The Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament is one of the best things to do in Melbourne in the summer school holidays, even if you’re not a sports fan. The tournament is increasingly expanding its offering beyond tennis, with music, food, activities and more all adding to the sporting experience.
This year’s Australian Open (Monday 12 January – Sunday 1 February 2026) features lots of family-friendly activities so I’m excited to take my kids along!
Here are our top tips for visiting the Australian Open 2026 with kids.
When is the Australian Open 2026?
Australian Open 2026 is on from Monday 12 January to Sunday 1 February 2026.
Opening Week is for the qualifying matches and runs from Monday 12 January to Saturday 17 January 2026. The main draw and competition matches start on Sunday 18 January 2026 after the opening ceremony on Saturday 17 January 2026 opening the main tournament.
Kids Tennis Day in 2026 is confirmed to be on Saturday 17 January, with lots of activities, live entertainment and family hubs across the precinct.
The women’s and men’s single finals are on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February 2026.
Best Australian Open Tickets to Buy
The best value ticket for the Australian Open is the Ground Pass, starting at $20 for adults for Opening week (and kids free), and $59 for week 1 of the main competition. A Ground Pass gives you access to Melbourne Park, practice courts, outside courts, food precincts, music stages and big screens.
With a Ground Pass kids 3-11 years can visit the Australian Open for free on some days, and just $10-$15 on weekdays of the tournament. You’ll still have to pay for your adult ground pass, but the combined cost offers a full day of tennis-related fun.
Even if your child is not a tennis fan there are plenty of activities along Birrarung Marr and within Melbourne Park to keep everyone entertained all day.
You can buy your Ground Passes online or at the gate (though I recommend pre-booking to avoid disappointment).
If you’re looking for guaranteed seats, you’ll need to buy Australian Open arena tickets. Rod Laver Arena is Australian Open’s Centre Court and hosts the biggest matches. Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena are the other two, smaller arenas.
For arena tickets, children aged 3-11 (which includes 11-year-olds who have not yet reached their 12th birthday) as of the date a ticket is presented for entry may purchase a Kids Ticket. Youth Tickets are discounted for ages 12 – 17 years.
What is the Australian Open Opening Week?
While the tournament has always had qualifying matches, this is the first year that the Opening Week has been heavily promoted and the AO Precinct has been open before the main competition.
So while the Australian Open 2026 dates are officially 12 January 2026 to 1 February 2026, the actual competition doesn’t actually start at Sunday 18 January. Don’t get confused!
Opening Week is when fans can catch Australian Open qualifying matches, visit open practice sessions, charity and exhibition matches and Kids Tennis Day.
It’s the most affordable way to experience the AO Precinct, and should offer small crowds than the main draw (although so far the visitor numbers have been record-breaking every day!).
John Cain Arena Virtual Arena Pass
Separate Arena Passes are issued for Day and Night JCA sessions. Note that you have to leave the the arena at the end of the Day Session. A new Arena Pass system allows fans to scan a QR code and wait for an alert about available seats.
Australian Open entrances
All three entrances to the Australian Open are accessible:
- Garden Square Entrance is recommended for access to Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena;
- Grand Slam Oval Entrance is recommended for access to John Cain Arena and the numerous food and beverage outlets at Grand Slam Oval; and
- City Entrance is recommended for access to AO Ballpark at Birrarung Marr.
In 2026 there is no direct access to the precinct via stop 7C MCG 4-7/John Cain Arena as Practice Village Entrance is not open. That means the closest entry point to John Cain Arena is the Grand Slam Oval Entrance. Richmond Entrance will not operate for AO26.
How to get to the Australian Open
There is very little parking around Melbourne Park, so the best option is to take public transport, ride a bike or take an Uber if your kids don’t require a car seat.
Getting to the Australian Open by Tram
Travelling to City Entrance
If you’re heading to the City Entrance for AO Ballpark (the kids zone) walk down to Birrarung Marr via Flinders Street or Batman Avenue.
You can also take the Route 70/70a trams to Stop 7A William Barak Bridge, then walk back to the City Entrance.
Travelling to Garden Square Entrance
If you’re heading to the Garden Square Entrance for Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena your best options are to take the Route 70/70a trams to Stop 7B Rod Laver Arena/MCG gates 1-3.
There is no direct access to the precinct via stop 7C MCG 4-7/John Cain Arena in 2025. The closest entry point to John Cain Arena is the Grand Slam Oval Entrance.
Getting to the Australian Open by Train
Travelling to the City Entrance
Catch a train to Flinders Street Station, then walk through Birrarung Marr to the City Entrance.
Travelling to Garden Square Entrance
Catch trains to Flinders Street Station, Jolimont Station or Richmond Station and then walk or take a tram Route 70/70a or Route 75 to Garden Square Entrance.
Australian Open Parking
If you must drive to the Australian Open, then your options are:
NATIONAL TENNIS CENTRE (ON-SITE)
Parking can be pre-purchased as an upgrade at the time of booking your tickets.
YARRA PARK (OFF-SITE)
Public parking in Yarra Park is available for $10, payable by EFTPOS only.
