Australian Open fans will be split into three strict zones at Melbourne Park in 2021

Tickets to the 2021 Australian Open will dictate the areas you’re allowed to access at Melbourne Park.

The 2020 men's singles final between Dominic Thiem and Novak Djokovic. Picture: AAP

Sport fans will be separated into three strict zones at the Australian Open next year.

For the first time in the history of the tennis Grand Slam, fans will not be allowed to roam freely around the expansive Melbourne Park site.

Each ticket will be allocated to a single zone, which will have its own entrance, separate pathways and access to specific areas of the venue.

Tickets can be purchased in ‘pods’ of up to six people who will be allowed to sit together, socially distanced from other groups.

The tickets - on sale from noon on Wednesday – will be cheaper or frozen at the same price as this year for a stadium seat.

But fans will have to be quick. Just 25 per cent – or about 203,000 of the usual 800,000 plus ticket allowance will be available to fans from Wednesday.

Organisers hope to have between 50 and 75 per cent of normal seats on sale by February, if approved by the state government.

Zone one will limit fans to Rod Laver Arena and most of popular food, drinks and sponsor activation zone Grand Slam Oval.

People with zone two tickets can access Margaret Court Arena, outside courts on the city side of Melbourne Park and Garden Square, where fans sit and watch action on the big screen.

Zone three will admit fans to John Cain Arena, outside courts east of Rod Laver Arena, the practice village where players warm up and a slice of Grand Slam Oval.

Fans will not be allowed to go from one zone to another.

Australian Open and Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley said the event would “be a great celebration for Melbourne and all Victoria after an incredibly tough year’’.

“Although our event will look a little different as we prioritise safety for everyone, it’s going to be a fantastic opportunity to come together and experience many of the best things about Melbourne,’’ he said.

Popular music precinct the AO Live Stage will not go ahead to avoid close physical fan contact.

All entry tickets will be digital, cashless transactions are to apply for food, drinks and retail and QR codes used at check-in points to assist contact tracing.

Starting prices for stadium tickets will be the same or cheaper as 2020, with John Cain Arena from $49 weekdays and $59 weekends and Margaret Court Arena from $56 for day sessions and $60 for nights.

Rod Laver Arena seats will be frozen at this year’s $62 day and $65 night

starting price.

Ground passes will go on sale closer to the event, as capacity numbers are finalised in conjunction with the state government.

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