Australian Open Venue Guide: Melbourne Park

The Australian Open is played at Melbourne Park, a 40-hectare sports precinct just south of the city centre, home to the tournament since it moved from Kooyong Stadium in 1988. Three main arenas host the show court matches, all with retractable roofs, plus 35 outdoor courts spread across the grounds.

Rod Laver Arena

Rod Laver Arena is the main stadium, seating 14,820, and the venue for both finals. It was the first tennis venue in the world to have a retractable roof, a feature it’s had since opening in 1988, and the roof now closes in around five minutes if rain or extreme heat rolls in.

Seating on Rod Laver Arena

Rod Laver Arena seating map highlighting the upper-tier longside sections

Longside, upper tier
Runs the length of the court, higher up. The most affordable category.
Rod Laver Arena seating map highlighting the upper-tier shortside sections

Shortside, upper tier
Behind the baseline, higher up, a broader view of both ends of the court.
Rod Laver Arena seating map highlighting the lower-tier longside sections

Longside, lower tier
Closest to the court along its length, in the higher end of the price range.
Rod Laver Arena seating map highlighting the lower-tier shortside sections

Shortside, lower tier
Behind the baseline, close to the court, an intense view straight down the middle.
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Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena

Margaret Court Arena, the tournament’s second show court, seats 7,500 and has had a retractable roof since a 2015 redevelopment. John Cain Arena is the second largest at Melbourne Park, seating 10,500, and is known during the tournament as the People’s Court, since it’s the biggest arena still accessible with a ground pass rather than a reserved seat.

Extreme heat and the roofs

Melbourne in late January regularly climbs past 35°C, and has hit over 40°C during past tournaments. All three main arenas can close their roofs and continue play, which is why the Australian Open rarely loses a day to weather the way an outdoor-only tournament might. Outside courts have no such protection, so factor in shade, water and sun protection if you’re spending time on the grounds beyond the main stadiums.

Getting to Melbourne Park

Melbourne Park sits close to the city centre, within walking distance of Flinders Street Station, with trams and trains both serving the precinct directly. It’s one of the more accessible Grand Slam venues, given how close it sits to central Melbourne compared with, say, Roland Garros or the US Open.

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