Australian Open 2020: How to enjoy the tennis on a budget
Tickets to the Australian Open can be expensive, especially if you’re taking the family. But can you still do the tennis in Melbourne on a budget? Here’s the best ways to get bang for your buck.
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Tickets to international sporting events like the Australian Open can be costly but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great day out.
From tickets, food, drink and fun experiences — we’ve found the best ways to get the most value for money during your time at the tennis.
TICKETS
If you’re visiting Grand Slam Oval …
CHEAPEST
The best value for money ticket is a ground pass.
Not only do you get access to the AO ground at any time of the day, but you can watch matches played in Melbourne Arena, 1573 Arena, Show Court 3 and on all outside courts. There’s also access to the AO Live Stage, AO Ballpark and Practice Village.
Ground passes cost $54 for adults and $5 for kids.
On the Australia Day long weekend, ground passes cost $64 each for adults and $5 for kids.
The best day to take the kids is Thursday January 23, as children aged three to 14 get free entry for every adult ticket sold. Four kids can be added to one full-priced adult ticket.
If you’d prefer to pay for a seat inside an arena, the best value is Margaret Court Arena.
Tickets start at $72 each per adult for either a day or evening session.
BEST VALUE
There’s also value in a five day ground pass ticket, which gives you access to Grand Slam Oval and all outdoor courts for five days of your choice across the Open (excluding the first weekend 25-26 January) for $251 per adult and $25 per child.
This equates to $50.20 adult ticket and a $5 children ticket per day.
AO Hilltop at Birrarung Marr …
Avoid the crowds at Grand Slam Oval and watch the tennis from the new AO Hilltop space at Birrarung Marr.
The space is aimed for families with kids aged 10 years and over.
Enjoy the tennis on the big screen or from a 35 metre Sky Flyer Ride where you can get a birds-eye view of the Australian Open (ride requires a paid ticket).
There’s also daily movies, food trucks, a splash park for the kids and shaded Giant Cabana Oasis with hammocks and beanbags for relaxing.
AO Hilltop is open daily from 10am till 7pm, and Fri. 31 Jan from 2pm-10pm and Sat 1 and Sun 2 Feb. from 11am-10pm.
FOOD AND DRINK
If you’re visiting Grand Slam Oval …
CHEAP EATS
— Lobster restaurant Pinchy’s has a kid’s fish slider burger for $9, while the tennis ball meringues cost $6.50.
— Mr Miyagi has Peking duck bao with shredded lettuce and Japanese mayonnaise in a bao bun for $9.50.
— A bucket of chips costs $6 at most outlets.
— Burger chain Grill’d has a kids pack for $16, that comes with a burger with tasty cheese and tomato sauce, snack chips and water.
— Beatbox Kitchen’s The Ralph Burger will set you back $15 for a 155g beef pattie, lettuce, gouda cheese, tomato, onion and sauce.
— Satisfy sweet cravings with a Mango Passion Pavlova for $15 from Pavlovas by Cacao.
— Fancy Mexican and Italian? Why not have both at Mamasita x Little Roma with the Calamari Taco made with grilled calamari, slaw and pesto aioli for $16.
— Get your fried chicken fix with Willy’s Chicken. The AO Fried Chicken comes with a soft bun, Willy’s sauce, mayo, pickles, onion, cheese, mild green relish and lettuce for $17.50.
— Food truck favourites Royale Brothers will serve their AO Royale Burger, the Bacon Royale with beef, cheese, bacon, onion, lettuce, pickles, mustard and Royale sauce, also for $17.50.
— And if you don’t want to buy food or drink at the AO precinct, you can always BYO.
BEST VALUE
There’s also Atlas founder Charlie Carrington’s Lomah, which will serve a Mediterranean grazing tray for two including hummus, falafels, salads, pickles, nuts, charcuterie, cheese and pita breads for $39.
BEST FOR FAMILIES
New Melbourne lobster roll restaurant Pinchy’s and healthy burger chain Grill’d have family meal deals at the AO Ballpark from 5pm-6pm daily.
Pinchy’s deal costs $64 (valued at $86) for two adults and two children and you’ll get three creamy croquettes, one wasabi potato salad, two fish slider burgers, two crispy fries, four drinks and one Natural Confectionary lolly bag.
Grill’d is doing a kids pack for $16 which includes a beef burger with tasty cheese and tomato sauce, snack chips and water.
AO Hilltop at Birrarung Marr.
Chef Calamari Food Truck has summer prawn tacos on the menu for $22. You get two tortillas with battered prawns, pineapple salsa and slaw, with a side of corn chips and salsa.
Boost Juice’s icy blueberry summer smoothie the Blue Ace has been designed for the Aus Open. It’ll cost $8. Protein balls will also be for sale.
AO Live stage
The Australian Open is hosting a concert to raise money for the Red Cross bushfire appeal on Sunday 19 January, a day before the tennis kicks off.
Jessica Mauboy will headline the concert with Montaigne and Lily Papas supporting.
Adult tickets $20 and children $5. Tickets can be bought here.
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Canadian Club Racquet Club at Fed Square
You’ll find this outside of the Australian Open precinct and is another place to watch the tennis on the big screen without heading to Grand Slam Oval.
The pop-up runs from Jan 20 to Feb. 2.
Canadian Club is on drinks, while the George on Collins’s Khahn Ong is behind a Vietnamese-inspired menu including the Porky Love bahn mi ($16) made with crispy pork and pickles.