How to get to the Australian Open, what’s on, where to eat and what you can do and see
Hoping to head to the Australian Open for some summer sporting fun? Here’s your guide to costs, transport and what you can do and see.
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Keen to be part of the action at Melbourne’s premier sporting event, the Australian Open? We have you covered. From getting to the event, where to park, what’s on (the court and otherwise), where to eat, drink, enjoy activities and party, to the Covid protocols you’ll have to follow - this is your comprehensive guide to the biggest show in town.
TRANSPORT TO THE AO
Travelling by car
Yarra Park Car Park (MCG), via Gates 3, 5, and 6. Parking is $10 per day. Please check the MCG website for opening times and further information.
Parking is also available in and around the Melbourne CBD. For location details please contact City of Melbourne on 9658 9658 or visit melbourne.vic.gov.au/parking.
Travelling by tram
Australian Open ticket holders can take a free tram on Route 70 from the CBD to Rod Laver Arena.
Ride share
Located outside John Cain Arena along Olympic Boulevard and at the back of Federation Square along the Russell Street extension.
Taxi
Taxi rank is located on the north side of Olympic Boulevard, adjacent to Grand Slam Oval. Patrons exiting via City Entrance (Birrarung Marr) can utilise the taxi rank located at Flinders Street Station.
Travelling by Train
Take services to Richmond, Flinders Street or Jolimont Stations, all within walking distance to Melbourne Park. Last train services depart Flinders Street Station at approximately midnight during the week. The night network will operate on weekends, with trains departing hourly all night from Flinders Street Station.
Accessibility parking
All entrances are accessibility friendly. Accessibility parking is available at National Tennis Centre. Book through Ticketmaster 1300 308 999 or accessibletickets@ticketmaster.com.au.
Accessibility pick-up and drop-off zone
An accessibility pick-up and drop-off zone is available on Olympic Boulevard outside the Grand Slam Oval entrance.
Australian Open 2022: Download your tennis draw poster here
AO TICKETING
Fan favourite, the ground pass, is back after a year off.
Ground passes are available from $29.
For the first time all of John Cain Arena is open to ground pass holders, as is the entire new 5000 seat Kia Arena.
From Monday January 17 tickets to Rod Laver Arena and Rod Laver Arena reserved seats are available from $59.
For all ticketing information for the two weeks of the AO and to purchase tickets go to www.ticketmaster.com/ausopen.
*Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena will be capped at 50 per cent after government regulations were announced this week
AO ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND COVID-SAFE PROTOCOLS
In line with the latest government guidelines, all patrons aged 12 years 2 months or older must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have a valid medical exemption.
On arrival, patrons over the age of 18 will be asked to check in using the Service Victoria app and show AO staff their Covid-19 digital certificate.
No Smartphone or paper certificate? Head directly to our information point located at the entry. Masks are required at all times on site except for eating and drinking.
AO BALLPARK
The AO Ballpark presented by Emirates is back after a year off.
For $5 entry, kids get access to more than 5000 square metres of fun activities, as well as the ANZ Hot Shots area and AO Ballpark live stage.
Entrance to the AO Ballpark is located at the Richmond train station end of Melbourne Park.
GRAND SLAM OVAL
Celebrating Melbourne’s laneways, GSO is back bigger than ever.
Pop up music gigs, art installations and a new Padel tennis court will be on display for fans.
The food on GSO is inspired by city restaurants that include:
Marameo
Gradi
Pepe’s Italian and Liquor
Oriental Teahouse
David’s, Termila
Stalactites
Nico’s Sandwich Deli
Longrain
Lucy Liu
Gingerboy
Robata
Laneway Burgers
AO SPECIAL DAYS
For the first time, the AO is running two special days:
Wednesday Jan 19: First Nations Day
Monday Jan 24: AO Pride Day celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
AO MUSIC PERFORMANCES
Rod Laver arena
Monday January 17 – Opening Night – Isaiah Firebrace - Together Again
Wednesday January 19 - First Nations Night – Baker Boy
Monday January 24 – Pride Night – Jack Vidgen - You Will be Found
Wednesday January 26 – Australia Day Anthem – Rob Mills and Annie Jones
Thursday January 27 – Women’s Semi-Final – Kate Ceberano - This Girl is on Fire
Friday January 28 – Men’s semi final – Josh Piterman - Phantom of the Opera
Saturday January 29 – Women’s final night – Frances Madden - She will Rise
Jemma Rix – National anthem
Sunday January 30 – Men’s final night – The cast of the Wedding Singer.
Rob Mills – National anthem
AO BEACH HOUSE
For the first time, the northern part of Melbourne Park has been transformed into the AO Beach House. Inspired by Bayside Melbourne, the sand filled feature will be a place to relax and be seen during AO22. It will feature a number of activations including by Bondi Sands and food and hospitality including:
Fish Bowl
Grainshaker Australian Vodka Bar
Peroni Bar
Pipi’s Kiosk
Piper-Heidsieck Cabanas
Oakberry
PREMIUM EXPERIENCE RESTAURANTS
Maha restaurant superboxes - Rod Laver Arena, Level 4
Rockpool - Centrepiece, Level 1
Penfolds bistro - Centrepiece, Level 2
Penfolds restaurant - Centrepiece, Level 2
Atrium Eatery & Bar by Ben Shewry - AO River Terrace
Glasshouse Dininf by Guy Grossi - Glasshouse
AO HILLTOP
The Canadian Club Racquet Club is the main feature on the AO Hilltop which is situated in Birrarung Marr on the Flinders St side of the Melbourne Park precinct.
AO SHOPPING
The Australian Open merchandise collection this year is made out of organic cotton and items can be bought all over Melbourne Park. As well as the AO Shop, Ralph Lauren, Bamboozld, Quay Sunglasses, New Era caps, Memebottle, Adidas, Chemist Warehouse and Crosscourt Creative all have shops around the precinct.
AUSTRALIAN TOP RANKED PLAYERS
Women
No.1 Ash Barty
No.45 Alja Tomljanovic
No.98 Astra Sharma
No.132 Storm Standers
No.141 Maddison Inglis
Men
No.34 Alex de Minaur
No.49 James Duckworth
No.61 Alexei Popyrin
No.72 John Millman
No.75 Jordan Thompson
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