Car parking in Yarra Park is subject to capacity, so you’ll need to arrive early to secure your parking.
For more information and alternative parking options, please visit the MCG website.
CBD CARPARKS (OFF-SITE)
Pre-booking parking in the CBD eg Wilson Parking at Flinders Lane or Exhibition St, and then taking a tram or walking to the location, may be quicker and easier than trying to park closer to the precinct.
Australian Open by Uber or Taxi
There are designated Uber pickup and dropoff points outside John Cain Arena along Olympic Boulevard, and further along Olympic Boulevard near tram stop 7D. With high demand, you can expect high surge pricing as well.
A taxi rank is located on Olympic Boulevard, adjacent to Grand Slam Oval.
Australian Open by Bike
In previous years, we have opted to cycle to Melbourne Park and there is bike parking along Olympic Boulevard. The ride along the Yarra River to Melbourne Park is lovely and we avoid all the whining associated with walking in the heat!
Bicycle parking facilities are provided at the underpass intersection of the William Barak Bridge and Entrance A, and the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Batman Avenue.
Australian Open AO Ballpark
From Monday 12 January to Monday 26 January, the AO Ballpark presented by Emirates offers a dedicated entertainment and activity area just for kids and families located at Birrarung Marr.
Pro tip: Get to the AO Ballpark as early as possible to beat the heat and the crowds. The AO Ballpark is geared towards kids 5+ years and is open from 10 AM to 7 PM, with variable closing times depending later in the tournament.
AO Ballpark Activities
In 2026 the AO Ballpark features a variety of activities including the thrilling waterslide, mini tennis courts, and character meet-and-greets.
Little kids will particularly enjoy the water play area (in previous years designated for kids 6 years and under), the LEGO tables and watching shows on the main stage.
Kids of all ages (who can wield a tennis racket) can also participate in most of the Tennis Hot Shots activities, which are all drop-in.
AO Ballpark Food
There are normally only a few food options at the AO Ballpark but plenty of seating and picnic tables, so I recommend BYO food if you want more choices.
This year there are new food pop-ups including Shake Shack making its Australian debut.
Be aware of age and height restrictions at AO Ballpark
AO Ballpark has lots of cool activities inside, but don’t promise the kids anything unless you know that they’ll meet age and height restrictions.
For instance, in previous years the aerial adventure required children to be 120cm+, while the waterslide was suggested for kids 5+ years.
Check the official AO Ballpark layout and activity requirements on the Australian Open website as age/height guidelines may vary in 2026.
Bring bathers and closed-toed shoes to AO Ballpark
If you want to do the aerial obstacle course or the quick jump at AO Ballpark you will need to wear closed-toed shoes. I don’t think of putting anyone in closed-toed shoes in 38-degree heat so Lady AB is very annoyed when she is not allowed to go on the course in her sandals!
If you think you’re going to visit the water play then bring bathers and a towel – there are handy changerooms nearby. We take our trusty Tesalate super-absorbent travel towels!
Changing rooms are conveniently located near the AO Ballpark, while prams and strollers can be parked in designated areas.
There are two parents rooms in the Australian Open precinct – once inside AO Ballpark and one inside John Cain Arena.
Kids Tennis Day 2026
Kids Tennis Day presented by Emirates is on Saturday 17 January 2026.
This exciting event promises a day filled with performances, character appearances, and thrilling activities designed for the whole family. Experience the Arena Spectacular featuring acrobatics and favorite tennis players, or explore the Grand Slam Oval for non-stop entertainment with beloved characters.
Kids can also participate in Hot Shots Tennis sessions, and families can enjoy the vibrant Garden Square with face painting and games. Don’t miss the chance to collect stamps for a chance to win tickets to the Women’s Semi Finals!
AO Live Entertainment (2026)
The Australian Open isn’t just about tennis. AO Live brings live music and entertainment to the precinct, with concerts held at John Cain Arena on select nights throughout the tournament.
The lineup typically features a mix of Australian and international artists, making it a fun option for parents, older kids and teens once the day matches wrap up. Some shows are included with certain tickets, while others require a separate AO Live concert ticket.
Even if you’re not heading into the arena, you’ll still feel the buzz around Melbourne Park, with pop-up performances and a lively festival atmosphere across the precinct.
Tip for families: Evening concerts can run late, so they’re best suited to older kids or teens who can handle a big day (and night) out.
What to eat at the Australian Open AO Precinct
BYO Snacks
There are loads of trendy food options touted at the Australian Open but options are more limited within the AO Ballpark.
The main food/hospitality area is at Grand Slam Oval inside Melbourne Park, which is at the other end of the precinct and quite a hike from the AO Ballpark, especially in the heat.
We recommend bringing at least some snacks – you can bring in most food items, just not glassware and alcohol.
BYO Water (with Exclusive AO Waterdrop Bottles)
Keep everyone hydrated by regularly filling up at water stations with a refillable water bottle – just look out for the signs saying ‘Water Station’.
The Australian Open Fan Shops also sell souvenir Waterdrop AO26 water bottles if you forget to bring your own.
