AusLeisure

The Australian Open which gets underway today has seen tennis fans converge on Melbourne Park with the event anticipated to attract hundreds of thousands of people to Melbourne.

Tennis Australia Chief Executive Craig Tiley enthused "with the first day of the main draw underway, we are excited to see the world’s best players hitting the courts for what promises to be another unforgettable tournament."

Last year’s record-breaking crowds at the Australian Open generated more than $533 million in economic benefits for the state, taking the total benefit to Victoria to more than $3.1 billion since 2014.

Last year more than 620,000 hotel nights were booked in Victorian hotels across the tournament – smashing the previous record by nearly 50,000 visitors. In 2024 the average daily visitor spend was also the highest on record, at $308 per person.

Alongside some of the world’s top ranked players, the main draw that begins today will also showcase Australian hopes, allowing fans to cheer on their local heroes.

A calendar of off-court entertainment will run across the entire Australian Open for all ages to enjoy – with live music, great food and drinks, free activities for kids, plus two exciting new additions with The Village and TOPCOURT opening for the first time this year.

The Village gets fans closer to their favourite tennis stars with a new viewing platform between Kia Arena and John Cain Arena, offering unmatched access to players practicing.

TOPCOURT is a world-first immersive experience where tennis, culture, and video gaming collide in the heart of Birrarung Marr – linking the Australian Open and Melbourne’s CBD. It will feature live music and DJs, a Padel Court where fans can play, retail pop-ups and a host of the latest gaming setups.

Victorian Acting Premier Ben Carroll and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos joined Tennis Australia Chief Executive Craig Tiley at Melbourne Park to mark the start of the slam, being held over the next two weeks.

This week the Victorian Government announced that Australian Open ticket holders and staff can travel for free on Route 70a for the whole two weeks. 4,500 extra tram services will run to get people where they need to be.

The Victorian Government has secured the Australian Open in Melbourne until 2046 and invested almost $1 billion in the Melbourne Park Redevelopment – ensuring this iconic international event and world-class precinct can continue to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to Victoria every year.

This year's Australian Open runs from 12th to 26th January at Melbourne Park. For tickets, go to ausopen.com.

Images. Credit: Australian Open/Tennis Australia

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