Safety measures introduced by Ticketmaster and Australian Open ensured a successful event

June 10, 2021

To keep the Australian Open tournament COVIDSafe, the Australian Open and Ticketmaster introduced various measures to ensure fan and tennis player safety.

Notwithstanding having no crowds for days six through to ten of the grand slam event due to a COVID-19 snap lockdown, the Australian Open which took place in February has been deemed a success.

100,000 fans were able to attend the tournament and Ticketmaster’s innovative products helped to make sure everything was executed efficiently and in line with COVIDSafe protocols.

Measures included dividing the venues into three zones to aid social distancing, ‘fan pods’ to allow groups of up to six fans to sit together, and nearly 100% digital tickets. Digital tickets meant that organisers of the event were able to connect with all fans regarding contract tracing. 96.4% of tickets across the 2021 Australian Open were scanned on a mobile device.

Regarding ticket sales, Ticketmaster detailed a thorough communication plan for customers on the COVID-19 safety measures at the Australian Open, including SMS and emails to keep fans notified of changes as they occurred.

Rob Pickering, Director Ticketing and Travel Tennis Australia thanked Ticketmaster “for the great spirit in the way you and your teams are working with ours on how AO21 and the summer of tennis are delivered. It’s certainly testament to our much-valued long-term partnership.”

Ticketmaster’s real-time event day dashboard, TM1 entry, was used to monitor access into the precinct to control crowd numbers and social distancing – which was a large part of delivering a COVIDSafe event.

Staff were on hand to monitor fan congestion and make sure COVIDSafe measures were followed throughout the Melbourne Park precinct. For AO 2021, no ground passes were available, so all tickets had an allocated seat in a stadium and were limited to certain zones to limit movement.

The event was originally meant to take place in late January but was pushed back to February due to the pandemic.

Image Credit: Tennis Australia/ David Mariuz

23rd February 2021 - Reduced crowd numbers sees Australian Open anticipating $99 million loss

17th February 2021 - Fans to return to Australian Open and indoor fitness and sport to resume as Victoria lifts Coronavirus lockdown

15th February 2021 - Australian Open generates most positive ‘buzz’ among sporting events and competitions

12th February 2021 - Australian Open to continue without crowds as Victorian Government closes facilities during new lockdown

12th February 2021 - Infosys enhances the digital experience for Australian Open virtual audience

8th February 2021 - COVIDSafe measures in place across Melbourne Park precinct for Australian Open

8th February 2021 - Kia marks 20 years of Australian Open sponsorship with first of its kind experience for tennis fans

5th February 2021 - Australian Open warm-up events recommence after player Coronavirus tests return negatives

4th February 2021 - Australian Open lead-up events impacted after quarantine hotel worker tests positive for COVID-19

30th January 2021 - Victorian Government approves crowd limit of 30,000 per day for Australian Open

29th January 2021 - Australian Open tennis players start leaving hotel quarantine

21st January 2021 - Tennis Australia commits to Australian Open and paying for players’ hotel quarantine

15th January 2021 - NSW restrictions sees 2021 Australian Open Water Swimming Championships move to Queensland

12th January 2021 - Australian Open players and officials to face world’s ‘strictest rules for tennis’

8th January 2021 - 30,000 children to get a taste of Australian Open as part of new school holiday program

7th January 2021 - Melbourne Park to be divided into three zones to ensure fan safety at Australian Open

23rd December 2020 - Melbourne Park’s three main venues to operate with at least 25% capacity for Australian Open

19th December 2020 - Victorian Government confirms Australian Open’s February dates and future at Melbourne Park

17th December 2020 - ATP reveals 2021 schedule with Australian Open to start on 8th February

2nd December 2020 - Australian Open to be moved back to February to allow player quarantine period

4th October 2020 - Australian Open looks for 2021 event to run at half capacity

13th August 2020 - Tennis Australia’s Craig Tiley anticipates 2021 Australian Open will go ahead with fans in Melbourne

3rd July 2020 - Tennis Australia commits to staging 2021 Australian Open in Melbourne

4th February 2020 - Australian Open 2020 welcomes largest ever tournament crowds

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.