How much do Australian Open tickets cost and what do I get for my money?

How many tickets are there?

Ground passes for adults at the start of the tournament are $59, $89 midway through Friday and Saturday, and $35 in the final week. This is good value if you like to roam the outdoor courts, and that too with access to unreserved seats in the John Cain Arena.

Reserved seating costs for the main arenas – Rod Laver Arena (Center Court), Margaret Court Arena and reserved seating at John Cain – vary widely depending on the session (day or night) and stage of the tournament.

Center court tickets start at $79, but demand is high and prices fluctuate due to “dynamic pricing,” meaning demand affects costs in real time. For example, tickets for the first Monday (Jan. 19) day session at Rod Laver Arena are $169. That night, a center court seat starts at $199. A seat at Margaret Court Arena on the day will set you back $135 for the day or $89 for the night event.

AO spruiks the starting price for the men’s and women’s finals at $299, but demand was so strong this week that the cheapest ticket for the men’s final was $1449 on Ticketmaster.

Tickets for each individual session are purchased through Ticketmaster. Similarly, event “experiences” (which include treats with your seat) are purchased through the “AO Reserve” option.

Ticket resale is possible through Ticketmaster Resale. You can buy tickets here.

Who are the big stars? And who doesn’t come?

The men’s event will be led by world number one and two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner, strong Italian rival Carlos Alcaraz and ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, who is still a force at 38 and reached the semi-finals of all four majors last year.

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Australia has one man in the world top 10, Alex de Minaur, while the top local woman is Maya Joint. In the women’s draw, 2024 winner Aryna Sabalenka, Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek, two-time major winner Coco Gauff and defending champion Madison Keys are the main attractions.

Denmark’s Holger Rune (Achilles) and Britain’s Jack Draper (arm) are the only men missing through injury, while female stars Ons Jabeur (maternity leave) and last year’s pantomime villain, American Danielle Collins, will also be missing.

However, Venus Williams got a wild card at the age of 45.

Australian draw Nick Kyrgios singled out the Open again. He started his latest comeback at the Brisbane International and is still waiting to see if he will get an AO wild card.

AO events and activities

There will be music and entertainment throughout the tournament (branded as AO Live).

At the John Cain Arena in week two, The Kid Laroi (Wednesday, January 28), Spacey Jane (Thursday, January 29), The Veronicas and Sofi Tukker (Friday, January 30), Reneé Rapp (Saturday, January 31) and Peggy Gou (Sunday, February 1) will perform.

Admission to these shows is with a separate ticket that includes ground access.

There is also pre-game entertainment (included in match ticket) each night at Rod Laver Arena, including Cody Simpson, Leo Sayer, Casey Donovan, Olivia Coe-Fox with didgeridoo player Neenan and Jude York. The men’s final will feature Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

Plus four nights of music and DJs at Topcourt, on the edge of the Birrarung Marr precinct, during Opening Week.

Click here for full details on AO Live.

What is Opening Week?

As of Monday, January 12, it used to be all about the qualifiers, where players fight for the last spots in the main draw. Now it’s more of a music festival with qualifications, training, charity matches and a children’s tennis day.

Before you know it, the Australian Open is almost three weeks away.

Here’s a complete overview of Opening Week:

Monday January 12: Qualifications and experience. This is a “kids free” day for children 12 and under. Youth (12-17) $15, Adults $20.

Tuesday, January 13: Qualifications and experience. Children $10, Youth $15, Adults $20.
Evening matches with the best men’s and women’s players. Tickets from $29 include a ground pass.
From 5:30 p.m: British synth-pop group Hot Chip and Melbourne DJs Milo Eastwood and O Honey. Tickets $69 including ground admission.

Wednesday January 14: Qualifications and experience as above.
An evening match featuring the best women’s players, followed by a One-point Slam where amateur players try to score a point against pros like Alcaraz for a chance to win $1 million. Tickets from $29.
From 17:30: Grammy-nominated British DJ and singer Elderbrook, plus Samantha Loveridge, Juno Mamba and Jordz. Tickets $69.

