The Australian Open is one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world. As the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, it attracts huge interest from tennis fans across the globe. With so much demand for tickets, it can be confusing to understand how the Australian Open ticketing system works.
When do Australian Open tickets go on sale?
Tickets for the upcoming Australian Open typically go on sale in October or November of the previous year. The exact on-sale date varies, but it’s usually announced well in advance on the tournament’s official website and social media pages. Fans are encouraged to sign up for email updates to receive notification when tickets become available.
The Australian Open utilizes a tiered ticket release system to manage high demand:
- First release: Members of Tennis Australia (the national governing body) get early access to purchase tickets before the general public. This includes patrons who signed up for the AO Club.
- Second release: This is the first chance for the general public to get tickets. Sales typically open in October and are first-come, first-served.
- Third release: Another batch of tickets is released closer to the tournament, usually in December. This helps fill any remaining availability.
- Final release: Last minute tickets are made available in the week leading up to the tournament.
It’s recommended to buy early, as high demand means popular sessions can sell out quickly in the initial ticket releases. Frustrated fans often complain about missing out on the first sales.
What types of Australian Open tickets are there?
The Australian Open offers a wide range of ticket products catering to different budgets and interests:
- Ground passes – Cheapest option allowing access to walk around the grounds and watch matches on outdoor courts and big screens. No reserved seating.
- Upgraded ground passes – Slightly more expensive passes with access to Show Courts 2 and 3.
- Reserved seat tickets – Guarantee a reserved seat at one of the major Show Courts in arena-style stadiums like Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena. Most expensive option.
- Packages – Bundled deals combining tickets, hotel, food etc. Popular options but can be pricier.
Where can I buy Australian Open tickets?
There are a few options to purchase Australian Open tickets:
- Directly via the Australian Open website. This is the best place to buy and guarantees legitimacy.
- Ticket reseller sites like StubHub. Higher prices but convenient for sold out matches.
- Ticket package deals through approved tour operators.
- Outside the venue from scalpers. Risky and not recommended.
The Australian Open website has an easy interactive venue map to help select your preferred tickets. Simply filter by date, session, price and category to view available options. Ground passes can be bought individually, while reserved seats are sold as part of a ticket package over multiple sessions or the full tournament.
When is the Australian Open played?
The Australian Open is always held in January, marking the beginning of the Grand Slam calendar. The tournament runs for 2 weeks, spanning late January into early February.
The precise Australian Open dates are as follows for upcoming editions:
Year | Start Date | End Date |
---|---|---|
2023 | January 16 | January 29 |
2024 | January 15 | January 28 |
2025 | January 20 | February 2 |
Each day follows a similar schedule, with day and night sessions across the three main show courts. Play typically runs from 11am to 11pm local time in Melbourne.
Where is the Australian Open played?
The Australian Open is held at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Victoria. The site contains 3 main arenas:
- Rod Laver Arena – Centre court and main show court with retractable roof. Capacity of 14,820.
- Margaret Court Arena – Second show court. Capacity of 7,500.
- John Cain Arena – Outdoor arena, formerly known as Hisense Arena. 10,500 capacity.
There are also plenty of outdoor and indoor courts for early round matches. The Melbourne Park precinct provides a scenic setting right next to the Yarra River and Melbourne skyline.
How much do Australian Open tickets cost?
Australian Open ticket prices vary significantly depending on the type, session and court location. Some general ballpark costs are:
- Ground passes from $50 per session
- Upgraded ground passes from $90 per session
- Rod Laver Arena from $150 per session
- Margaret Court Arena from $95 per session
- John Cain Arena from $85 per session
Packages with reserved seats for multiple sessions or across tournaments can run into the thousands. Premium hospitality packages are also available for an upmarket experience.
The cheapest way to attend is getting ground passes for the outer courts in early rounds. However this only provides freedom of movement around the outer grounds, not a reserved seat. Prices increase significantly for marquee matches in the second week.
Are there any discounts or promotions?
The Australian Open offers special discounts and promotions from time to time:
- Kids tickets – Children ages 3 to 14 are eligible for cheaper tickets. Verification of age is required upon entry.
- Concession tickets – Discounts for students, pensioners and healthcare card holders on most tickets.
- Deals for groups – Booking for 10 people or more unlocks some group discount offers.
- Family packages – Special deals for families attending together.
- Promo codes – Occasional promo codes are released, providing 10-20% off certain tickets.
It’s also sometimes possible to get discounted tickets as part of tournament promotional activities in the lead up. Attending the Australian Open fan weeks, qualifying tournament or other precinct events can unlock ticket offers.
What COVID-19 protocols are in place?
The 2023 Australian Open is expected to run at full capacity without COVID-19 restrictions. However, the tournament organizers reserve the right to implement health protocols if necessary, such as:
- Mandatory vaccines
- Masks required indoors
- Spectator caps on certain courts
- Checking in with QR codes for contact tracing
- Physical distancing measures
Fans must keep up to date with latest requirements via the Australian Open website. Refunds may be offered if cancelled due to COVID-19.