Designed with durability and functionality in mind, the exclusive AO water bottles are perfect for keeping you hydrated both on and off the court.
Visit Grand Slam Oval for more eating options
If eating well at the Australian Open is your priority then head to the Grand Slam Oval.
What is handy at the Grand Slam Oval is that you can order food from the QR codes on every table, and then go and pick it up from the food stand when you receive an SMS notification.
Pro tip: it pays to make your way to the food vendor quickly after you place your order (ie before you get the SMS notification) so that 1. you know where it is and are not circling Grand Slam Oval trying to find it (while hungry) and 2. sometimes the stalls are so busy with orders from customers who have lined up that they forget or de-prioritise the online orders. So if you’ve been waiting a while for your online order and haven’t received an SMS notification then just ask at the counter as to your order’s status. I had this experience and they gave me my order on the spot.
Note that AO26 will be entirely cashless, so be prepared.
Try the Peach Melbourne
A hot day at the Australian Open means the perfect opportunity for ice cream!
Chill out with the Australian Open‘s signature dessert, a riff on the Peach Melba called Peach Melbourne. It’s creamy vanilla soft-serve ice cream drizzled with peach syrup and topped with crushed freeze-dried raspberries.
Maybe it’ll be as iconic as strawberries and cream at Wimbledon one day!
Australian Open Accessibility
There is a lot of information about accessibility on the Australian Open website – here is just some of the key information.
If you need support for a non-visible or hidden disability, look for the sunflower badges worn by the AO Customer Experience Team.
Accessible seating
There are three ways to purchase accessible seating:
- Ticketmaster website – Wheelchair and accompanying seats (either as paid tickets or with a Companion Card) can be purchased via the Ticketmaster website. On the seat selection page, use the ‘View only Accessible Tickets’ toggle or the ‘Ticket type’ filter to view available accessibility seating options.
- Ticketmaster phone line 1300 446 925, Monday – Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm (AEDT).
- Submit an Accessibility form online.
Companion Cards are accepted. All companion ticketholders must show their valid Companion Card for gate entry verification.
Accessibility map
Download the Accessibility Map which shows the location of accessible and All Gender toilets, Changing Place facilities, Travellers Aid assistance, Service Animals relief area and more.
Australian Open Sensory Rooms
If the people and the heat get too overwhelming there are two small Sensory Rooms that you can visit in the AO Ballpark and and in John Cain Arena. The rooms are quiet, with calming colours, bean bags and gentle games.
There is also a Quiet Room near Court 3.
I carry my noise-cancelling Apple Airpods, over-the-ear Bose headphones and Loop earplugs with me so that kids can have a rest from the noisy atmosphere if needed.
Australian Open Social Story
Downloading the AO Social Story before you go may help to reduce stress. It provides a simple text and visual representation of what happens or may happen at the Australian Open.
You can also download a Accessibility Map which indicates areas with ramps, sensory rooms, quiet rooms and where to find shade.
Australian Open Weather
The summer heat in Melbourne during the Australian Open can be brutal – there’s a reason it’s known for being the ‘Sweaty Slam’.
Quite often temperatures will be 30+ degrees Celsius and the UV rating is ‘Extreme’. It’s very important to bring a hat, reapply sunscreen regularly and if you can bear it, wear light clothing that covers you. And seek out shade wherever possible!
If you do forget your sunscreen, fortunately, there are lots of promotional people and stands handing out free sunscreen samples throughout Melbourne Park – so there’s no excuse not to be protected.
If the heat is getting too much then hang out in the carpeted, air-conditioned foyer area surrounding John Cain Arena.
Shopping at Australian Open
If you’re after one of those giant tennis balls (the size of a basketball) then get in quick, as they often sell out during the Australian Open!
There are 12 AO Shops around the precinct and you’ll find the largest range at Centrepiece. There’s also Click and Collect available at Kia Arena.
The other large merchandise gift shop is for Polo Ralph Lauren, which is the Official Outfitter of the Australian Open. You’ll find AO2026 commemorative and limited ranges inside their pop up store at Rod Laver Arena Terrace.
New Balance is the official Performance Apparel and Footwear provider so they also have a shop for their co-branded range.
Pro tip: We recommend a reusable water bottle from the AO26 x Waterdop collection as a functional and stylish souvenir.
Where to watch the Australian Open in Melbourne
If you’re not wanting to catch the tennis action from within Melbourne Park, there are several live sites around Melbourne where you watch matches.
Federation Square
Fed Square in partnership with Nine is set to transform into the ultimate sport-watching hotspot, broadcasting every match from Round 1 to the Finals on the big screen.
From the finals weekend, (and continuing until the end of Summer), attendees will be able to enjoy refreshing drinks while catching the games with an ice block pop up in the main square.
The District Docklands
District Live will be hosted at The District Docklands under the wheel with a pop-up bar and free screen live streaming the tennis, plus lots of games and activities to keep you busy all day.
More summer holiday ideas in Melbourne
Free water play in Melbourne & Regional Victoria
Best outdoor pools in Melbourne
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