The Australian Open 2026 will be the first Grand Slam of the tennis calendar year. It will take place at Melbourne Park from Monday, January 12, to Sunday, February 1, 2026, covering Opening Week, the main draw, and finals weekend. The venues include the Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, and John Cain Arena. With day and night sessions, ticket holders will undoubtedly have a packed schedule. For the first week of the tournament, the early-round matches are best enjoyed with a Ground Pass. This pass, offering access to multiple courts and outdoor venues, is a great value for tennis enthusiasts. As the tournament progresses, the finals take place at the end of the schedule, with the women’s final on Saturday, January 31, 2026, and the men’s final on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
How to Buy Tickets for the Australian Open 2026
Any tennis fan would love to attend the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne. The best tennis is experienced live, and there are options from the budget-friendly Ground Pass to the premium hospitality packages. Let's quickly look at the different types of tickets and pricing.
An Australian Open Ground Pass gives you access to the outdoor courts, including Kia Arena, 1573 Arena, and unreserved seating in John Cain Arena. For AO26, Ground Pass pricing varies by phase and session, with qualifying starting from $10, Week 1 Ground Passes from $49 (early bird) or $59 (regular), and Night Ground Passes starting from $19. It's your ticket to multiple matches and the vibrant atmosphere in and around Melbourne Park.
You'll need to invest in stadium tickets to get reserved seating at Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, or John Cain Arena. These ticket types vary in price according to the seating. Stadium ticket prices vary by arena, session, and round, with Rod Laver Arena sessions and later rounds typically priced higher than early-round matches, though, during the finals, the cost of prime seating can easily exceed $300.
The most luxurious experiences are offered via the premium and hospitality packages for the Australian Open. These packages can include on-court seating, access to exclusive lounges, and fine dining at some of Melbourne's renowned restaurants. These packages are the premium way to enjoy the event and typically include VIP travel and accommodation options.
Where to Buy Tickets for the Australian Open 2026
Getting tickets to the Australian Open likely dominates conversation in most tennis lessons in Melbourne. Ticketmaster is the official ticket provider for the Australian Open 2026. Visit Ticketmaster for session details and ticket availability. Premium packages and other experiences are available through the official Australian Open website and authorised travel partners such as AO Travel and Events Travel. Always check that any third-party tickets are offered by authorised travel partners.
Tips for Buying Australian Open Tickets 2026
Buying tickets for any big event can be difficult and confusing, especially given the different ticket and travel options available to visitors. Here are just a few of our tips.
As with any popular event, it's a good idea to buy your tickets as soon as possible. Popular night sessions and the finals sell out very quickly. Tickets for Australian Open 2026 went on sale to the general public at 12pm AEST on Tuesday 7 October 2025, via Ticketmaster.
Be sure to purchase tickets from official sources like Ticketmaster to avoid counterfeit tickets.
For tour and hospitality experiences, premium packages bundle seating, accommodation, and other exclusive perks.
To make the most of every day, you want to maximise your tennis enjoyment. The first week of the tournament offers better opportunities to gain access to players, whereas the second week offers high-stakes finals and marquee events.
Not only is the Australian Open one of the best sporting experiences available, but you can make it far more enjoyable with better planning and the right tickets.
What Does a Ground Pass Include at the Australian Open 2026?
If you want to save some money for your own tennis lessons, it's worthwhile starting with the most cost-effective ticketing option for the Australian Open 2026 in Melbourne. Ground Pass prices vary by date and session at AO26, with cheaper options during Opening Week/qualifying and Night Ground Passes starting from $19, where you can experience the event atmosphere without needing a reserved seat in a stadium like Rod Laver Arena or Margaret Court Arena. You might think that the Ground Pass offers little as the cheapest ticketing option, but you may be pleasantly surprised.
Access to Multiple Arenas and Courts
The Ground Pass opens up a world of tennis action, granting access to outdoor courts like the 1573 Arena and Kia Arena during the early-round matches. Unreserved seating in John Cain Arena when available, offering an excellent way to enjoy competitive tennis matches up close.
Festival Atmosphere
The Ground Pass gives you access to various events and activities around Melbourne Park. Check out the Grand Slam Oval, which offers entertainment, food stalls, and live music. The AO Ballpark offers kid-friendly games and interactive experiences that are fun for all the family.