Can you get access to player practice courts?
In the lead up to the tournament, fans can watch players practice for free at the Australian Open Practice Village. It’s a great chance to see top players up close as they prepare. Access is on a first-come, first-served basis so lines can be lengthy for star players.
Once the tournament is underway, practice courts are closed off to the public so players can train in private. Fans with ground passes can sometimes catch glimpses of players practicing via back fences and side views. But direct access is restricted during the tournament itself.
How does the ballot for tickets work?
Due to extremely high demand, the Australian Open uses a ballot system for many tickets types. This means a random draw is used to allocate tickets if oversubscribed. Fans must pre-register during the ballot period, then a computerized lottery determines who gets offered tickets.
The main ballot sales phases are:
- Members ballot – Tennis Australia members get first rights to enter the ballot in August.
- AO Club ballot – Free to join and gives ballot access in September before the public.
- General public ballot – Open ballot for all fans, held for a 2 week period from late September. Often over 500,000 people register.
Ballots are weighted towards giving Tennis Australia members the best chance. But general public registrants are still randomly selected. There are also specific ballots for highly popular tickets like the finals.
Are there resale options for sold out tickets?
If tickets for a particular Australian Open session are showing sold out, fans have a couple options:
- Join the official Resale Platform closer to the tournament – this is an official ticket exchange managed by the Australian Open.
- Try secondary resellers like StubHub – more expensive but still legitimate tickets.
- Consider ground passes without reserved seating.
Scalpers and Viagogo are risky sources best avoided. Patience can pay off too, as extra tickets are sometimes released. Make sure to be logged in ready on Australian Open tickets when they open up resamples or extra releases.
What are the best matches and sessions to get tickets for?
The most popular Australian Open tickets are for night matches in the second week featuring the top players and Men’s and Women’s Finals. Marquee matchups like Federer vs Nadal always see astronomical demand. Expect to pay a premium price for these primetime and finals tickets on the show courts from the get go. They are easily the first to sell out.
On the other hand, great value can be found on ground passes for the outer courts in the first week. You can watch rising stars and enjoy the Grand Slam atmosphere for under $50 a session. Kids tickets also provide big savings.
Middle weekend and day sessions are less in demand than nights. Still great tennis but without the full crowds. Targeting these time slots can be a savvy way to access Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena if the prime sessions are out of reach.
Are food and drinks included?
Food and drinks are not included with Australian Open tickets by default. All ticketholders need to purchase any refreshments separately inside the grounds. Prices are comparable to sporting events and concerts. Expect to pay around $6-10 for snacks and drinks.
There are many eateries and bars spread around Melbourne Park to grab a bite. Options range from food courts with major chains to trendy restaurants. Alcoholic drinks must be consumed within designated licensed areas.
Some corporate hospitality packages may include premium dining as part of the deal. Also note that kids eat free on ground passes if accompanied by an adult ticketholder.
How to get to the Australian Open
Melbourne Park is located right in the heart of Melbourne, just outside the Central Business District. Public transport is the easiest way for most fans to get to and from the tennis.
Train – Flinders Street and Richmond stations are both a short walk from Melbourne Park. All suburban train lines service these stations.
Tram – Convenient tram routes 70, 75 and the City Circle stop right outside Melbourne Park on Flinders Street.
Bus – Multiple bus routes service Richmond station and the south side of Melbourne Park.
Driving and parking is not recommended due to traffic congestion and expense. If essential, secure parking is available at Melbourne Park for $40 per day. Otherwise, look for commercial parking stations nearby.
Are Australian Open tickets transferrable?
Official Australian Open tickets are transferrable, meaning you can sell them on or give them to friends if plans change. However they must still be used for the specific session originally purchased – the new ticketholder cannot just turn up any time.
Etickets are fully transferrable via the Australian Open’s official Resale Platform. Paper tickets can also be transferred, but the new holder must present ID matching the original purchaser on first entry for validation. After this initial verification, the paper ticket can be freely used for subsequent sessions by anyone.
Is there seating for people with disabilities?
The Australian Open accommodates disabled access tickets across all major show courts. Motorized scooter, wheelchair and companion seating is available in designated areas.
Disabled patrons should contact Australian Open Customer Service when purchasing tickets to discuss requirements. Certain entry points, elevators and amenities are also provided around Melbourne Park for accessibility.
Conclusion
Hopefully this guide provides tennis fans with a clearer picture of how ticketing works for the first Grand Slam of the year at the Australian Open. The tournament organizers make big efforts to provide fair access to tickets despite huge demand. By understanding the phased ticket releases, sale dates, ballot system and other intricacies covered here, you can optimize your chances of securing seats even for popular sessions.
While the Australian Open continues growing in global stature, it remains accessible to fans through affordable ground passes. Or for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, splash out on premium reserved seats to see your idols up close on the big stage. However you choose to experience it, the electric atmosphere is unmatched at the Australian Open.