C&G’s Guide to the Australian Open

Local Community

It’s that time of year again! The courts are primed, the Aperol is chilling and the world’s tennis greats are preparing to descend on Melbourne. Today, C&G shares how to enjoy the Australian Open at its best.

What’s On

Whether you’re a Grand Slam fan or not, there’s plenty going on around the event village for tennis lovers and haters alike. Split into various zones, expect food trucks, Instagram-worthy flower walls and Aperol pop-ups on every corner.

A Ground Pass gets you access to the whole village, outer courts and play in Hisense Arena, so you can enjoy a spot of tennis while sipping a summer drink without the world class price tag. If you’re looking to splash out a little more, grab a Margaret Court or Rod Laver ticket, which includes all the rights of a Ground Pass, plus the nail biting play of your favourite tennis stars on the main courts. 

AO Live Stage

The Australian Open is more than a sporting event – there will also be 15 consecutive days of music and festival fun. This year’s live stage includes performances from Jimmy Barnes, Daryl Braithwaite and Rudimental. You can access the live stage with a Ground Pass or any major court ticket, so make the most of your chance to see your favourite acts perform live in the heart of the event. View the full schedule here

Dining

From flashy, high-end corporate dining packages to eats from your favourite food trucks, there’s something to suit every appetite at this year’s Aus Open. For reservation-only exclusivity, look to 88 Melbourne in the Garden Square Balcony, Rockpool and Nobu in Hisense Arena or enjoy incredible vistas at the nearby Glasshouse. Look out for the Lavazza Coffee Lounge to keep you perky through those late night on-court showdowns, food truck faves like Biggie Smalls, and pop-up iterations of well-loved eateries like Gazi, Doughnut Time and Burger Project 

Tournaments

The whole tournament runs from Monday 15 Jan - Sunday 28 Jan. The number of games in play gradually decreases throughout the fortnight, as each competitor is knocked out of the competition – so if you’re looking for a game-packed visit, try to attend in week 1. With the exception of the final weekend, gates open at 10am each day, with play on-court commencing from 11am. On Saturday 13 Jan, the grounds hold a Kids’ Tennis Day, with free entry from 1pm, so bring the whole family along to sample the Grand Slam in the lead up to its climax.

Tickets

Tickets are sold by Ticketek, so head over and grab yours before it’s too late.