Live Entertainment and Dining
AO LIVE returns for AO26 at John Cain Arena, with ticketed shows including performances from musical acts during finals week.
fans attended the Australian Open.
Practice Sessions
The Ground Pass allows you to watch players practice on the outdoor courts. It's a great way to see your favourite tennis stars and maybe even get a chance for an autograph or a selfie.
Getting to the Australian Open 2026
Thanks to the many different travel options, getting to the Australian Open 2026 in Melbourne is easy. After all, Melbourne Park is centrally located in the city and accessible by train, tram, car, or even bike.
Flinders Street Station, Jolimont Station, and Richmond Station are all within a short walking distance of Melbourne Park’s entrances.
Tram Routes 70 and 70a go to Rod Laver Arena and Melbourne Arena. AO patrons can typically access free tram travel on the day of attendance on routes 70 and 70a between Flinders Street and Melbourne Park.
If you're looking for on-site parking, you can purchase an upgrade to park at the National Tennis Centre when you buy your tickets. There's also the Yarra Park Car Park near Gate 3 off Punt Road, which costs $10 (EFTPOS only) for off-site parking. Parking is available along the Yarra River on Alexandra Avenue and in parking lots around Southbank and the CBD.
There's dedicated bike parking at the underpass of the William Barak Bridge and near Entrance A, on Olympic Boulevard.
Can You Bring Food and Drink to the Australian Open?
In short, yes. However, there are a few rules regarding food and drink. You can bring small meals and snacks like sandwiches, fruit, muesli bars, and other portable snacks. You can also bring non-alcoholic drinks in plastic bottles and non-glass containers up to 1.5 litres in size. Bringing a reusable water bottle to fill up at free water stations throughout Melbourne Park is worthwhile. If you don't feel like bringing your own food, plenty of dining experiences are available. The Grand Slam Oval has pop-up restaurants and food stalls if you're hungry between matches between the tournament favourites.
AO LIVE returns for AO26 at John Cain Arena, with ticketed shows including The Kid LAROI (28 Jan 2026), Spacey Jane (29 Jan), The Veronicas + SOFI TUKKER (30 Jan), Reneé Rapp (31 Jan), and Peggy Gou (1 Feb)
How to See Your Favourite Tennis Stars at the Australian Open 2026
Most tennis fans at the Australian Open will want to see good tennis and their favourite tennis stars. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to see your favourites up close.
Practice Sessions
We recommend attending practice sessions at Rod Laver Arena. Practice sessions are usually held between 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM every day. From here, you'll have an incredible view of some of the best players preparing for their matches. You can also access the Player Practice Village outside the National Tennis Centre between 8:30 AM and 4 PM.
Autographs and Photos
During the day sessions, players often sign autographs and pose for photos at Garden Square. Make sure that you always have your tennis gear and camera on you, as you may even catch players heading to and from the courts.
Scheduling
Since the tournament is an elimination event, knowing who will play on which day or during each session is impossible. We recommend watching the schedule closely via the official AO website. Enjoy the best of the tournament from last year.
Making the Most of Your Australian Open 2026 Experience
While it's unlikely you'll be disappointed with your trip to the Australian Open in Melbourne Park with all its entertainment, atmosphere, and tennis, careful and smart planning will help you make the most of it.
Plan how you'll get there, what you want to see, and what you want to do. That way, you'll enjoy everything the Australian Open offers and leave having had a wonderful tennis experience. Also, many fans find that exploring tennis coaching near me can help them improve their game after being inspired by the event.
Superprof can help you find local tennis coaches with the click of a button. If you live in Melbourne, for example, it's as simple as typing on your browser "tennis class Melbourne," followed by Superprof, and you'll have access to a long catalogue of tennis teachers in the city. If you're based in Sydney, check out tennis lessons Sydney to find expert coaching tailored to your needs.
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Can I buy tickets at the gate ?
Hi Charmaine! Yes, you can purchase tickets at the gate. However, there’s no guarantee your preferred sessions will still be available. For the best chance of securing seats to the matches you want to see, we suggest booking in advance through authorised online sellers.