The Best Way to See the Australian Open

Fierce competition, electric crowds and Melbourne’s world-class food scene make The Australian Open – our very own tennis grand slam – the event of the summer. Each year the city buzzes as visitors from around the globe come to watch the action over fifteen days. In 2025, take attending the tournament to the next level with AO Travel & Experiences. Get early access to tickets, book hotels within walking distance of the arena and enjoy opulent dining between matches as part of your itinerary. Here’s what you need to know.

Where and when is the Australian Open?

At Victoria’s Melbourne Park, the world’s top tennis players will battle it out on the iconic blue hardcourts from 12 to 26 January 2025. The winners will earn the right to take home the highly sought after Australian Open silverware as well as a hefty chunk of the more than $85 million prize pool, split equally between the male and female competitors. 

How to book tickets

Tickets for the Australian Open go on sale in October 2024, but with an AO Travel & Experiences package you can lock in the best seats in the house right now. For those who want to leave the planning to the pros, the program’s Created by the Experts packages come with upper baseline tickets for daytime and twilight matches as well as multi-day passes. If you’d prefer a little flexibility, opt for a Custom Package, where you’ll be able to choose seats anywhere in the arena, from the high upper sideline to the super row, where you’ll be so near the court, you might rub shoulders with the coaches. Want to get even closer to the slam? Book On-Court by Piper-Heidsieck for indulgent courtside viewing (with Champagne!). Prefer something more intimate? There’s a range of private suites available to watch the tennis from. Both are part of AO Reserve's range of exclusive offerings.

Places to stay in Melbourne

While you may not be the one sweating it out on the baseline, after cheering on your favourites, you’re bound to be in need of a comfortable spot to recharge. 

AO Travel & Experience’s Create Your Own packages make booking some of Melbourne’s most exceptional hotels a breeze while planning your itinerary. Whether it’s the five-star Grand Hyatt Melbourne – close to the city’s multicoloured laneways and Chin Chin’s iconic coconut and lime kingfish – or the mid-century-inspired Le Meridien with a pool deck overlooking Fitzroy Gardens, you’re guaranteed a luxurious spot to relax between matches. All you have to do is specify how long (and when) you'll be in town – choose from three, five or seven nights ranging from the dynamic opening sessions to the thrilling finals – and select your AO tickets. Then it's just a matter of packing your bags and picking who to barrack for.

Elevate with extras

 While being at the Australian Open is already bucket-list-worthy, why not take it to new heights with AO Reserve’s premium offerings? These add-ons will get you closer to the court, the competitors and include one-of-a-kind gourmet experiences. The Champions Rooftop is where you can wine, dine and chat with a tennis legend, while enjoying al fresco fare by chef Abel Lusa, the mastermind behind London’s Cambio de Tercio. Between matches, Riverside Social is where you’ll kick back with a cocktail on arrival, live entertainment and Italian-inspired canapes by homegrown chef Blake Shailes who now helms Grandmaster Recorders – one of LA’s hottest rooftop restaurants.

Navigating the buzzing AO precinct is made easy with the AO25 eXplorer map on the AO mobile app and website. Got tickets to the semi finals on Rod Laver? Pop in your destination and the 3D map will show you the easiest route – and an estimated timeframe based on live data – to get there.

SEE ALSO: 5 Ultimate Experiences to Book Ahead of the Australian Open