What zone should I buy a ticket for at the Australian Open 2021?
With a new Australian Open ticket strategy we break down the best way to get bang for your buck.
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The Australian Open will look very different in Melbourne this year.
Rod Laver, Margaret Court and John Cain arenas will be in different zones, meaning you won’t be able to visit all three on the same day.
Each zone will be capped at 10,000 people per day — and separated by physical barriers — to ensure Tennis Australia complies with government regulations for contact tracing and crowd management.
HOW DO I DECIDE MY ZONE?
Ground passes have been scrapped for Aus Open 2021, meaning each ticket comes with an assigned arena seat.
Some zones will appeal to different demographics at different times of the tournament, depending on if you want to see the top players, visit the best restaurants and bars or need family-friendly areas for the kids.
— Rod Laver is the place to be for die-hard tennis fans in the final week, as it's the only place to see the finals.
— Margaret Court and John Cain arenas are best to visit in the first couple of days, especially for families, as this is where a real mix of players will be seen.
Below is a list of the latest events, activities, food and drink spaces in each zone, with new additions made daily in the lead up to the tournament.
ROD LAVER ARENA ZONE
COST:
Prices start at $62.
COURT ACCESS:
Rod Laver Arena
BEST FOR:
Tennis lovers: This is the only space to see the tennis finals. It’s also open for the entire tournament.
Foodies: You’ll have access to Middle Eastern favourite Miznon and Adam D’Sylva’s fried chicken. For champagne and wine lovers, the Piper Heidsieck Champagne Bar returns, as does the Penfolds Conservatory. This ticket has the most access to Grand Slam Oval which will be home to most of the restaurant and bars activations.
PROS:
— Access to premium, top-tiered matches of the world’s best tennis players.
— Access to premium dining pods.
— Premium food and drinks options.
— Access to a large portion of Grand Slam Oval.
— The Rod Laver Arena zone will be operating for the entire tournament.
CONS:
— These tickets are among the most expensive.
— Night tickets don’t give you as much time to enjoy food and entertainment outside of the stadium.
ENTRY/EXIT GATES:
Enter via City Entrance, at Tanderrum Bridge, or Grand Slam Oval Entrance at Olympic Boulevard.
FOOD AND DRINK:
There’s plenty of places to grab something to eat at Grand Slam Oval or outside Rod Laver Arena.
Grand Slam Oval:
Dining Pods with Grainshaker cocktails, Miznon, D’Sylva’s Fried Chicken, Royale Brothers, Peroni Aperitivo Bar, Canadian Club Bar, Off The Beaten Track Cafe, Peter’s Ice Cream.
Outside Rod Laver Arena:
The Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Bar, The Atrium (Food by Scott Pickett), Penfold’s Conservatory, Founders Club (food by Scott Pickett).
Inside Rod Laver Arena:
On Court Seats presented by Piper-Heidsieck.
RETAIL:
Kia activation
Australian Open retail outlets.
ENTERTAINMENT:
Live music is on the cards across all zones, with new local artists and household names performing. Details to be announced shortly. Bigger names are tipped to perform on the same dates as landmark events, ie: the women’s or men’s finals.
MARGARET COURT ARENA ZONE
COST:
$56, the cheapest zone.
COURT ACCESS:
Margaret Court Arena, Garden Square, show courts 2 and 3, 1573 Arena and western courts 5 to 15.
BEST FOR:
Tennis fans: Especially during the first two days of the tournament. Margaret Court Arena has more access to outside courts.
Families: Perfect for families with young kids who may want to wander between different courts, instead of trying to keep them confined to one seat all day.
Friends/groups: Garden Square is the place to be. New venue The Commons will serve food and drink at the AO Garden Kitchen.
Piper Heidsieck will also have vibrant cabanas for hire — these are available for up to 10 guests. You will need to book.
PROS:
— Regardless of whether you buy a day or night ticket, you can enter the Margaret Court zone at any time. For instance, you could buy a night ticket but still arrive during the day to watch other tennis games, have dinner, visit on-site bars and then attend your ticketed night match.
— Best value for money tickets.
— Premium food and drinks options to enjoy with friends.
— Access to Garden Square.
CONS:
— No access to Margaret Court beyond 15 February.
— No access to Rod Laver to watch the tennis finals.
ENTRY/EXIT GATES:
Enter via Garden Square Entrance, near MCG gates 1-3.
FOOD AND DRINK:
Grainshaker Vodka Bar, AO Garden Kitchen by The Commons, The Hot Chicken Project, by Igni Geelong’s Aaron Turner, and The Best of the Bellarine (also by Aaron) are included in this ticket.
RETAIL:
Australian Open retail outlets.
ENTERTAINMENT:
Live music is on the cards across all zones, with new local artists and household names performing. Details to be announced shortly. Bigger names are tipped to perform on the same dates as landmark events, ie: the women’s or men’s finals.
JOHN CAIN ARENA ZONE
COST:
$49 in week one.
COURT ACCESS:
John Cain Arena, a section of Grand Slam Oval, Practice Village and courts 16 and 17.
BEST FOR:
Tennis fans: John Cain Arena is Nick Kyrgios’ favourite court, so expect to see some great matches early in the tournament here.
Families: Compared to Rod Laver, John Cain is better suited to families wanting to take the kids.
PROS:
— One of the most affordable tickets in the first week of the tournament.
— Best suited to families.
— Best place to watch decent tennis matches earlier in tournament.
— Best place to see players up close and watch practice matches.
— Access to part of Grand Slam Oval.
— You get a day’s worth of tennis in one ticket. Matches start at 12pm, but you can access the entire zone before and after the matches.
CONS:
— No access to John Cain Arena beyond 15 February.
— No access to Rod Laver to watch the tennis finals.
— Limited access to premium food options, compared to Rod Laver and Margaret Court.
ENTRY/EXIT GATES:
Enter via Practice Village entrance, at Brunton Ave near MCG gate 4-7 or the Richmond entrance, also along Brunton Ave.
FOOD AND DRINK:
Squealing Pig pop up bar, Hiro Sushi and Royale Brothers.
RETAIL:
Australian Open retail outlets.
ENTERTAINMENT:
Live music is on the cards across all zones, with new local artists and household names performing. Details to be announced shortly. Bigger names are tipped to perform on the same dates as landmark events, ie: the women’s or men’s finals.
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