Australasian Leisure Management
Jan 6, 2024

Melbourne Park ready to welcome tennis fans to 2024 Australian Open

Melbourne Park is set to welcome tennis fans from across Australia and the world for the 2024 Australian Open which is one week away. The main draw will begin on Sunday 14th January in an exciting tournament first, kicking off 15 days of elite tennis action.

In addition to watching the world’s best tennis players compete, fans can enjoy a festival atmosphere featuring live music, the best local cuisine, Children’s activities and a range of fun events.

Tennis Australia Chief Executive Craig Tiley shared “The Australian Open is the biggest sports and entertainment event on the planet in January. We can’t wait to welcome fans from around the world, bringing the city and the precinct alive in a three-week celebration of tennis and entertainment.”

The 2023 Australian Open saw record attendance with more than 893,000 people streaming through the gates and a further 63,120 attending the qualifying matches during Opening Week bringing total attendances to 902,312 across the three weeks. 2024 is set to exceed the record, as Melbourne comes to life again in January.

Carrying on from 2023, Opening Week will serve up a three-week festival of sport and entertainment with qualifying matches leading into the main tournament, while giving fans the opportunity to get up close with their favourite tennis stars.

This year, visitors can enjoy the new double-storey AO Courtside Bar overlooking Court 6, with capacity to welcome over 400 fans.

The Australian Open continues to grow and attract record attendances annually, creating more than 1700 full-time jobs and contributing over $387 million to Victoria’s economy each year.

The Victorian Government’s near $1 billion redevelopment of the Melbourne Park precinct has ensured the long-term success of the event until at least 2046.

With the event secured for decades to come, Victoria is set to continue to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors, providing a welcome boost to local businesses and the state’s visitor economy.

Victorian Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson noted “the city will be buzzing for the Australian Open 2024 with huge crowds set to flock to Melbourne Park, providing a welcome boost for Melbourne’s hotels, restaurants bars and small businesses.”

Image: 2023 Australian Open action at the Rod Laver Arena credit: Dan Leaver 

Australasian Leisure Management Magazine
Subscribe to the Magazine Today

Published since 1997 - Australasian Leisure Management Magazine is your go-to resource for sports, recreation, and tourism. Enjoy exclusive insights, expert analysis, and the latest trends.

Mailed to you six times a year, for an annual subscription from just $99.

New Issue
Australasian Leisure Management
Online Newsletter

Get business and operations news for $12 a month - plus headlines emailed twice a week. Covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism, and venues.