The Australian Open is one of the biggest and most exciting tennis tournaments in the world. As one of the four Grand Slam events, the Aus Open attracts top players from across the globe and fans flock to Melbourne Park each January to see the action live. If you’re planning to attend the Australian Open, one of the most affordable ticket options is a ground pass.
Ground Pass Overview
A ground pass provides access to the outer courts and grounds of the Melbourne Park complex where the Australian Open is held. It allows you to freely roam around the grounds and watch matches at any of the outer court stadiums, except for Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena which require separate reserved seat tickets.
With a ground pass, you can get a taste of the electric atmosphere at the Aus Open and see many early round matches featuring both top players and up-and-coming talents. It’s a flexible, budget-friendly way to soak up some live tennis action without being tied to a specific court or schedule.
What You Can Access
Here are some of the key things a ground pass gets you access to at the Australian Open:
- All outdoor courts except Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena – this includes Show Courts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 15 and 16.
- Grand Slam Oval – where you can watch matches on big screens
- Garden Square – live entertainment and activities
- Heineken Bar – popular spot to grab drinks and food
- Australian Open retail stores
- Food courts and concession stands
- Australian Open Fan Experience – fun interactive activities and games
You’ll have plenty of options for matches to watch and ways to enjoy the festive atmosphere. Top players will appear on the outer courts in the early rounds before the tournament progresses to the main stadiums in the second week.
Where You Can’t Go
While ground passes grant access to most areas of Melbourne Park, there are some restricted zones. A ground pass alone does not give you access to:
- Rod Laver Arena – Centre court stadium where the finals are held
- Margaret Court Arena – Second biggest stadium with a capacity of 7,500
- VIP and premium hospitality areas
To access Rod Laver Arena or Margaret Court Arena, you’ll need to purchase a separate reserved seat ticket. These provide guaranteed seats at one of the main stadiums for a particular session and tend to be more expensive than ground passes.
Daily Grounds Passes
Ground passes can be purchased as a single day pass or a full event pass covering the 2 weeks of the tournament. Here are the typical ground pass options:
Pass Type | Details | Price |
---|---|---|
Adult Single Day Ground Pass | Access to grounds for one day of tournament | $49 – $95 per day |
Adult Full Event Ground Pass | Access to grounds for all 14 days | $209 – $495 for full event |
Concession Single Day | One day access for seniors, students, etc. | $30 – $80 per day |
Concession Full Event | 14 day access for seniors, students, etc. | $149 – $310 for full event |
Family Pass | 1-2 adults & 2-3 kids | $49 – $170 per day |
Kids Single Day (ages 3-14) | One day access for kids 3-14 years | $10 – $30 per day |
Prices vary by the day of the tournament, with higher demand and bigger crowds on weekends and the finals. Buying well in advance can get you the lowest prices.
Getting a Great Experience on a Ground Pass
Here are some tips for having an awesome time at the Australian Open with a ground pass:
- Come early – be at the gates when grounds open at 9am to beat the long lines and get your pick of outer court matches.
- Study the schedule – review order of play online the day before to plan what matches to see.
- Follow a player – track one of your favorite players scheduled on outer courts and watch all their matches.
- Get on the big screen – head to Garden Square or Grand Slam Oval to watch video coverage of all the courts.
- Bring supplies – food, water, sunscreen and a hat make for a more comfortable day.
- Check out the grounds – visit sponsor booths, activations, and the AO Fan Experience.
- Stay late – outer court matches often go into the night under the floodlights.
Exploring all parts of Melbourne Park, catching the live action and soaking up the electric atmosphere are all part of the fun with an Australian Open ground pass!
Conclusion
A ground pass to the Australian Open gives you access to all the outer match courts and the lively, fan-filled grounds of Melbourne Park. While you miss out on seats at the two main stadiums, there are still plenty of high-quality matches and fun experiences to be had. It’s an affordable way for tennis fans to get a taste of the action at one of the most thrilling Grand Slam tournaments.
With some savvy planning around schedules and by following the tips above, you can have an unforgettable day out at the tennis with an Aus Open ground pass. There’s nothing quite like taking in the Grand Slam excitement live alongside thousands of passionate Aussie fans!