Melbourne Park
Melbourne Park is a multi-sport facility situated within the Melbourne Sports Precinct on the edge of the city and is home of the first Tennis Grand Slam of the year - the Australian Open. Located within the expansive venue is multiple venues including Rod Laver Arena, John Cain Arena, Margaret Court Arena, the new 5000-seat Kia Arena (opened in 2022), and Show Court 3 and 1573 Arena which both have a 3000 seating capacity. There are also 12 show courts which have lights and temporary grandstands erected during the Australian Open to host matches.
Also located at Melbourne Park is the National Tennis Centre which features high-performance facilities and indoor tennis practice courts and 13 outdoor practice courts, Tennis HQ and the new CENTREPIECE function centre which was completed in December 2021. Operated by the Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust, the precinct also includes AAMI Park and Olympic Park Oval, featuring the Glasshouse and Holden Centre.
Melbourne Park first opened in 1988 as Flinders Park at a cost of $94 million and at that time, featured just Centre Court (now Rod Laver Arena) and two show courts. The venue has undergone significant upgrades since to become what it is today, including its first expansion in 1995. Over the past 10 years, Melbourne Park has received a major $972 million redevelopment, with the third and final stage completed ahead of the 2022 Australian Open, with the completion of Kia Arena and the CENTREPIECE function centre.
The venue has hosted the Australian Open since its opening in 1988, when the Grand Slam was relocated from the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club. The tournament is held over a two-week period in January. As well as tennis, the precinct hosts a wide range of sports and entertainment events, including basketball, netball, cycling and concerts. The three largest venues at Melbourne Park all feature retractable roofs, allowing events to be played indoors or outdoors. Rod Laver Arena is the largest venue with a capacity of 15,000, while John Cain Arena seats 10,500 and Margaret Court Arena 7,500.
Melbourne Park Details
National Tennis Centre
