Australian Open unveils major Melbourne Park seating upgrades

Melbourne Park will receive additional seating and expanded spectator areas for the 2027 Australian Open, including the largest temporary grandstand ever constructed at the precinct.

Tennis Australia announced the changes on Thursday, with a new Court 6 grandstand and a larger Grand Slam Oval among the improvements planned for Melbourne Park next January.

The temporary grandstand will provide approximately 700 additional seats, with Tennis Australia announcing a 17 per cent increase in seating as part of the Court 6 project.

Grand Slam Oval will also be expanded, with more two-storey structures increasing its footprint by 45 per cent and its shade structure tripling in size.

The entertainment and hospitality area will again host player appearances and live performances, while new food and beverage services will include delivery from selected vendors to spectators at the Golden Hour Bar.

The Highline elevated viewing area will return with additional shade and connections to the Courtside Bar. Introduced for the 2026 tournament, the Highline overlooks the western courts and formed part of a move towards more upper-level spectator spaces.

The changes follow a record-breaking 2026 Australian Open, when 1,368,043 attendances were recorded across the three-week event, compared with 1,218,831 in 2025.

Opening Week attracted 217,999 attendances, almost double the previous year’s 116,528. Four main-draw days exceeded 100,000, with the single-day record reaching 103,956 on January 22.

That growth has made crowd movement and spectator comfort an increasing focus at Melbourne Park, particularly around its outdoor courts and popular hospitality areas.

Alongside the additional seating, Tennis Australia says ground-pass numbers may be capped on high-demand days, based on anticipated attendance and movement through the precinct.

The policy means increased viewing capacity will be accompanied by controls on ticket sales during the busiest periods.

The latest temporary facilities build on substantial investment in Melbourne Park’s permanent venues. The final stage of its $972 million redevelopment was completed ahead of the 2022 Australian Open, delivering the 5,000-seat Kia Arena and CENTREPIECE function centre.

A further $20 million upgrade announced ahead of the 2025 tournament included outside-court shade structures, improved player treatment areas and works to John Cain Arena’s retractable roof and seating bowl.

Rod Laver Arena also received refurbished hospitality suites and a telescopic awning over its Upper Deck bar and restaurant.

The 2027 Australian Open’s tennis and entertainment program will run from January 11 to 31, with the entire precinct opening from the first day of Opening Week.

Qualifying, open practice sessions at Rod Laver Arena and separately ticketed charity matches will feature during Opening Week, alongside the returning million-dollar AO 1 Point Slam on January 13.