Australian Open tickets: how it works

The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam of the year, played in Melbourne during the Australian summer. Nicknamed the 'Happy Slam' for its relaxed, festival-like feel, it’s also one of the more accessible majors if you plan ahead. Here’s how the tickets are structured and how to give yourself the best chance of a seat.

Updated 2026-06-11 · 2 min read

When and where

The Australian Open is usually held in January at Melbourne Park, on the banks of the Yarra River in the centre of Melbourne. It’s the height of summer in the southern hemisphere, so expect heat — sometimes serious heat — alongside the occasional dramatic thunderstorm. The main stadiums have retractable roofs, which keeps play going whatever the weather. For the exact dates in any given year, check the official tournament site, as they move slightly from season to season.

Show courts vs ground passes

As at every Slam, you’re really choosing between two things. A reserved seat on one of the main show courts (the largest arena, the second show court and so on) guarantees you a spot to watch the biggest names. A ground pass, by contrast, gets you into the grounds and the unreserved outside courts, where early-round matches and practice sessions are surprisingly easy to watch up close. Ground passes are the budget-friendly way in and are especially good value in the first week.

Day session vs night session

	Day session	Night session
Atmosphere	Family-friendly, sunny, busy	Louder, electric, floodlit
Typical matches	More matches across more courts	Headline singles on the main court
Best for	Seeing lots of tennis, ground-pass value	Marquee players and big-occasion feel

Sessions are sold separately on the main show courts. A night-session ticket doesn’t cover the day’s play, and vice versa.

How to buy, step by step

Start on the official site

Go to the tournament’s official ticketing page first — it’s the safest source and where general sales and packages are released.

Watch for the on-sale window

Tickets typically go on sale some months before the event. Sign up for alerts so you’re ready when they’re released, as popular sessions sell quickly.

Pick your court and session

Decide between a show-court seat (day or night) and a cheaper ground pass, then choose your day based on which round you want to see.

Check what’s included

Confirm whether your ticket covers reserved seating or general grounds access, and read the resale and re-entry rules before paying.

Good to know before you go

Ground passes let you wander between outside courts — great for first-week tennis and a festival atmosphere.

The main arenas have roofs, so rain or extreme heat rarely stops play on the show courts.

Melbourne Park is an easy walk or short tram ride from the city centre.

Prices and exact dates change every year — always confirm on the official site before booking.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Australian Open held?

It’s usually played in January, at Melbourne Park in Melbourne. Exact dates change each year, so confirm them on the official tournament site.

What surface is the Australian Open played on?

Hard court. It’s one of the two hard-court majors, alongside the US Open.

What’s the difference between a ground pass and a show-court ticket?

A ground pass gets you into the grounds and the unreserved outside courts, which is the cheaper option. A show-court ticket gives you a reserved seat in one of the main arenas for that day or night session.

Are day and night sessions sold separately?

On the main show courts, yes — a day-session ticket and a night-session ticket are separate. Choose based on whether you want to see lots of tennis or the headline evening matches.