Interactive entertainment precinct coming to Australian Open
A “game changing” interactive entertainment precinct aimed at the next generation of sports fans is set to take over part of Birrarung Marr at next year’s Australian Open.
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A new interactive entertainment precinct aimed at the next generation of sports fans will be unveiled at next year’s Australian Open.
“Top Court” will take over part of Birrarung Marr not used for the Melbourne Grand Slam since 2020, with a gaming pavilion, Esports, fashion shows, pop up shops, DJs, food and youth orientated fun.
Open organisers hope the new “game changing” precinct does for spectators what Garden Square, Grand Slam Oval and the Courtside Bar did for Melbourne’s iconic major event, in terms of reshaping how fans enjoy a day at the tennis.
The new area will fill part of the vast Grand Slam site, Middle Terrace, previously used to stage bands and music acts such as Fat Boy Slim, Billy Idol and Craig David on the AO Live Stage.
Tennis Australia customer service director Amanda del Prete said it would be a “fresh, interactive playground’’ with technology, gaming, VR, live DJs, food, fashion, and beauty.
“We always strive to create something new at the AO and Top Court will be a tennis experience like no other,’’ she said.
“Expect cutting-edge tech, immersive gaming and AR, live music, DJ Tiebreakers, and the hottest trends in food, fashion, and beauty — making Top Court the ultimate hangout spot this summer.”
The new zone is likely to be a hit with Aussie tennis ace Nick Kyrgios, a massive gaming fan who had his entire back tattooed in homage to Pokemon.
Kyrgios, a crowd favourite, has been teasing a comeback from injury and Open organisers hope the 29-year-old could take the court at Melbourne Park for the first time since 2022.
It comes as the price of popular ground passes at January’s Open will be frozen for a limited time, in a win for the hip pockets of fans during a cost of living crisis.
With AO tickets going on sale to the public from Thursday, adult ground passes for the first week of the tournament will cost $49, kids $10 and teens $29 until November 30.
Adult ground passes to the popular middle weekend will be $69 during that period, $19 for the second week and a seven-day pass for week two starts at $99 for adults and $15 for kids.
Australian Open boss Craig Tiley said: “We’re always looking for ways to make the AO as accessible and family friendly as possible.
“This is why we’ve frozen all Ground Passes purchased during the early bird period from 10 October to 30 November.”
He said there would be a focus on attracting children and youths to the “Happy Slam’’.
“Whether they’re coming with friends or family, we want them to have more opportunities to experience everything the AO has to offer, including Top Court, a brand new precinct designed especially for the next generation of fans,’’ he said.
Originally published as Interactive entertainment precinct coming to Australian Open
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