arena!
Margaret Court Arena – Retractable, covered roof; we always like the more intimate Margaret Court Arena, especially in the first few days when we are cheering on the Brits (we’re here for you, Emma Raducano!)
John Cain Arena – Retractable, covered roof, known as the people’s arena, a livelier atmosphere; this is where Nick Kyrios loves to play amongst his peeps! Seats are available on the day for those with a ground pass and those who obtain an arena pass. I queued up at 4.45 to enter the night matches on John Cain for easy access with a wristband and great seats.
Ground Pass
For those on a ground pass, you have plenty of options – John Cain Arena allows for walks in, but get there early, otherwise either check out your favourite players or find a show court seat in Kia Arena, or 1573 Arena, and you will see plenty of great action on the outside courts too!
Kia Arena
I love this open-air arena; sit on the side nearest the train tracks for early-morning shade.
ANZ Arena
Another excellent arena where we have watched some of the toughest battles over the years! You can find shade at the top levels.
1573 Arena
You will find shade if you sit at the top of the grandstand.
Evening Groundpass
This is a good value option (from $19 later in the tournament) to purchase an evening groundpass, just be prepared for it to be really busy! It is such a popular after-work activity in Melbournians that you need a plan, unless you are just there to socialise!
The Western Courts are courts 5 – 15
Court 5: has shaded covered seating on one side only.
Court 6: Grandstand seating and covered viewing also from the adjacent Grey Goose Courtside Bar pavilion with Food by Nik Hill. I love this court; they seem to put on some great battles here, or maybe it’s the Grey Goose that makes for an especially great atmosphere.
Top Tip: Seating under the Grey Goose Bar is my pick for a great shaded spot in the morning or afternoon!
Court 7: Stadium has covered seating on both sides.
Court 8: Seating on one side only.
There is no Court 9
Courts 10 & 11: Seating is on one side only, with no covered seating.
Court 12 & 13: You can find seating on both sides with a covered grandstand on the city side for shade.
Court 14: Seating on both sides of the court. Covered seating is extensive on the far city side of the court.
Court 15 was found behind Court 14 at the far end of Rod Laver Arena, with stadium seating on one side of the court and one row of seats on the opposite side.
The Village Courts – do note that these courts are not with the rest of the courts
Courts 16 & 17 are found beside Kia Arena and are often used for practice matches.
Arriving at Melbourne Park
How you arrive at Melbourne Park determines your first pinch-me AO experience, and this probably depends on how you travel.
Arrive by Train at Richmond Station: Top Tip, there are two exits from Richmond Station. If you exit via Olympic Boulevard and not the main Richmond Exit, you will cut off the wait to cross the Punt Road traffic lights. Here you will enter through the Grand Slam Oval entrance and straight into the Grand Slam Oval (or John Cain Arena) area.
Arrive by No 70 Tram from the City or Wattle Park, and you enter by the Garden Square Entrance, Stop 7B or John Cain Arena, Stop 7C.
There is a final entrance at Birrarung Marr for those walking from Federation Square, Flinders Street, and Town Hall and wanting to enter close to TopCourt.
New this year is the introduction of a Special late night buses, which is a great relief, as everyone always would pile out in time to not miss the last trains home :
“If the play finishes after the last transport service departs, special late-night buses can get you home.
Special late-night buses are running along 13 popular routes, including metropolitan train lines and selected tram and V/Line routes.”
Explore Melbourne Park’s Fan Experiences
Grand Slam Oval: a fan favourite for pop-up bars and eateries, watch the action on a large screen. We have especially enjoyed the meals from Fishbowl, and if you can sit upstairs in the Marriott Bonvoy Lounge area for great views of the AO big screen and Grand Slam Oval area with a city backdrop
Garden Square: Enjoy live music, deckchairs (be aware that those deckchairs are so deep and comfy you may never get out of them watch the big screens, and find the iconic AO letters for photo ops.
TopCourt’s interactive fan experience is in the heart of Birrarung Marr, with its Entertainment Stage it will feature live music and DJs, a giant Table Tennis and Padel Court where fans can play, retail pop-ups and Game On.
Ballpark Presented by Emirates offers young and old plenty to keep everyone amused. Here is the giant water slide, Hot Shots HQ, both table and totem tennis and more!
Food and Drinks
Gourmet Dining: Melbourne’s top chefs and restaurants bring their best to the AO. From fine dining to food trucks, there’s something for everyone, including those gals who want a Peach Melbourne Melba soft serve Ice Cream for $8. We really enjoyed our meal from Fishbowl in Grand Slam Arena.
Refreshing Beverages: Sip signature cocktails or visit the Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Bars, local wine – we enjoyed our Jacob’s Creek wines at Le Petit Wine Bar in Garden Square, and craft beer spots while soaking up the summer vibes.
Top Tips! For the pick of the invites, I thought the Marriott Bonvoy Golden Hour Bar seating overlooking the big screen at Grand Slam Oval was a cool viewpoint. Of course, the big corporate invite has some fab-looking lounges. The prettiest goes to Ralph Lauren, love all their greenery, and the most from another world was Emirates.
Immerse Yourself in Melbourne’s Culture
Art Installations: Capture colourful and creative backdrops unique to the AO.
