AO Media Release, October 8, 2026

Australian Open 2027 will deliver even more ways to watch world-class tennis and experience Melbourne’s biggest summer event, with the largest temporary grandstand ever built at Melbourne Park, triple the shade and a 45 per cent increase in space on a reimagined Grand Slam Oval, and an expanded AO Opening Week.

Following a record-breaking AO 2026 that welcomed more than 1.3 million fans through the gates, AO 2027 will increase viewing capacity, have additional seating and even more shade across the precinct, while delivering three weeks of top tennis action, food, family fun and entertainment from 11-31 January.

The blockbuster million-dollar AO 1 Point Slam powered by Haier returns as a headline event in Opening Week, with superstars Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and world No.1 Jannik Sinner among the first players signing up to compete against the pros and amateur qualifiers for the $1 million prize.

Tennis Australia CEO Andrew Abdo said AO 2027 would continue to evolve in response to record fan demand.

“The tennis will always be at the heart of the Australian Open, and we’re creating more opportunities for fans to see the world’s best players, whether that’s from the front row of Rod Laver Arena during Open Practice, a seat in the new grandstand at Court 6, or cheering for your favourite player during qualifying,” Abdo said.

“Opening Week continues to grow, with unrivalled access to the players and some of the best-value tennis anywhere in the world. By putting thousands and thousands of racquets into the hands of kids, we’re trying to enable a lasting connection to the game and helping inspire future generations of tennis players across Australia.

“At the heart of the creation of the 1 Point Slam is our desire to even more deeply connect the AO to every tennis community in the country. It is an opportunity to be a part of the nation’s biggest sporting event, no matter where you are. There are hundreds of clubs and communities across the country already running their own 1 Point Slam tournaments, giving their players the chance to take on some of the biggest names in tennis and be part of one of the most exciting events of Opening Week.”

Tickets to the million-dollar AO 1 Point Slam start from just $59 and are available on sale at Ticketmaster from 12.00pm AEST today.

Australian Open 2027’s three-week tennis and entertainment program includes:

• OPENING WEEK will see the entire precinct open from Monday 11 January. The most affordable AO experience, with kids priced at just $5 (and free on day one) and adults at $10. Attractions include:

  • AO BALLPARK presented by Emirates

  • TOPCOURT – gaming and daily entertainment

  • GRAND SLAM OVAL – player appearances, live entertainment each day and night

  • OPEN PRACTICE – the world’s best players practising at Rod Laver Arena

  • AO QUALIFYING

  • CHARITY MATCHES (ticketed separately)

  • RACQUET GIVEAWAY – 5000 Swisse Hot Shots Tennis racquets for kids.

• MILLION-DOLLAR AO 1 POINT SLAM is back, with Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and World No.1 Jannik Sinner already locked in. Qualifying events are underway at clubs and tennis communities across the country, and a further two days of qualifying will be held during Opening Week. The final will see the pros competing against amateurs and wildcards for the million dollar prize at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday 13 January.
• TRIPLE THE SHADE AND 45 PER CENT BIGGER FOOTPRINT AS GRAND SLAM OVAL GOES UP – Grand Slam Oval is back bigger than ever, with more two-storey builds increasing the footprint by 45 per cent and the shade structure tripling in size, creating the perfect spot to soak up the AO’s electric festival atmosphere.
• DOORDASH a giant step forward for seamless service on Grand Slam Oval, with DoorDash delivery from selected vendors to fans at Grand Slam Oval’s Golden Hour Bar.
• MEGA GRANDSTAND at Court Six will be the largest temporary grandstand ever constructed at Melbourne Park, with a 17 per cent increase in seating.
• THE HIGHLINE is back, giving fans elevated views, extra shade and a seamless connection to the popular Courtside Bar
• SHAKE SHACK is back with another first – a dine-In experience with pre-booking available.
• AO BREAKFAST on offer daily – from barista coffee at D.O.C. on Grand Slam Oval, Hector’s breakfast menu in Garden Square and YoPRO’s protein-packed options, there will be plenty of ways to fuel up before the first ball is struck.

Tickets for AO 2027 went on sale in August, with the early on-sale date designed to help fans plan their experience.

Early ticket purchasing is encouraged to secure early-bird pricing on the popular Ground Pass, available until 30 November, and to avoid missing out. Ground Pass numbers may be capped on high-demand days based on anticipated attendance and crowd movement across the precinct.