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Thursday, January 15: Qualifications and experience as above.
Evening matches with the best players including Alex De Minaur and Alcaraz. Tickets $57.
From 17:30: Melbourne born DJ Cassian, plus Willo, OLIIV and bellxsxs. Tickets $69.

Friday January 16: Exercise as above.
Evening matches with top players including Sinner and Felix Auger-Aliassim. Tickets $57.
From 17:30: Iconic Aussie duo The Presets plus RONA, DJ set by Harvey Sutherland and Post Percy. Tickets $69. The concerts will be held on the open air stage at Topcourt, at the end of the Birrurung Marr precinct.

Saturday 17 January: Children’s tennis day including activities, games with Hot Shots coaches and entertainment. Children $15, Youth $25, Adults $30.
19 hours: Opening ceremony with Roger Federer. Tickets $199.

Wait, did we already have the opening ceremony?

No. This is a new initiative in 2026 that will see crowd favorite and six-time Australian Open champion Federer once again grace his beloved Rod Laver Arena. Federer will face Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter in a “battle of world number one”. Crowded House provides entertainment. It’s not cheap though. Adult tickets are on sale for $199, while a ticket to the “Roger Federer Q&A” costs $2,500.

What are the food and drink options?

Popular Melbourne restaurants on site will include debutants AO Hector’s Deli (sandwiches and homemade sodas), Layla (Middle Eastern inspired menu), Shake Shack, Season (Vietnamese fried chicken), Ho Jiak (Malaysian cuisine), JollyGood (Melbourne collaboration), Stalactites x Taverna and Greek cuisine).

Returning to Melbourne Park are Entrecôte, Vic’s Meat – The Chefs Butcher, DOC, Fishbowl and Wonder Pies.

Fine dining at AO Reserve includes L’Enclume and Umbel (Simon Rogan), Bennelong and Quay (Peter Gilmore), Tasmania’s Agrarian Kitchen, SK Steak and Oyster, Brisbane’s Sushi Room, Victoria and Farmer’s Daughters and the Caretaker’s Cottage cocktail bar.

What else can I see and do?

Once the tournament is in full swing, mark the following dates on your calendar:

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January 21 (Evonne Goolagong Cawley Day): First Nations art, music, language and storytelling.
27 January (All Abilities Day): A celebration for the disabled community.
January 29 (Women’s and Girls’ Day): On the same day as the women’s singles semi-finals.
January 30 (Pride Day): Tournament “Glam Slam”, LGBTQ+ tournament on the last weekend.

Also watch the AO Legends Cup in the final week, the Wheelchair Tournament Championship (January 26-31), the AO Deaf Tennis Slam and the AO Intellectual Disability Tennis Slam.

How do I get there?

Melbourne Park is about a 20-25 minute walk from the Melbourne CBD, along the Yarra River and across Birrarung Marr.

For those traveling by car, public parking is available at nearby Yarra Park. There are designated carpool zones along Olympic Boulevard.

AO is easily accessible by public transport. Train passengers can get off at Flinders Street, Jolimont or Richmond stations. Pedestrian signs will guide you to one of three park entrances.

From January 12 to February 1, AO ticket holders can travel for free on tram lines 70/70a.

No need to tap the Myki, but make sure you have your AO ticket.

Entrance tram stops AO:

• Stop 7B – Rod Laver Arena / MCG Gates 1-3: Best for Garden Square access.
• Stop 7A – William Barak Bridge: Short walk to Birrarung Marr Entrance.
• Stop 7C – MCG Gates 4-7 / John Cain Arena: Cross the footbridge onto Olympic Boulevard and enter the Grand Slam Oval Entrance.

Fans can also walk from the new Town Hall as from Flinders Street Station, with access to the Birrarung Marr entrance nearby. To mark the opening of the Melbourne Metro tunnel, public transport users can enjoy free weekend travel until February 1.

How can I watch tennis on TV?

Host station Nine (owner of this masthead) has full coverage of the tournament.

Every court can be streamed online via 9Now and Stan Sport. You’ll also see a lot of the main matches on Nine’s free-to-air channels.

Follow our Australian Open live blog every day from January 18 for results, news, analysis and interviews.