The Australian Open is now spread over three weeks. AO 2025 is the biggest and best it’s ever been. The Happy Slam, as the players call it, welcomed over one million fans in 2024. Opening week is our chance to step inside Melbourne Park, look around and suss out our favourite places on and off the courts.
I compare a day or night at the Aus Open tennis to a trip to Disneyland; sure, you can head on in without much of a plan, and you will forever relish the atmosphere of Melbourne Park. However, it’s so big that without a plan, you will surely miss out. Here’s your guide to what to see, do, and love at this year’s event.
Won’t you wander with me, and I’ll show you around?
What to See, Do, and Love at the Australian Open Tennis 2025
The Australian Open is more than just a tennis tournament—it’s a celebration of sport, culture, and entertainment set against the vibrant backdrop of Melbourne. Whether you’re a lifelong tennis fan or a first-time attendee, the 2025 Australian Open promises excitement on and off the court.
1. Watch World-Class Tennis
- Main Draw Matches: Watch the world’s best players compete for glory, from first-round clashes to the finals at Rod Laver Arena.
Practice Courts: Get up close to your favourite stars as they warm up for their matches.
- Qualifying Tournament: Catch in action rising stars and future champions without the big crowds, as well as returning stars on the comeback trail. For all the details on the Qualifying Tournament in Opening Week, which is, in my view, still a hidden secret, check out www.littlewanderingwren.com/why-you-will-love-the-Australian-Open-Tennis-Qualifying-Tournament.
2. Explore Melbourne Park’s Fan Experiences
- Grand Slam Oval: a fan favourite for pop-up bars and eateries, watch the action on a large screen. This year, you can choose from Squealing Pig Wines, The House of Peroni, Aperol Terrace, Red Bull Rally Station, Canadian Club and more.
- Garden Square: Enjoy live music, deckchairs, big screens, and the iconic AO letters for photo ops. New this year is the interactive M&M pop-up store outside Court 3.
- TopCourt’s new interactive fan experience 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.“
3. Savor the Food and Drinks
- Gourmet Dining: Melbourne’s top chefs and restaurants bring their best to the AO. From fine dining to food trucks, there’s something for everyone.
- Refreshing Beverages: Sip on signature cocktails, local Swines, and craft beers while soaking up the summer vibes.
4. Immerse Yourself in Melbourne’s Culture
- Art Installations: Capture colourful and creative backdrops unique to the AO.
- Live Performances: Enjoy daily concerts and roving entertainment from local and international artists.
- Family: The AO is great for kids; besides watching tennis, you’ll find interactive games and activities. Check out the new Top Court area.
- TopCourt: offers a fresh fan experience at the tennis with cutting-edge immersive gaming, play zones, live music and DJs on the decks, plus the hottest trends in fashion and beauty.
5. Shop for Souvenirs
- AO Merchandise: Take home exclusive 2025 Australian Open apparel and memorabilia.
- Player Gear: Pick up tennis essentials and gear inspired by the pros.
6. Tips for Making the Most of Your Day
- Plan Ahead: Book tickets for your favourite matches and check the schedule for special events.
- Stay Sun-Smart: Bring sunscreen (or collect free giveaways at booths across Melbourne Park or top up at the Bondi Sands deckchairs and sunscreen area in Grand Stand Oval), a hat, and a reusable water bottle. Check out our court directory below and shade.
- Explore Beyond the Courts: Melbourne’s cafes, laneways, and attractions are just a tram ride away.
7. Love the Atmosphere
What makes the Australian Open truly special is its vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. It’s the Grand Slam of the Asia-Pacific, where fans worldwide come together to celebrate their love for tennis. You really won’t be out of place if you dress up in colours to support your home nation, or to wear a hat with tennis balls on it!
The crowd’s energy, the thrill of the matches, and the unbeatable Melbourne summer vibes make this event unforgettable.
8. What to pack for a great day at the Tennis
We have written extensively on what to pack for the Australian Open here.
9. My pick for the best AO Instagram places
I have really enjoyed wandering Melbourne Park and trying to work out what will be amongst the most popular photos shared in 2025. You can find the following
- Big tennis ball – inside AO Shop outside Margaret Court Arena
- The Ralph Lauren tennis racquet is behind Ralph Lauren’s pop-up store at Rod Laver Arena.
- Rod Laver statue at Yarra River end of Rod Laver Arena
- Rod Laver Arena sofa at Garden Square exit of Rod Laver Arena
- Roving tennis balls across the site
- AO Champions scoreboard between Rod Laver Arena and Garden Square
- AO Big Screen in Grand Slam Oval
8. Spectators in AO main store in Centrespace (see photo below)
9. Any of the bars in Grand Slam Oval
10 Large AO sign outside Rod Laver Arena on way to Garden Square
11. AO Hits Different sign overlooking Grandstand Arena.
10. Rainy days at the AO
If it’s rainy, play will continue on the three covered courts. Otherwise, head for indoor areas and even have a coffee there in the inside area outside the court entrances at Rod Laver, Margaret Court & John Cain Arena. There is some access for Ground Pass ticket holders by queuing up at the entrance facing Kia Arena and obtaining a wristband.
The following indoor attractions are popular on rainy days: M&M World, Google Pixel, Grey Goose courtside bar at Court 6 then at TopCourt Zone you’ll find Mecca, and the Game On area and more.
Courtside Australian Open 2025
The three courtside arenas are ticketed. You can buy tickets via Ticketmaster, and a Ground Pass entry allows access to all other courts.
