Ticket prices cut for 2019 Australian Open

MELBOUNRE sports fans have been served an ace as ticket prices to the Australian Open will be slashed next year. See how much cheaper seats will be.

TICKET prices to the Australian Open will be slashed next year in an ace for sports fans flocking to the marvellous Melbourne major event.

The starting price of a seat on centre court will be cut by $15 during the day and $20 at night in a ticket shake-up aimed at making the tennis grand slam event more affordable for families.

Entry-level tickets to the men’s final will be $110 cheaper than this year.

The cost of popular ground passes that provide access to all outdoor courts as well as Melbourne Arena and the AO Live Stage for music will be frozen at $49.

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Fans Emma Weir and Leigh Sherman are thrilled with the cheaper tickets. Picture: Mark Stewart

And more seating choices than ever will be available when they go on sale tomor­row, including the ability to choose which side of the court buyers want to sit on for the first time.

The Herald Sun can reveal the entry-level day ticket for Rod Laver Arena at Australian Open 2019 will be just $62, and night sessions will start at $65, after this year setting fans back $85.

Tennis Australia commercial chief Richard Heaselgrave said there was a push to make the tournament more accessible for tennis fans from Melbourne, Australia and around the world.

“AO 2019 will offer fans an even more affordable entry price point into Rod Laver Arena and will increase the options for all tennis fans,” he said.

“It’s a great thing that the tournament can offer even better value tickets to every match on the incredible Rod Laver Arena, while at the same time empowering fans by giving them more choice.”

Fans Emma Weir and Leigh Sherman are thrilled with the cheaper tickets. Picture: Mark Stewart

The starting price of a men’s final ticket was $415 this year but will now cost $305, and a seat at the women’s final will cost $148, $55 cheaper than in 2018.

Tennis Australia will tomor­row throw the doors to Melbourne Park open for free so Victorians can play on courts used by stars at the Open and get tips from qualified coaches.

A ticket booth will open at 7.30am for fans wanting to score the first seats to January’s event and free court ­access and cardio tennis classes will run until 3pm.

The most expensive ticket next year is a “Super Row’’ seat for the men’s final at $885 — $47 more than it was this year.

Ground passes for the middle weekend of the tournament will remain at $59.

Mr Heaselgrave said it was “the best value sporting ticket in the country”.

“With access to incredible world-class tennis on all the outside courts and Melbourne Arena, along with so many entertainment and food offerings, an Australian Open ground pass is the best-value ticket in town,” he said.

Single-session Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne Arena and ground passes go on sale via ticketek.com.au at 9am ­on Tuesday.

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