Australian Open 2021: Ground pass ticket scrapped due to COVID threat

The popular ground pass ticket at the Australian Open has been cut from the 2021 tournament in a move that is sure to upset tennis fans.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 17: Australian fans cheer on John Millman of Australia in his second round match against Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzogovina on day three of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The popular Australian Open ground pass ticket won’t be available this year.

With tournament organisers dividing Melbourne Park into three zones to help counter the COVID-19 threat, they will replace groundpasses with access to Nick Kyrgios’ favourite court, John Cain Arena.

Fans won’t be able to move between the zones on the same day as part of the Open’s COVIDSafe plan, which includes tickets being sold in family ‘pods’ of between one to six people.

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John Cain Arena, formerly known as Melbourne Arena. Picture: AAP

“John Cain Arena has hosted some enthralling battles over the years and is a favourite destination for both fans and players,” tournament director Craig Tiley said.

“As part of our planning to ensure safety for everyone, all fans will require a ticket, which includes a stadium seat in one of the three zones … (and) access to great food, music and other activations within their specific zone.

“We’ve worked hard to ensure the AO is still as accessible as possible, and by providing access to JCA and the JCA zone for ground pass prices is a bonus for fans.”

Tickets for the JCA zone (formerly Melbourne Arena) will start at $49 for weekdays, $59 for weekends and $39 for children and concession card-holders.

Tennis Australia’s efforts to physically distance fans in the stands are also extending to how they plan to bring international players into the country for the event, which starts on February 8.

Tiley revealed the tournament will use up to 18 planes, each at 20 per cent capacity, to bring international players to Australia as safely as possible.

All players must enter quarantine in Melbourne by January 16.

“There have been some unavoidable delays finalising flight details for players and I’d like to take this opportunity to provide an update,” Tiley said in the update.

“There are a lot of pieces to this logistical puzzle and the last few are being finalised right now.”

Originally published as Australian Open 2021: Ground pass ticket scrapped due to COVID threat