Ticketed Courts
Rod Laver Arena – Retractable, covered roof, top seeds and top Australian Interest play here.
Margaret Court Arena – Retractable, covered roof; some say the best matches are played here during week one.
John Cain Arena – Retractable, covered roof, known as the people’s arena, a livelier atmosphere; this is where Nick Kyrious loves to play amongst his peeps! Seats are available on the day for those with a ground pass and those who obtain an arena pass. I queued up at 4.45 to enter the night matches on John Cain for easy access with a wristband and great seats.
Join the virtual queue by scanning the QR code displayed at John Cain Arena. Select the number of people in your group (up to 4), and you’ll receive a text message when Arena Passes are available. After that, you’ll have 10 minutes to claim your passes. Read more here
Kia Arena – I love this open-air arena; sit on the side nearest the train tracks for the early morning shade.
Free to enter with a ground pass admission ticket:
Court 3 – Another excellent arena where we have watched some of the toughest battles over the years!
1573 Arena You will find shade cover if sitting at the top of the grandstand.
Court 5 shaded covered seating on one side only
Court 6 Grandstand seating and covered viewing also from the adjacent Grey Goose Courtside Bar pavilion.
Court 7 Stadium covered seating on both sides.
Court 8 Seating one side only.
There is no Court 9
Courts 10 & 11 There is seating on one side and no covered seating.
Court 12 & 13: You can find seating on both sides.
Court 14 Seating both sides of the court. Covered seating is extensive on the far city side of the court.
Court 15 was found behind Court 14 at the far end of Rod Laver Arena, with Stadium seating on one side of the court with one row of seats on the opposite side.
Courts 16 & 17 are found beside Kia Arena and are often used for practice matches.
Spectator Etiquette at Australian Open 2025
When did spectator etiquette fly out the window? In my opinion, it wasn’t helped by the ruling in Rod Laver Arena that people did not need to wait until the end of the play to enter or exit the arena for food or drink if seated on the upper levels – surely a commercial decision? Haha, maybe I’m just being too Wimbledon for the AO crowds. Fans are certainly more relaxed here.
So I’m probably preaching to the converted here, but late arrivals disrupt players and fellow spectators on the smaller courts. So, is there any chance we can wait for a changeover to enter?
- Show appreciation for great play from both sides—sportsmanship is key. While I understand cheering for a local hero, I do not understand booing or disrupting the opponent.
Game, Set, Love!
The Australian Open is always an incredible experience. From world-class tennis to unforgettable fan experiences, there’s so much to see, do, and love. Whether you’re cheering courtside or exploring Melbourne Park, this year’s tournament is not to be missed. We hope this guide gives you ideas for what to see, do and love at the Australian Open 2025.
Please pin, save and share with your friends attending AO25.
Little Wandering Wren completed her Fan Slam in 2023, attending all four Grand Slams across the globe. You might also enjoy the following further tennis reading:
The Wimbledon Championships and how to be part of it in 2025
How to enjoy ace days at Roland Garros
Hello – Crazy Tennis Mum here!
7 comments
It is an exciting event! Sounds like there will be lots to do! Enjoy !
Take care, have a wonderful week ahead.
Hello Eileen, the Aus open is so exciting with lots of drama, we loving watching all the play and there is so much to see and do away from the courts too!
Have a wonderful week ahead!
Wren x
I’m sure there will be some great tennis!
Enjoy the tournament 🙂
All the best Jan
Yes, the tennis has already been great and we are happy to see Andy Murray returning as Novak Djokovic’s coach!
I always love the Aus Open Jan, thank you for stopping by!
Wren x
Thank you for sharing this. We love to see Tennis in TV.
I see you’re a big tennis fan 😊 I’m not a tennis person… I don’t like big sports competitions at all, neither ski races nor football matches nor Formula 1 nor the Olympic Games or whatever there is. All of that can take place without me. As a young girl, I crossed my fingers for the Swedish (! not Austrian!) ski racer Ingemar Stenmark, he was my big idol. Because he was a great skier, the greatest of this time, because he was handsome and a bit shy, and because I liked the fact that he didn’t let himself be bought by big advertising companies. He stayed with the small ski company Elan all those years, which was the only one that wanted to sponsor him when he was still a “nobody”. (In general, it annoys me how much sport has become an advertising event, companies are presenting themselves everywhere, all athletes have company names on them and it is often very unpleasant companies that sponsor sport, like the number one polluter Red B*ll.) Since Stenmark stopped racing, I have not been interested in these sporting events either (although I like skiing myself), and I know that I hated football on TV even as a child because the presenters got so upset and my father was always shouting at the TV 😂
But: I liked Melbourne 🥰!
Anyway – I hope you have fun!
All the best from Austria, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2025/01/september-wochenende-in-der-wachau.html
Hello Traude – Yes we are big sports fans and Melbourne is always excellent for sports, we’ve already had international cricket, now the tennis and next the Grand Prix! We’ve also been to the Olympics, World Cup Football in Russia, World Cup Rugby in Japan and two years ago I completed my fan slam of all the Tennis Grand Slams in Australia, France, UK and UK… We have been a massive football family and I see sport as a good way of bring people together and I love seeing people cheer for their own country (although the Aussie fans have been rather over the top this week!) Our love of tennis has come from opening our home to tennis players competing at Melbourne Park for nearly 20 years it has been a fascinating insight into the world of Women’s Pro tennis. I’m smiling at the thought of you cheering Ingemar Stenmark on, I’ve always been rubbish at Skiing!
I’m sending you much love from Melbourne, I glad you liked our city!
Have a great day!
Wren x