New this year is the Welcome to Melbourne sign “Wominjeka Narrm” (found outside Rod Laver), which is the Woiwurrung language (of the Wurundjeri people). It’s an important cultural greeting acknowledging First Nations heritage and connection to Country. There is a small sign next to it which explains it, but by the end of the first week, it was being used as a place for fans to sit and eat their sarnies! Akin to sitting on a flag, really, although overseas visitors would not know!
Pro Tip: Get in early in the day for your photos; there were long lines when we visited later.
Live Performances: Enjoy daily concerts and roving entertainment from local and international artists.
Family: The AO is great for kids; besides watching tennis, you’ll find interactive games and activities across the site. Check out the Ballpark area, there is Padel tennis at Top Court and inside the Garden Court entrance. You also have the M&Ms Store for a sweet treat (which has a serve & smash photo opp inside (Pro Tip: look upwards at the camera – I found this tricky!!)
TopCourt: offers a fresh fan experience at the tennis with cutting-edge immersive gaming, play zones, live music and DJs on the decks, plus the hottest trends in fashion and beauty.
Shop for Souvenirs
AO Merchandise: Take home exclusive 2026 Australian Open apparel and memorabilia – I mean, who can go past those cute Koala hats?
Player Gear: Pick up tennis essentials and gear inspired by the pros. Check out the New Balance Store and Ralph Lauren who are offering a free polo pin for those who sign up for their mailing list upon entry.
Chemist Warehouse has a large store and a Quick Hit Wellness bar for a free self-serve refresh and free 3-minute massages from 10-12 am and 5-7 pm.
MECCA Beauty Store at Grand Slam Oval – offering everything to ace your beauty services. I especially loved the Keep Your Cool misting station, Hat Hair Refresh and the Set, Styled Unstoppable Pony. Me being me, I did it all, I had my cheeks sculpted and glossy pouty lips by the time I left.
You can collect free sunscreen samples at the MECCA booths across the site as well as top up your ‘Slip, slap, slop’ sunscreen as required.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Day
Plan Ahead: Book tickets for your favourite matches and check the schedule for special events.
Stay Sun-Smart: Bring sunscreen (or visit MECCA COSMETICA booths as above across Melbourne Park), a hat, and a reusable water bottle; there are Waterdrop hydration hubs across Melbourne Park. Check out our court directory above for the courts with shade.
Check out all the competitions and activations – we had fun spotting tennis balls in Haier for their 10,000 draw, and in the Dunlop stand, you have a fun photo Opp which gets e-mailed to you – be prepared to give out your e-mail heaps!
Explore Beyond the Courts: Melbourne’s cafes, laneways, and attractions are just a tram ride away. Do not miss the NGV Vivienne Westwood exhibition whilst in town.
Love the Atmosphere
What makes the Australian Open truly special is its vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. It’s the Grand Slam of the Asia-Pacific, where fans worldwide come together to celebrate their love for tennis. You really won’t be out of place if you dress up in colours to support your home nation, or to wear a hat with tennis balls on it!
The crowd’s energy, the thrill of the matches, and the unbeatable Melbourne summer vibes make this event unforgettable.
My pick for the best AO Photo Ops
I have really enjoyed wandering Melbourne Park and trying to work out which photos will be amongst the most popular shared in 2026. You can find the following
- AO Signage at Garden Square
- Welcome to Melbourne sign “Wominjeka Narrm” (found outside Rod Laver)
- Painted steps outside Margaret Court Arena
- Rod Laver statue at the Yarra River end of Rod Laver Arena
- AO Champions scoreboard between Rod Laver Arena, Garden Square, and John Cain Arena
- AO Big Screen in Grand Slam Oval from Marriott Bonvoy Bar
- Large moving AO sign outside Rod Laver Arena on the way to Garden Square
- AO Hits Different sign overlooking Grandstand Arena.
What to pack for a great day at the Tennis
We have written extensively on what to pack for the Australian Open here.
Game, Set, Match!
The Australian Open is always an incredible experience. From world-class tennis to unforgettable fan experiences, there’s so much to see, do, and love. Whether you’re cheering courtside or exploring Melbourne Park, this year’s tournament is not to be missed. We hope this guide gives you ideas for what to see, do and love at the Australian Open 2026.
Please pin, save and share with your friends attending AO26.
Follow us on Social Media: Find more photos and stories on Instagram throughout the tournament @littlewanderingwren
Little Wandering Wren has attended the Australian Open since Jan 2000 and, as an original Host Family for Tennis Australia, hosted players in her home. This has given her unique insight into tennis, with incredible opportunities for behind-the-scenes access and invitations to cheer on players who have since become friends, in their matches around the globe. In 2023, she completed her Tennis Grand Slam, attending all four Grand Slams worldwide in a calendar year.
You might also enjoy the following further tennis reading:
The Wimbledon Championships and how to be part of it in 2026
How to enjoy ace days at Roland Garros
Hello – Crazy Tennis Mum here!
2 comments
Enjoy the tennis 🙂
All the best Jan
Hi Jenny,
Good to see you back in this space. I’ll be visiting Perth in March. Any tips?
Eileen